John R. Embow, president of Grove Roofing Services and an active member of multiple roofing and construction organizations, died suddenly on Aug. 20. He was 51 years old.

Born on June 28, 1972 in Buffalo, N.Y., Embow was the eldest of three children. As reported in his obituary, he graduated from Canisius High School in 1990 and Villanova University in 1994. He initially worked in the tech industry before returning to his family’s roofing roots in Buffalo, where he joined his father at Groves Roofing Services and ultimately succeeded him as president.

According to the Groves Roofing website, Embow was active in industry groups like the National Roofing Contractors Association, where he served as a vice president as well as a director; the Roofing Alliance, the National Roofing Legal Resource Center, Alliance for Progress, Construction Exchange of Western NY, International Roofers & Waterproofers Research & Education Joint Trust Fund, and others.

Along with his industry involvement, Embow had a passion for physical fitness, frequently competing in road cycling events. He was also an avid skier and traveler. His obituary notes how, having once traveled to Nepal and Tibet on a spiritual journey, the “highest lamas, monks and nuns at the Pullahari Buddhist Monastery in Nepal are remembering John in their daily Amitabha prayers for the next 3 months.”

Survivors include his wife, Margaret "Peggy" McCarthy; and children Evelyn "Evie" and Elliott Embow; sister Alison (Chris Liang) Embow and brother Jeff (Abby) Embow; parents Robert and Andrea (nee Grove) Embow; also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tax-deductible charitable donations be directed to the Himalayan Children's Fund, Erie County SPCA or the NAMI: National Alliance for Mental Illness.