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Michael Stewart Duncan Pollock

1942 - 2025

Michael Stewart Duncan Pollock obituary, 1942-2025, Lee, MA

BORN

1942

DIED

2025

UPCOMING SERVICE

Memorial Service

Oct. 15, 2025

11:00 a.m.

Hope Church

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Michael Pollock Obituary

Michael Stewart Duncan Pollock, 82, died on September 15, 2025, after battling cancer for three years. Known as Duncan, he was a resident of Lee, MA, where he lived for many years with his life partner, Karen Carhart, and his beloved dachshunds. In addition to Karen, he is survived by two sons: Michael of Richmond, VA., and Jack and his wife, Kristin Briggs of Astoria, NY, as well as siblings: Pam Howard of Portland, OR, and Jud S. Pollock of Denver, CO. He was predeceased by his brother Raymond.

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> Duncan grew up in Darien, CT. He attended and graduated from the Kent School and later earned a BA in Art History from Yale University. After college, he took a job as Director of Admissions at St. Stephen's, an international school in Rome, Italy. Later, he moved to Colorado, where he worked as a reporter and columnist for the DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS and a contributing editor for ART NEWS and ART IN AMERICA. He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Colorado before returning to New York to earn an MBA at NYU's Stern School.

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> Duncan had a distinguished career in advertising, first at Young & Rubicam and later as CEO of Ammirati & Puris New York, overseeing a 750-person operation before becoming president of a private equity-sponsored branding firm. In retirement, Duncan consulted for GE, an insurance company, and served on museum and school boards, including the Norman Rockwell Museum and St. Stephen's as well as church and tennis committees locally.

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A true Renaissance man, Duncan was a gourmet cook and wine connoisseur, and until recent years, he ran a website, Chow Guys, which specialized in sharing food and recipes. As a cook, he preferred to use his own home-grown herbs and vegetables. He enjoyed martinis and cooking often for family and friends. Later, he spent three years researching his family's generational genetic disposition and authored THE RUBICAM WOMEN, as well as contributing to THE CHRISTIAN CHOICE. A competitive tennis player since his teenage years, Duncan delighted in winning championships until three years ago, when he and Karen began playing golf together. Exploring their individual lifelong passions for art, church history, languages, and international living and travel, they shared that enthusiasm with a wide circle of friends both locally and globally.

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> Memorial service will be held: Wednesday, October 15, at 11:00 at Hope Church, 259 Kemble Street, POB 121, Lenox, MA. 01240

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> Donations in Duncan's name can be made to St. Stephen's School, Via Aventina 3, 00153 Rome, Italy, Hope Church POB 121, Lenox, MA. 01240

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

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Sep. 20, 2025.

Memorial Events
for Michael Pollock

Oct

15

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Hope Church

259 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Pollock

Sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle.

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13 Entries

Curtis Gary

October 9, 2025

Very sad to learn of my old Darien friend has passed. We played many great tennis marathons at WeeBurn. And would sneak him a beer after. Knew Pam, Tuffy, M/M Pollock, and the great "Rooney". Our rag tag gang of Vanderkieft's, Gary's, Roger Hull, and Nick Sloan would play on Bumpalong Rd. all day. Plock, as I would call him was such a grown up teenager and wonderful to have as a friend. My sincere condolences to his family and the great memories I hope will lessen the grief.
Curt Gary

Margaret Pollock Bondy

October 7, 2025

Cousin Duncan was a multifaceted person pursuing diverse careers and deep friendships.Known for his curiosity, athleticism,warmth and courage, he maintained connections and shared memorable times with loved ones throughout his life.
So great he and Karen found each other.We enjoyed visiting with them in Charleston and the Berkshires.His presence and spirit will be sorely missed.
XO,Margie & Dick

Jud Reis

October 1, 2025

Dunc was known as Mike when I met him in 7th grade at Darien Junior High School. Tennis, trips to New York as teenagers where the drinking age was 18 and almost any fake ID worked in certain bars. Discussing politics, economics, art, friends, current events with Dunc was always stimulating, especially when we disagreed. I will always remember with admiration how he continued to do the things he loved with the people he loved after his cancer diagnosis.
he will be missed by many.

Phil Goutell

September 29, 2025

Dunc was one of the good guys.

Carolyn K Brancato

September 29, 2025

We are longtime and dear friends of Karen and met Duncan through her. We are so saddened by the loss of someone who was truly her soulmate. What they shared was exceptionally rare, with their love for international travel and art as well as their abiding faith that seemed to bring them even closer as Duncan valiantly struggled with his health. That these two people should have found each other in their mature years was truly a miracle and an inspiration for us all.

Diana Leung

September 29, 2025

Duncan lit up a room. He had a real knack for connecting people and was the ultimate people person. He will be truly missed.

Richard G Fabian

September 26, 2025

Very fond memories of Michael!

Margit Hotchkiss

September 22, 2025

What a joy and privilege it has been to know and work with Duncan through the last 18 years at Norman Rockwell Museum. His wisdom, savvy strategies, and creative brain provided tremendous support to our marketing efforts. His encouraging guidance and frequent praise was such a gift.
A final serendipitous honor would be paid to his ultimate contribution to NRM; the mission statement that he crafted- was installed on the lobby entry wall on Thursday. I did not learn of his passing until Friday while gathered with many of his fellow trustees. So bittersweet.

A special memory for me : when the Museum was interviewing marketing and branding firms ahead of our international touring exhibition of the Four Freedoms; Duncan (a true Mad Man) hustled us through an NYC agency search. It was inspiring, thrilling, and fruitful.

His adoration for his sons was always present. How wonderful to have such love, passion, and enjoyment of life with Karen, his family, friends, and pups. What a legacy he leaves!
My sincere condolences.
Margit Hotchkiss

Kate Fischer

September 21, 2025

What a brilliant, creative, and warm man. His good looks and abundant charm were just the surface. Underneath was a true mensch- a true gentleman. We send condolences to his sons, Michael and Jack- and to his loving partner, Karen. May his memory be a blessing.
Xo Kate and Rick Fischer

Bob Stringer and Diane Hessan

September 21, 2025

We will always remember and treasure Dunc´s intellect, his love of art and the many lively conversations we had. Bob and Diane

Christopher Kirkland

September 20, 2025

My oldest friend and compatriot from pre-Kent, through Yale, Rome, NYC, Denver, and back to Italy too short a time ago. When I grow up, I want to be like Duncan. Blessings to Karen, a more appropriate companion I could not imagine. Ciao, Bello.

Bob Howard

September 20, 2025

My memories of cocktails, barbecues, hikes, and great times together will live forever. Happy trails. Love, Bob Howard

Michael Cosby

September 20, 2025

Thoughts and prayers, RIP

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