Emil (Popsie) Fikar went to his rest, peacefully, August 15, 2009 at the age of 85. Surrounded by his loving family, Emil died at his home after deteriorating health.  Emil was a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Born in Manhattan, New York on March 16, 1924, he was the son of Louis and Emily Zemek Fikar, immigrants from Czechoslovakia.

Undoubtedly, the greatest love of his life was his wife, Margaret Veronica Fenush, whom he married on October 23, 1948 in Grassflat, Pennsylvania . After being together for more than 48 years, they are now happily reunited. Margaret died on September 11, 1996.

Emil entered the US Navy in October 1942 and trained as a Radioman at the University of Chicago. He served on the USS Chalcedony, an escort ship, PYC 16 for 2 years in the Pacific. On tour, he saw the Aleutian Islands to Midway on weather and escort duty.  He was subsequently assigned to Group 13 Pacific which consisted of 2 divisions of Marines that were scheduled to invade Japan. The war ended and Emil went to Northern China near Tensing. Emil was honorably discharged in January 1946 returning to New York City. Emil and his family moved to Stormville in 1959.

He was admired and respected as a law enforcement officer for 43 years. Emil proudly served with the N.Y.C. Police Department from 1948 to 1969 both in uniform and plain clothes. He retired as a Sergeant in 1969 from the 7th Precinct that services the lower east side of Manhattan. After he put his 20 years in with the NYPD, he took a position with the Duchess County Sheriff's Department under Sheriff Lawrence Quinlan, achieving the ranking of Detective Sergeant and retiring with 23 years of service in 1991. Current Sheriff, Adrian "Butch" Anderson, was a detective under the supervision of Detective Sergeant Fikar!

Emil is survived by his children, Daniel Fikar and his wife Sharon of Stormville, Susan Blount and her husband Frederick of Austin, Texas, Renee Fikar of Tivoli and Emil Fikar Jr. and his wife Debbie of Rosendale; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Emil had a brother, Charles, twin brother, best friend and travel buddy, Louis, and sister, Mary Kamensky, that had predeceased him. Emil also had a great-grandson that predeceased him.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 20, from 2  to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 21, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 3 West Main Street, Suite 208, Elmsford, NY 10523, Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538 or East Fishkill Rescue Squad, PO Box 413, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533.