GLOUCESTER – Donald F. “Don” Pollard, 71, died peacefully at his residence, Sunday, January 26, 2014, after a courageous, and at times feisty, battle with cancer. He was the husband of Minnie R. (Sheehan) Pollard.
Born in Newburyport on December 16, 1942, he was the son of the late Charles A. Pollard, Sr. and Ruth H. A. (Denningham) Castan.
Don attended public schools in Ipswich, Newburyport and Gloucester until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1962. He was honorably discharged in May of 1966, having proudly served aboard the USS Boston.
He worked for the Cape Ann Anchor and Forge in Gloucester from 1966 until it closed in the mid 80’s. He then went on to work for the City of Gloucester, Department of Public Works until his retirement in 2012. Don was a past Commander of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion, a longtime member of the Amvets Post #32 and a member of the Doucette-Linguard VFW Post #1624.
In his younger days, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and being outdoors. However, what brought him the most joy was being with his family and friends.
In addition to his wife of 24 years, he is survived by his daughters, Heidi (Pollard), wife of Roland Morin of Rockport and Brenda Russell; a son, Christopher, husband of Serafina (Trupiano) Russell all of Gloucester; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Stacey and Brittany Whitten, all of Rockport, and Daniel Zurbigg of Gloucester; two great-grandchildren, Madison Slier and Ryan Cotton; six brothers, George, Peter, Bruce, Roger, Herbert and Daniel Pollard; four sisters, Dorothy and Grace Pollard, Mary Glidden and Pauline Fowler; sisters-in-law, Ruth Judd, Patricia Williamson and Nancy Pratt; brothers-in-law, Benjamin Sheehan, Thomas Sheehan and his wife, Margaret, John Sheehan and his wife, Kaarin, Frank Sheehan and his wife, Barbara, Richard Sheehan and his wife, Pat, Patrick Sheehan and his wife, Joan and many nieces, nephews, coworkers and friends. He was also predeceased by three brothers, Charles A. “Chuck”, Jr., Paul R. “Dick”, Don’s infant twin, David P. Pollard and a sister, Abby Pollard.
His funeral service will be held on Thursday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Highland Cemetery, Ipswich.