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John (Jack) Pollard III
John Pollard III had a fierce loyalty to Altamont. Known to friends as “Jack,” Mr. Pollard died peacefully on Friday, June 24, 2022. He was 89. He and his wife hosted diners at their Home Front Café in what at times felt like the village’s living room, a place where people gathered and shared a sense of community. Mr. Pollard was also an active member of the Altamont Volunteer Fire Department for over 70 years. He “spent his lifetime selflessly giving back to the community ….,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He cherished his family and friends and will be missed by many.” Mr. Pollard served in the National Guard for nine years, his family said, and especially loved being a member of NY-Penn Military Vehicle Collectors Club. He was born on Feb. 17, 1933 in Tarrytown, New York, a son of the late John and Marie Pollard. The Pollard family moved to Altamont in December 1943. Mr. Pollard told The Enterprise in 2020 that he had grown up in Altamont during its heyday. The Pollards lived at 123 Prospect Terrace in the village, a Victorian home built in 1885, which Mr. Pollard described as “a showplace, a palace.” He went on, “It had high ceilings, a built-in ice box, and was the first house in Altamont with central steam heat, the second house to get electricity.” His parents were icons in Altamont. John Pollard had a fuel company in the village and served as Altamont’s fire chief. Marie Pollard was active in St. Lucy’s Church, cooking at the church restaurant when the Altamont Fair was held. Mr. Pollard named all the many businesses in the village in his youth. “This was a booming, money-making village,” he said two years ago. “Now it’s nothing but a bedroom village.” Mr. Pollard, though, developed many businesses of his own. Among them, he started Pollard Excavating together with his son in 1984, where he spent many hours doing what he loved, his family said. He met Clinda Wellisch, the woman who would become his wife, through her uncle. “I seen a picture of her when she was 5 or 6 and I was 10 or 12. I never thought I’d meet her,” he said. Mr. Pollard said of himself and his wife, “We both grew up in the Depression and World War II.” Mrs. Pollard had grown up in Albany. Mr. Pollard went on, “I picked my wife up in Albany and married her. She fit right in with the community.” Together, they ran the café on Main Street, a popular eatery featuring World War II memorabilia and honoring veterans, which closed in the midst of the pandemic. Cindy Pollard modeled the café after her mother’s kitchen — complete with a mid-century stove and 1940s patterned tablecloths. |
The Andrews Sisters crooned “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” in the background as diners decided between The Victory Garden veggie burger and The MacArthur grilled chicken.
Historic military vehicles from Mr. Pollard’s collection were sometimes displayed outside the café.
Cindy Pollard brought in school kids to talk to World War II veterans. She raised funds for the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., hosting a canteen that involved the entire village. Last month, she was the grand marshal of Altamont’s Memorial Day parade.
“I bought it in 1978,” Mr. Pollard said of the building that housed the café. “First it was the Altamont Restaurant, then Cindy’s Country Kitchen,” said Mr. Pollard. The family business, Pollard Disposal, had its office in the building, too.
Judy Slack, a neighbor of the Pollards on Leesome Lane for 35 years, described Mr. Pollard as very friendly. “If you ever asked for a favor, he’d be there with a truck,” she said. “Even if he was feeling
terrible, he’d be up. He wouldn’t make his problem yours.”
Mrs. Slack hosts an annual neighborhood picnic and said that, at those gatherings, “People surrounded Jack. He’d be telling stories … He had a great sense of humor.”
“We had a great time,” said Mr. Pollard, reflecting on years of running the Home Front Café with his wife. Last year, Mr. and Mrs. Pollard were each given New York State Senate Commendation Award medals, recognizing them for their years of dedication to veterans, centered around their legendary café.
“We did some great things …,” said Mr. Pollard. “How many people have met a Medal of Honor recipient? We had four of ’em come to our establishment — the first one from World War II and the first one from the Vietnam War.
“They became personal friends. I’ve lost ’em all now,” Mr. Pollard said in 2020, the year the café closed. “The last one passed away last fall.”
