Obituary of Bruce M. Pollack

Bruce Pollack, age 50, passed away unexpectedly in his home, in the village of Monticello on Sunday, March 18, 2012. The son of Martin and Honey (Abenmoha) Pollack, he was born March 23, 1961. He grew up in the villages of Liberty and Monticello of Sullivan County. At the age of 20, as his father and grandfather did before him, he joined the Navy. He wanted to serve his country and see the world. Bruce saw active duty overseas and achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. He retired in 2001 and continued working for the Navy as an electrical engineering technician in Engleside, Texas for five years. He returned home, to the mountains of Sullivan County, to live for the remainder of his life. He is survived by his wife, Angela Pollack and children Damien, Chermaine and Shane of Pascagoula, Mississippi. He is also survived by children Felici, David and five grandchildren of San Diego, California. He leaves behind sister, Helene and husband Howard Perlman of Monticello, sister Robyn and husband David Beebe of Port Washington, and brother, Alan Pollack and wife Kathy of Little Rock, Arkansas, and eleven nieces and nephews. Bruce loved spending time with family in Monticello. He pitched in and helped his family whenever possible and especially liked helping them with gardening and planting. Bruce truly had a green thumb; every shrub or tree he planted is healthy and flourishing. He took great joy in playing with his young nieces and nephews; he was young at heart. Friends and family will remember Bruce best as a wonderful storyteller who's greatest reward was to see people laugh. He would charm and intrigue listeners with tales from his travels, from the Middle East to Australia, and lands between. He loved trading personal life stories with people from all walks of life. It was a talent that served him well, in most recent years, as a local taxi driver. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and knew that every person who rode in his cab also had an interesting story of their own to tell. Bruce made an impression on all who met him; his loving spirit and energy will be very much missed. Funeral services for Bruce will be held at 1:00 PM., Friday, March 23, at Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 388 Broadway, Monticello. A private burial at the Ahavath Israel Cemetery, on Ha-Sa-Na Road , Liberty, will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello. For further information or to leave an online condolence visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com