Blake Emmons at the SCMA awards in 2012. (Image Credit: Facebook.)

By Cam Lee

Local Legend

‘A good man with a good heart’: Blake Emmons passes away at 81

Mar 13, 2026 | 3:58 PM

An well-known entertainer and philanthropist to residents in Nipawin and across Saskatchewan has died. 

Blake Emmons passed away earlier this week at the age of 81. 

Emmons was heavily involved in the first years of Telemiracle, helping to ensure the event’s legacy was established. 

Long-time friend Jim Chute told northeastNOW that he and Emmons were close, dating back to the early days of Telemiracle. Chute auditioned to go on Telemiracle and was turned down, and he never failed to remind Emmons of that fact. 

Locally, Emmons was instrumental in Wounded Warriors Weekend becoming a cornerstone in the Nipawin region. Chute said the idea for Wounded Warriors Weekend came about while Emmons was spending time at his fishing camp. 

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“He said ‘you know, I’d like to bring in a half dozen Wounded Warriors to give them a weekend here,” Chute explained.  

The number of Wounded Warriors grew at one point to over 160 people. 

“It was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever been involved in.” 

Emmons was a passionate fisherman. (Image Credit: Facebook.)

Chute said it was a passion project for Emmons, and the initiative has made a difference to many individuals over the years. The first event was incredibly emotional, said Chute, with many tears shed. 

“We know we saved lives that weekend,” Chute said. 

The first year of Wounded Warriors Weekend saw organizers take the warriors out fishing, and Chute said 50 people volunteered to take them out on their boats, showing the community spirit that helped so many heal. Chute told the story of a veteran that didn’t leave his apartment for three years before coming to Wounded Warriors Weekend and enjoying fishing, golfing, and most importantly, camaraderie. 

“What they find out is that there’s other people like them, a lot of them don’t know it,” said Chute. “Then they come here, and there’s lots of people like me.” 

Emmons will be sorely missed, Chute said. 

“He was a good man with a good heart, and he put his life on the line for this thing. Every minute of his day he was either talking to wounded warriors or lining it up for this year,” Chute said, noting that his organizational skills date back to his days at Telemiracle. 

“He’s done a lot for Saskatchewan, and he did a lot for Nipawin.” 

The Wounded Warriors initiative continues in the region, and the foundation continues to help veterans, first responders, and others deal with post-traumatic stress and other issues through companionship and activities. 

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com