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John Pollard III is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clinda “Cindy” Wellisch Pollard, and by their three sons, John Pollard, Eric Pollard and his wife, Carol, and Marc Pollard and his wife, Wendy.
He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Nichole, Samantha, Amanda, Adam, Ashley, Evan, and Emily, and by his three great-grandchildren, Kaelan, Anthea, and Chloe.
He is survived, too, by his sister, Michele Wever, and her husband, Ralph; by his two brothers, Thomas Pollard, and James Pollard and his wife, Ruth; and by many nieces and nephews.
His twin sisters, Sheila Bishop and Maureen Johnson, died before him.
Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial gathering on July 31 from noon to 4 p.m. when Mr. Pollard’s family will be hosting an open house with refreshments. The gathering will be held at the American
Legion Helderberg Post 977 at 988 Altamont Blvd. in Altamont.
Historic military vehicles from Mr. Pollard’s collection were sometimes displayed outside the café.
Cindy Pollard brought in school kids to talk to World War II veterans. She raised funds for the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., hosting a canteen that involved the entire village. Last month, she was the grand marshal of Altamont’s Memorial Day parade.
“I bought it in 1978,” Mr. Pollard said of the building that housed the café. “First it was the Altamont Restaurant, then Cindy’s Country Kitchen,” said Mr. Pollard. The family business, Pollard Disposal, had its office in the building, too.
Judy Slack, a neighbor of the Pollards on Leesome Lane for 35 years, described Mr. Pollard as very friendly. “If you ever asked for a favor, he’d be there with a truck,” she said. “Even if he was feeling
terrible, he’d be up. He wouldn’t make his problem yours.”
Mrs. Slack hosts an annual neighborhood picnic and said that, at those gatherings, “People surrounded Jack. He’d be telling stories … He had a great sense of humor.”
“We had a great time,” said Mr. Pollard, reflecting on years of running the Home Front Café with his wife. Last year, Mr. and Mrs. Pollard were each given New York State Senate Commendation Award medals, recognizing them for their years of dedication to veterans, centered around their legendary café.
“We did some great things …,” said Mr. Pollard. “How many people have met a Medal of Honor recipient? We had four of ’em come to our establishment — the first one from World War II and the first one from the Vietnam War.
“They became personal friends. I’ve lost ’em all now,” Mr. Pollard said in 2020, the year the café closed. “The last one passed away last fall.”
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John Pollard III is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clinda “Cindy” Wellisch Pollard, and by their three sons, John Pollard, Eric Pollard and his wife, Carol, and Marc Pollard and his wife, Wendy.
He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Nichole, Samantha, Amanda, Adam, Ashley, Evan, and Emily, and by his three great-grandchildren, Kaelan, Anthea, and Chloe.
He is survived, too, by his sister, Michele Wever, and her husband, Ralph; by his two brothers, Thomas Pollard, and James Pollard and his wife, Ruth; and by many nieces and nephews.
His twin sisters, Sheila Bishop and Maureen Johnson, died before him.
Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial gathering on July 31 from noon to 4 p.m. when Mr. Pollard’s family will be hosting an open house with refreshments. The gathering will be held at the American
Legion Helderberg Post 977 at 988 Altamont Blvd. in Altamont.
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John "Jack" Henry Gregory, Jr. of the Town of Sennett passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2017. He was 86. Jack is preceded in death by his parents John H. Gregory Sr and Iva Hoag Gregory, his younger brother G. William Gregory, and his first wife Linda L. LaPointe. Jack is survived by his wife of 48 years, Angela Maria Martino-Gregory; his younger brother Robert Gregory of Skaneateles; his four children, A. Lynne Gregory of Marcellus (Robert Farrell), John H. Gregory IV of Honolulu, HI (Jodie Eversman), Laurie L. Kulis (Michael) of Skaneateles, and Lisa H Kahle (Charles) of McGraw; and grandchildren Jack H. Gregory V, Shannon Bay Gregory, PFC Tyler M. Mix, Shelby L. (Mix) Martin (Andrew), Gabriel T. Kahle, Zachary T. Kahle, Gregory Jordan, and Jessica (Jordan) Giangreco (Kevin) as well as, great granddaughter, Aurora June. Very special children, Shawn Quiqley, Bill Perkins, and David Short.
