Michael "Mike" Robert Pollica, 72, drew his last breath at 2:30 am on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Wolf River Farm in Plainfield, Vermont. Mike was held close and comforted by his wife of 52 years, his two daughters and two eldest grandkids. He was able to transition in the peace and comfort of his 1836 farmhouse on East Hill Road; his family's home since 1985. Two silent sentinels, Spruce Mountain and Bald Hill, kept watch over him as he made his way to the sparkling heavens.
Mike was diagnosed with stage-two adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in July, 2017. He and his family were hopeful that with treatment, his condition would improve and extend time with family and friends. And so with great hopes and careful consideration, Mike made the decision to commence chemotherapy. Once this approach was no longer effective in stunting tumor growth and the side effects became unbearable, treatment was terminated and palliative care with the support of Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice was implemented. Mike's desire to stay in his home would not have been possible without his wife Judy's unfaltering dedication to his health and quality of life and stringent adherence to his end-of- life preferences.
Mike was born October 22, 1945, in Brattleboro, VT to Robert L. and Barbara LaDuke Pollica. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1963, and from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1969 with a BA in Business Administration and a certificate in accounting. He married Judy Allen in September, 1966 in Springfield, VT. After working in financial services for Oxford Industries in Atlanta for ten years, he was employed by the State of Vermont AOT in several managerial positions in financial services from 1983 until his retirement in 2007.
Mike was a man of many strengths and endless interests. He was a Civil War history buff, and assisted a friend in writing and publishing a Civil War armaments volume. He was a neighborhood jogger, fitness club tennis player and talented turkey whisperer. He fed (and named) wild turkeys in his backyard and had several eating from his hand. What saved us all was his sense of humor.
Mike enjoyed a lifetime of music. Whether playing his guitar and harmonica, or listening to Bob Dylan, John Denver, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Johnny Cash, or Willie Nelson, he expressed enthusiasm and joy which was shared with family, friends, and especially his grandchildren. On Christmas Day, 2017, he played the ukelele for his grandkids.
Mike was a rugged outdoorsman and grew up deer hunting in southern Vermont with his father, uncles, and cousins. For many years, he hunted rabbits with his favorite coonhound, Sunny, by his side. His adventures with Sunny kept his family entertained for years.
Michael also had a somewhat unexpected eye for beauty and a lifelong appreciation for nature which he instilled first in his daughters and then in his grandchildren. From the top of Spruce Mountain he would say to the kids, "Just look at those colors," as they were wonderstruck at the 360 degree blue and purple mountains fading into the distance that they had climbed all the way up to see. When he looked across his field to Bancroft Pond, he saw more than a small body of water; he saw a jewel whose beauty was unparalleled.
During his last years, his love of boats and fishing gave him more excitement and adventures with friends and family. Mike was thankful for his First Mate, Ryan, who became his number-one fishing buddy and son-in-law. Two for the price of one. The highlight of the year was his annual trip to Western New York to fish the spring run of King Salmon in Lake Ontario. The anticipation of the trip would have Mike telling fishing stories to those around him for months in advance. His tales would come with a contagious smile that could light up the room around him.
This is the wonder and charm of Michael Pollica, a man who loved his life, his friends, and above all, cherished his family. We love you so much, Bapa. The lake is calling, and you must go.
Michael is preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Pollica; cousins George Moore, Paula Chickering, Gail Chickering; and Uncle Albert Gallagher.
He is survived by his mother, Barbara Pollica; wife, Judy Pollica; daughters, Lara and Sarah Pollica (Ryan Christiansen); grandkids, Autumn Rose Hunsinger, Jesse Michael James, Isabella Michelle Conway, Lila Jude Christiansen-Pollica and Georgia Saoirse Christiansen-Pollica; siblings, Carol Allen and Kathleen Gouger (Jack Gouger); niece Melanie Macie; nephews Jack Gouger and David Stillings; and numerous cousins with whom he shared his earlier years.
Michael Pollica's life will be celebrated the summer of 2018. Details will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are in the care of the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street, Barre, VT.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com
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Published in Brattleboro Reformer on Feb. 9, 2018
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