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John Pola Obituary

John Pola

Alameda native John Pola died Tuesday, May 12th at the age of 67. Mr. Pola was the owner of Pola Bear Toys in Redding, CA, from 1978 to 1985. He later joined Jelly Belly Candy Co. as Vice-President of Specialty Sales in 2003 and was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the confectionery industry. Mr. Pola is survived by his wife, Connie, and their daughter, Katy. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations dedicated to the memory of John Pola to the following charities:

UCSF Interstitial Lung Disease Gift Fund

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals Foundation

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 20 to May 24, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Pola

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Steve Sorensen

April 5, 2022

Hadn´t heard of John´s passing. So sad to hear. He was one of the funniest guys I´ve ever known. I remember high school parties at his house and creepy nighttime visits to the family mortuary business. A lot of great memories.

Melissa Holmes Snyder

July 30, 2020

I knew John and his family from our childhood in Camp Meeker. He grew up in Alameda and I in SF, but we spent our summers at the Russian River. He was such a sweet and fun person as a kid. (He was the first boy who ever kissed me, then invited me to his 13th birthday party). From reading the other comments, it seems that he stayed kind and fun loving throughout his life. To his family, i am so sorry for your loss.

Nickie Cunningham

May 29, 2020

Connie, We were so sorry to hear when Julie told us. He was definitely very special to her and always smiling in our brief encounters with him. Our hearts and prayers are with you, Katy, and the rest of the family.
Nickie and Al Cunningham

Patricia Schantin-Kendall

May 28, 2020

A Truly Wonderful Soul who shall be greatly missed by all who knew him

Debbie Lemos- Ciulla

May 28, 2020

My heart is so sad to hear about Johns passing. I have the fondest memories working for him and Connie at Pola Bear Toys. One of them is the first day gummy bears came out and we all are so many we got stomach aches before closing for the day. My thoughts and prayers are with you Connie and the rest of your family.

Diane Rourke Martlaro

May 28, 2020

I have such fond memories of your John from our grade school at St. Joes and high school at AHS. He was such a dear person, hilarious and kind. Very kind. He made me laugh a lot. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad he was here to share his magical, twinkling eyes with the world. God bless

Tom and Shirley Barth

May 28, 2020

Connie and Katy, we are deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. We remember wonderful, fun times with John in the Holy Rosary community in Woodland. He was truly a natural, charismatic leader who filled every place he entered with joy and good will. Please accept our care and sympathies for you in this time of sadness.

Barbara Jones McCullough

May 27, 2020

Always smiling, he loved everyone and everyone loved him. My heart is heavy to hear this sad loss. To his wife, he will be waiting for you.

Tana Sweeney

May 27, 2020

I was a very shy person in school and I remember wishing that I could be as carefree and charismatic as John was. I wasnt in his circle of friends at school but he was someone Ive always remembered fondly. Im sure hes still making everyone smile in heaven. RIP

Roger Funk

May 26, 2020

Connie, I am sad to hear of John passing. when you lose a loved one you spent every day loving and being with, it leaves an empty spot in your heart that you feel every day, it is the love and joy that they blessed our life with that will carry you forward, god bless.

May 25, 2020

Hi Connie...It's been a long time since Pola Bear was in Redding. I have thought about you and John and where you eventually 'landed' after moving from town. Yours was a unique store and you guys were a joy to be associated with. Thank you for adding John's story to Redding.com. I'm so sorry for your loss. Rod Long

Jeanne Locatelli

May 24, 2020

Dear Connie & Katy ~ So sad to learn of John's passing. He was a kind and wonderful man, loved his sense of humor...I never forget his set of wacky false teeth and the stories of jokes he would pull on people with them. His visits to the Holy Rosary School office were always a treat and lots of laughs! Thoughts and prayers for you both. Fondly, Jeanne

Jim Murphy

May 24, 2020

Connie, I was sorry to learn of Johns passing. John was really a special person. John was a joy to work with, he always brought fun and energy to everything he touched. Working with him on countless sales promotions and sales meeting are some of my fondest and rewarding memories. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed.

Beth (Bales) Taft

May 23, 2020

Connie, I know we havent been in touch , but I am so sad at the loss of your husband. I list my Randy at 65 and have been without him for 5 years. I am available any time you want to talk. This is the hardest .. not many of us lose our loved one this early ..

Michelle Gill Lennon

May 22, 2020

Connie and Katy.
I was so saddened to read of Johns passing. I have such wonderful memories of his infectious laugh and smile. He was such a fun loving and kind man. There was never a dull moment when John was around!. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.

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