Born in Syracuse, NY on June 19, 1931, Jack was raised in the village of Skaneateles. While personally reserved, Jack had an abiding love of his country which was the foundation stone of his character. Molded by his father's example of military service during both World War I and II, Jack himself served as a First Lieutenant (1LT USA - Engineer Corps) during the Korean War; afterwards, Jack was a life-long member of the American Legion Post 239. After the war, Jack returned to Central New York to pursue his passion for the land on his new farm along Route 20 outside Skaneateles. Jack had gotten the smell of the earth in his lungs and, whether raising first milk cows, and then later beef cattle, he was captivated by working the land. Jack affectionately referred to the farm as Poverty Acres in recognition of the financial realities of running a small farm, but Jack was by no means a poor man. Together, Jack and Angie built a welcoming tradition where their doors and kitchen were always open to friends and family. For nearly fifty years, year-round, the farm saw a near endless stream of visitors making their own memories "on the farm". The same was true on the day that Jack Gregory died when, even though his passing was sudden and on a national holiday, family and friends of all ages put aside their normal July 4th celebrations to, once more, come to the farm and honor their ties to Jack. Jack served his community as the Sennett Town Justice for 24 years. Jack's exceptional tenure was the result of dispensing common-sense justice from the bench which earned him the reputation among his fellow magistrates of being one of the "fairest judges around". Jack was also a life-long member of the Town of Sennett Fire Department with 56 years of service, 5 years of which were as the Fire Chief. Despite these accomplishments, Jack is perhaps most widely known for his collection of over a dozen vintage Korean War military vehicles (including a Walker Bulldog tank) that are exhibited at various community parades in Cayuga and Onondaga counties. Although hailing from a generation of few words, Jack would want the men who worked side by side with him in restoring these vehicles to know how grateful he was for their friendship and the memories. Jack loved this country. Jack's obituary |
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Jack Downing of North Syracuse passed away on Monday, July 11, 2016. Jack was 84. He was a long time NY-Penn member with Easy Co. Jack served in the US Marine Corps and fought at the Chosen Reservoir during the Korean War. I believe his rank was Sergeant. Many years later he retired from New Process Gear so he probably helped build the transmission or transfer cases in one of your vehicles. He was a regular at the local parades and shows often seen with his WWII USMC Jeep or 1948 Marine Corps Chevy pick-up. He hosted the club meetings in his garage about once a year, the last one being about 2 months before he left us.
photo (info corrected --->) - Leon (L) and Jack (R) at the 2015 Geneseo Airshow. Jack Downing obituary |
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John C. Kolanchick, 93, of Knox, NY, passed away peacefully Monday September 10, 2018. John's memorial service was held at the Knox Fire House. When WWII broke out he lied about his age and joined the Navy, becoming a quartermaster on a training submarine in the Atlantic. After the war John worked as a lumberjack and a truck salesman, first at International Harvester, then at Trailmobile trailers, and finally at Mack trucks where he stayed until retirement in the mid '90s. John had six sons and was the local Boy Scoutmaster of Troop 79. John was an avid member of NY-Penn's Hudson Mohawk Co. and had a passion for restoring World War II army vehicles including many trucks, a DUKW, Weasel track vehicles, and an armed half track.
John C. Kolanchick obituary |
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David M. Pozzi, 47, of Baldwinsville, passed away Saturday Feb. 12, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital from complications of a new coronary stent. Dave was born in Syracuse and worked at Orchard Earth and Pipe as a heavy equipment mechanic.
