VALE JOHN MICHAEL "JAY" POLLINGER SR. : 1926-2013
Sadly I must report the death of John Michael "Jay" Pollinger Sr. who peacefully passed away on 8 June 8 2013, aged 87, with his loving family by his side. Jay married Elizabeth Speakman (a great grand daughter of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods) in June 1949 and together they raised five children while enjoying 62 years of marriage prior to her passing in July of 2011. Jay and Betty were part of the large extended Carrucan family living in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. He is survived by his children John M. Pollinger, Jr. (Gail), Christopher Pollinger, Deborah Buckels (Jeffrey), Mary Ellen Manley (John) and Lisa Ciminello; his 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Jay's daughter Mary Ellen Manley emailed us in June 2013 to tell us of the passing of her father. She wrote
It is
with a sadden heart that I send this email. My Dad passed away on
Saturday, June 8th. He fell on May 5 and fractured his hip while
getting ready for bed. He had surgery the following day, was in
the hospital and then a rehab facility. He then developed a
Urinary Tract Infection, high fever and was returned back to the
hospital. Dad also had problems with dehydration off and on for
years which was a complication during his illness. The Wednesday before
he passed, we received a call from the rehab facility that his
respiration numbers were low and didn’t look good. We rushed to
his side and he was not conscious and he was taken back to the
hospital. He never regained consciousness and passed away at 5:07
pm on Saturday.
We were fortunate to have Dad an extra two years after Mom passed (she will be gone two years this July 3rd). Both Mom and Dad led a wonderful life! They raised five children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They traveled, danced and enjoyed life! They did have health issues, but they didn’t let it keep them in – they still went out and did things! As Mom would tell me over and over – “I have plenty of time to sit and relax when I am on the other side of the dirt, now I am going out and enjoying life!” And boy did she ever! They both enjoyed life! They always enjoyed time with their family and friends!
Dad’s birthday was in March – he turned 87 years old. We celebrated Dad’s birthday with my sons and their families. Dad was blowing out his candles surrounded by my son Matt’s 3 girls (Olivia, Emma and Alaina). Dad kept staring at Alaina (2 ½ years old) as she was singing Happy Birthday Pop Pop. He kept saying “how old is she?” Alaina would climb up on Dad’s lap and “read” books to him! Now “we” know she wasn’t reading to him, but she thought she was!
We were fortunate to have Dad an extra two years after Mom passed (she will be gone two years this July 3rd). Both Mom and Dad led a wonderful life! They raised five children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They traveled, danced and enjoyed life! They did have health issues, but they didn’t let it keep them in – they still went out and did things! As Mom would tell me over and over – “I have plenty of time to sit and relax when I am on the other side of the dirt, now I am going out and enjoying life!” And boy did she ever! They both enjoyed life! They always enjoyed time with their family and friends!
Dad’s birthday was in March – he turned 87 years old. We celebrated Dad’s birthday with my sons and their families. Dad was blowing out his candles surrounded by my son Matt’s 3 girls (Olivia, Emma and Alaina). Dad kept staring at Alaina (2 ½ years old) as she was singing Happy Birthday Pop Pop. He kept saying “how old is she?” Alaina would climb up on Dad’s lap and “read” books to him! Now “we” know she wasn’t reading to him, but she thought she was!
Below is Jay's obituary.
John Michael Pollinger, Sr. "Jay"
Peacefully passed away on June 8, 2013 with his loving family by his side. He was 87.
Jay graduated from Salesianum High School in 1944, and shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Army during World War II. He proudly served as an artillery sergeant in the "Battle of the Bulge". He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Speakman, in June 1949 and raised five children while enjoying 62 years of marriage prior to her passing in July of 2011.
After first working at the American Stores in Wilmington, he later worked as a supervisor for Electric Hose & Rubber until its closing in the mid 70s. He then became an automotive salesman at Van's Chevrolet/Greytak and NuCar Chevrolet and office manager at Francis Pollinger & Son Roofing. Jay was a great man and well-respected by everyone.
Jay, along with his wife Betty, was a member of St. John the Beloved Parish for over 50 years. He served as President of the Athletic Association, and was very involved in the church's carnivals and bingos. He attended annual weekend retreats to Malvern, PA.
He was a member of the New Castle County Irish Society, Irish Culture Club of Delaware and was active in the Pinecrest Civic Association. Jay and Betty enjoyed many trips to Ireland, as well as cruises to Bermuda and trips to Boston. Dad made time to attend his grandchildren's sporting events, dance recitals and school activities, and was always there to give a pat on the back or a laugh if you needed it.
Jay also enjoyed everything Notre Dame and the Phillies but, most of all, Jay loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished the time spent with his family.
In addition to Betty, Jay was predeceased by his parents, Julius and Nellie Grady Pollinger, and his siblings Helen Zelazny, Mary Berster, Julia Malinowski, Joseph Pollinger and Francis Pollinger. He is survived by his children John M. Pollinger, Jr. (Gail), Christopher Pollinger, Deborah Buckels (Jeffrey), Mary Ellen Manley (John) and Lisa Ciminello; his 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
The family wishes to thank Honey and her staff at Evergreen Adult Day Care for the outstanding care given to Dad during the past two years and to Dr. Gilani for always being there to respond to our questions and concerns for Dad.
Family and friends may visit at Mealey Funeral Homes, Limestone and Milltown Roads, Wilmington, DE, on Thursday, June 13, from 6-8 pm and Friday, June 14, from 10-11 am. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, on Friday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
Peacefully passed away on June 8, 2013 with his loving family by his side. He was 87.
Jay graduated from Salesianum High School in 1944, and shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Army during World War II. He proudly served as an artillery sergeant in the "Battle of the Bulge". He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Speakman, in June 1949 and raised five children while enjoying 62 years of marriage prior to her passing in July of 2011.
After first working at the American Stores in Wilmington, he later worked as a supervisor for Electric Hose & Rubber until its closing in the mid 70s. He then became an automotive salesman at Van's Chevrolet/Greytak and NuCar Chevrolet and office manager at Francis Pollinger & Son Roofing. Jay was a great man and well-respected by everyone.
Jay, along with his wife Betty, was a member of St. John the Beloved Parish for over 50 years. He served as President of the Athletic Association, and was very involved in the church's carnivals and bingos. He attended annual weekend retreats to Malvern, PA.
He was a member of the New Castle County Irish Society, Irish Culture Club of Delaware and was active in the Pinecrest Civic Association. Jay and Betty enjoyed many trips to Ireland, as well as cruises to Bermuda and trips to Boston. Dad made time to attend his grandchildren's sporting events, dance recitals and school activities, and was always there to give a pat on the back or a laugh if you needed it.
Jay also enjoyed everything Notre Dame and the Phillies but, most of all, Jay loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished the time spent with his family.
In addition to Betty, Jay was predeceased by his parents, Julius and Nellie Grady Pollinger, and his siblings Helen Zelazny, Mary Berster, Julia Malinowski, Joseph Pollinger and Francis Pollinger. He is survived by his children John M. Pollinger, Jr. (Gail), Christopher Pollinger, Deborah Buckels (Jeffrey), Mary Ellen Manley (John) and Lisa Ciminello; his 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
The family wishes to thank Honey and her staff at Evergreen Adult Day Care for the outstanding care given to Dad during the past two years and to Dr. Gilani for always being there to respond to our questions and concerns for Dad.
Family and friends may visit at Mealey Funeral Homes, Limestone and Milltown Roads, Wilmington, DE, on Thursday, June 13, from 6-8 pm and Friday, June 14, from 10-11 am. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, on Friday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
Tim Erickson
17 July 2013