Obituary of William K. Pollert

William “Karl” Pollert, 90, died peacefully at home in Burlington Mass on June 26, 2024. 

Karl was a son of the late Maria and Bill Pollert, born and raised in Miami Florida with his older brother Edwin.  As a boy he enjoyed rural life, fishing with his Daddy and helping raise chickens.  He worked in the family bakery and attended baking school in Minnesota.  He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.  The war ended before he could be deployed overseas, so he spent several months in Staten Island.  He loved his time in New York, quite different from small town Florida.

Karl moved to New England in 1959 and raised three daughters – Kathy Pollert, Diane Harrington, and Lisa Nadolny.  He attended Northeastern University – 7 years of night classes – to build a better life for his family.  He graduated with an MIS degree and entered the burgeoning computer field, eventually landing at Wang Computer, where he spent almost 20 years.

He married his great love Joanne in 1976.  This added Michael Turco and Mitchell Mansfield to the family.  Karl and Joanne shared love, laughter, and adventures for 36 years.  They are now happily reunited again.

Karl had many hobbies including his pets, gardening, bowling, and his weekly poker game.  He was a great lover of learning, science, nature, and the outdoors.  He loved road trips, especially travelling backroads and searching for the unusual and unexpected.   

Many will remember his colorful Orange and Turquoise sports attire.  He was the absolute definition of a dedicated lifelong sports fan, and his teams were the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins.  An adventurer to the end – Karl whitewater rafted in his 60s, went skydiving at age 75, and traveled the intracoastal waterway from Boston to Florida 7 times in his 80s!

His other great love was his large, blended family, who called him “Papa”.   Pollerts, Ciccones, Harringtons, Nadolnys, Turcos, Mansfields, Giampapas and Eatons – altogether and including their spouses Papa had 10 children, 19 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.  He loved them all and they adored him in return – especially games he invented just for them - The Claw, the Steamroller, his Christmas Eve “left, right” tradition and Susie the monkey puppet.

Papa was a huge part of many lives and will be greatly missed.

Arrangements: Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Friday June 28^th from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.  His Funeral Mass will be held at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Saturday, June 29^th at 10 a.m.  Military honors will be held immediately following Mass outside of St. Margaret’s Church.