Dave was a member of the MVPA and a long time member of NY-Penn often hosting Easy Company meetings in his shop. Dave enjoyed collecting and restoring military vehicles and had a large and diverse collection including a M-59 dump truck, a 5 ton wrecker, a few M35A2's, M1009, bobbed deuce, M422 Mighty Mite, Hawk missile carrier, D8 bulldozer and about a dozen trailers. Dave had a nice old orange Chevy pickup with a trick 454. He often complained about how much gas it used but the problem may have been just a heavy right foot. He was always busy and lived life to the fullest. Dave left us much too soon and is missed by all. photo- Dave in the drivers seat of Jack Gregory's M-41 Walker Bulldog, at an Easy Company meeting hosted by Jack and Angie around 2006. David M. Pozzi obituary |
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Long time Hudson Mohawk Company club member Garry B. Neighmond left us on July 26, 2019 after a 17 year battle with cancer. He was born on November 22, 1940 to Garry Bernard Neighmond and Henrietta Baranowska Neighmond in Hackensack, NJ where he spent his early years. After a brief period in Provo, UT his parents settled on the farm in West Leyden, NY. When he wasn't doing farm work he enjoyed hiking and fishing on the property and developed a love of all things mechanical from his father. In 1959 he graduated from West Lyden Central School and left for Clarkson University. He graduated in 1964 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at Clarkson he was an active member of the OPiO fraternity, he cheered for the Clarkson hockey team at every home game and played goalie on a club hockey team.
After college he worked as a Professional Engineer at several companies including GE working on steam turbines and Hamilton Standard testing spacesuits for the Apollo missions. Later he dedicated his life to Civil Service embarking on a 35 year career with the NYS Department of Environment Conservation. His work in the Department of Air Quality greatly impacted smog reduction in New York City, bettering the health of people and the planet. During this time he also earned his MS from RPI. He loved cars, particularly restoring Land Rovers and racing MGs. He was a master carpenter who designed and built the family home with the help of family and friends. A prolific creator of fine woodworking pieces from furniture to turned bowls. He traveled extensively with family and friends on road trips across the US and Canada, Italy and Ireland. All his life he was an avid reader on a quest for knowledge believing that "life is too short for fiction". But he did make an exception for Science Fiction, and was a big fan of the book Dune by Frank Herbert. He had many other hobbies and passions including the NY-PENN Military Vehicle Collectors Club, model trains, coin and stamp collecting, gems and minerals, Star Trek and Science Fiction, RC planes, Irish music, hiking and camping in the Adirondacks, kayaking, history, photography and scouring flea markets for old tools and furniture to fix. Extremely sharp and quick witted he was making us laugh right up to the end with his dry, sarcastic sense of humor. He was never afraid to 'tell it like it is' because he loved us so much. He cared very deeply for his family and friends and was always looking out for others. Being of the toughest Irish and Polish stock there was he fought cancer for 17 years, never giving up, he completed over 77 orbits of the sun despite all odds. He is survived by his loving wife Janice Marie Hornbach, his daughter Erin Kathleen Hall (Clarkson '89 BS Mechanical Engineering) and her daughters Meghan and Jenell Hall, his son Dr. Keir Neighmond and wife Dr. Abigail Neighmond, their two daughters Hayley and Audrey Neighmond, his daughter Brie Keely Neighmond (Clarkson '04 BS Mechanical Engineering) and the family dog Brogan AKA "Rex". He is forever remembered and deeply missed. photo- Garry in a pub somewhere in Ireland. Garry's obituary |
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Chad (Charles / Boots) Waybright, age 79, of Kirkville NY, peacefully passed away Wednesday evening, November the 27th, 2019, in the presence of loved ones. Born in 1940 to Mary Elizabeth Waybright and John Jennings Waybright, Chad found an early love of drumming and, in particular, jazz music. It was a love that lasted throughout his life. After briefly attending Berklee School of Music in Boston, he then joined the United States Army in 1961. Specializing in cryptography, he was stationed in Pirmasens, Germany. He was honorably discharged in September, 1964. Chad was driven by a curiosity for anything with gears, parts, or electricity. After returning to the US and graduating from RCA Institutes in NYC he moved to Vermont and started CF Electronics, Inc. Here he sold and serviced TVs and founded and constructed local TV service for the Londonderry, VT area. For many years afterward, he worked as a lineman. But he was most passionate about Utility Equipment Resources, a company he founded to travel the country and provide linemen with thorough and effective safety training seminars.
