Emil began his life in Canada working as a mechanic and learning English.
Son, Ron, was born in Montreal in 1969.
Susana and Ron
In 1970 the family moved to Woodstock, Ontario
Emil started working for Timberjack testing and designing harvesting equipment. He was co-inventor for this articulating tractor patent.
Emil finished flight training, obtained his Private Pilot License, and purchased his first aircraft, a Cessna 150.
Emil learned of a contract to supply vineyard posts to an American company. He modified equipment to de-bark and sharpen the posts and fulfilled the contract while still working full time.
Vineyard post project
Vineyard post project completion
In 1975 the family prepared to move to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
At the going away party there wasn't enough seating for everyone so Emil improvised.
Several trips with the 5 ton truck were needed to move everything from Woodstock to Thunder Bay, including Emil's new Zetor tractor.
During one of the long trips the engine in the 5 ton truck gave out. Emil found a new motor and installed it on the spot.
Emil began teaching forest mechanization at Lakehead University in 1975 and was a pioneer in biomass utilization in Northwestern Ontario - including systems for wood gasification and forest harvest debris utilization for centralized heating systems.
Wood powered truck project at Lakehead University
Wood powered generator project at Lakehead University
In 1977 the family moved from the city to a 50 acre farm in Slate River
Emil's Father came to visit from Czechoslovakia