Chad was a tinkerer and a man of many hobbies. He was proud to be involved with his local school district, East Syracuse Minoa. He joined the ES-M marching band boosters when his daughter was in the band and stayed active and on the board for many years even after she graduated. Soon into retirement he became a school bus driver for the district. He took great pleasure in riding his Harley Davidson, his John Deere, and in driving his Chevy pickup. Though he wasn't one to cook much, he made a "world famous" grilled cheese and insisted (to his children's horror) that peanut butter and pickles makes for an excellent sandwich. Later in life, Chad became passionately interested in the history of WWII. He devoured books on the topic and made trips to Europe to further study and pay his respects. He was an active member of The American Legion, American Legion Riders and the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. He became the proud owner of "The Deuce," a 1954 US Army 2 ton truck, which he personally restored back to its 1971 appearance. He took great joy in sharing its history with younger generations. He was a strong supporter of the National Museum of the US Army, The National WWII Museum, Clear Path for Veterans and Wounded Warrior Project. Chad is survived by Karen Bocchino, his partner these past 13 years. He is also survived by his son, Jeremy Waybright and his wife, Kristen Waybright, his son, Ethan Waybright, his daughter, Elizabeth Waybright Taylor and her husband, Oliver Taylor, his grandchildren Nicholas Waybright and Elliana Taylor, sisters, Joan Cullen, Deborah Heller, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and loving friends. A celebration of his life is being planned for later this spring (2020). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Clear Path for Veterans, a local non-profit that serves Veterans and their families. |
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Aussie Rob Pearson at Dave Pozzi's NY-Penn meeting
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Aussie Rob Pearson at Dave Pozzi's NY-Penn meeting
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Leon N. (Tiger) Rutkowski of North Syracuse formerly of Buffalo, Gowanda, Cuba and Ripley NY; received final clearance from the control tower and departed runway # 1 for a non stop flight into the wild blue yonder on December 1, 2021 (age 90).He was born in Buffalo on June 6th 1931. He went on permanent vacation from the New York Air National Guard (NYANG) 174th Tactical Fighter Wing " The Boys from Syracuse" at Hancock Field in April 1987 as a Personnel Superintendent in the grade of Master Sgt (E-7). He originally enlisted with the HG detachment 207th Air Service Group (NYANG) of Niagara Falls Airport on February 7th 1949 and was discharged as a private on September 16th 1949 at the convenience of the government. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 30th 1950. A veteran of the Korean War, serving in Georgia, Louisiana, French Morocco, Texas, Colorado and England with the 2nd Bomb Wing. After discharge in February 1956 he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves 455th Fighter-Bomber Wing Force in Niagara Falls and transferred to Syracuse. He enlisted in the NY Air National Guard at Hancock Field in July 1961 and was recalled to extended active military duty with the 174th Tactical Fighter Wing in October 1961 and then in August 1962 he served in Phalsbourg, France, and again in May 1968 serving at Cannon AFB, Clovis, New Mexico until December 1968. While on full time active duty in 1968, the law was changed that all air technicians became full time USAF reservists and federal employees and retained that status forever. His awards include The Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, U.S Air Force Longevity Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Medal, USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, USAF Reserve Medal with over 36 years of service.
He was employed full time as a personnel superintendent with the NY Air National Guard from 1962 until his vacation in 1987. He graduated from Cuba Central School in 1949 and Bryant and Stratton Business Institute in Buffalo with a two year degree in accounting. He was a former member of the American Legion Posts in North East, PA and North Syracuse, NY. Leon was a former member of the CNY chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Oswego County Airport Association, 174 Fighter Wing Alumni Assoc., 174 Fighter Wing Chapter 50 of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy Graduates Association. He was employed with American Grandby Co. in Liverpool and employed with the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Mattydale and Accurate Accounting and Tax Corp. in Cicero. He attended St Rose of Lima in North Syracuse. He also earned a Private Pilots License and has completed 309 hours of flying time to his credit. Leon is a member of the NY Military Vehicles Preservation Assoc. and enjoyed driving his former military vehicles during the summer months, incl. local parades, shows and swap meets in the NE. |
