Stanley C. Pollack, the long-time president of G.M. Pollack & Sons Jewelers, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was 82. The family held a private funeral. Stan was the son of Perle and Gerald Pollack and loved them fiercely. Stan was born in Pittsburgh and moved to Maine when he was 15. He graduated from Deering High School (where he was a lineman on the football team) and then from the University of Bridgeport. During his freshman year, he met his wife, Doris Carroll – he was 18 and she was 17 – and began their 59-year romance.
Stan served in the army and was awarded the National Emergency Medal by President Kennedy. He was honorably discharged after serving during the Berlin Crisis. Stan then began to work with his father at G.M. Pollack & Sons. Starting with one store, Stan led the expansion to 14 locations throughout Maine and New Hampshire – including a corporate office. He was a Diamontologist and Gemologist. The phrase “I really want to be your Jeweler” was part of Maine’s culture, and it proudly followed him throughout his entire life. He was not just a salesman but a jewelry designer and creator who brought happiness and love to his customers. Stan held the highest offices within the jewelry industry nationally, including treasurer, vice president, and president of the National Jewelers of America. Stan was also chairman of the Diamond Council of America for two terms. He served on the board of directors for 15 years and received the Lode van Bergen medal for outstanding service to the jewelry industry. Stan also founded the Maine Jewelers Association. Stan co-founded the Jewelers For Children that raised millions of dollars within the jewelry industry for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Stan inherited his love of Jewish observances from his parents and carried that with him throughout his life. The traditions of the Jewish religion were essential to him, and he made each holiday special for his family. Sharing these experiences brought him great joy, and it was always important that his children and grandchildren continue the traditions. Stan served on the board of directors for Shaarey Tphiloh and Etz Chaim and was a member of Temple Beth El and Vermont’s Shir Shalom. He was also a prominent supporter of the Chabad of Maine. Stan had a deep-rooted love for the Jewish community of Maine and the continuation of Jewish Education held a special place in Stan’s heart. He was one of the co-founders with his wife Doris of the K’ton Ton Nursery School and the Levy Day School. He led several Israeli Bond Drives and helped rebuild Portland’s Jewish Cemetery.
Stan was a wonderfully unique husband, father, and grandfather. He married Doris J. Carroll in 1962, and they celebrated 59 loved-filled years together. They raised two sons, David and Sam, and are blessed with two daughters-in-law, Agnes and Stacey, and two grandchildren, Sage and Boden. Family was everything to Stan, and he would make any professional or personal sacrifice for any one of them.
Stan was predeceased by his sister, Betsi Messier and survived by his sister, Leiba Frankel, brothers-in-law Marshall Frankel and Raymond Messier; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Three special furry friends were an important part of his life, Timmy, Willi, and Bella. Stan was a role model to his sons, and despite his business workload, he never missed a game or event in which his sons participated.
Stan had a tremendous love of Maine and believed strongly in giving back to its communities. He was on the board of directors of Maine Health and hosted the yearly Barbara Bush Golf Tournament. Stan also served on the board of directors for the Children’s Miracle Network. At Christmas, he would dress as Santa at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and be followed by some of his employees who appeared as elves. One year he and his wife Doris walked from Augusta to Portland. The walk took five days, raised thousands of dollars for Muscular Dystrophy, and was presented during the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Stan loved people and enjoyed hearing about their lives and what was meaningful to them. He would spend hours talking to people during his Meals on Wheels trips and during his time at the JCA Food Pantry. He cherished the times he spent with people who were confined to their home or a facility. Stan traveled globally with his wife Doris, and he particularly loved doing so with his children and grandchildren. He loved to golf and fish with his sons and friends and attend the theatre with his wife.
The family fondly remembers his “creative efforts” to sneak in his favorite foods without Doris’ knowledge. He obtained his private pilot’s license, collected Scrimshaw, mastered calligraphy, and enjoyed visiting art galleries and antiquing. Growing up, Stan was a fan of all New England sports teams. As a young child, he was especially fond of the Red Sox, and at 10 years old, he often jumped on the back of a trolley car to head into Fenway Park, where Ted Williams gave tickets away for the kids under the center field bleachers. We will forever remember his magnetic smile that lit up a room. Stan is remembered as a man who changed people’s lives with this love, kindness, and guidance – never expecting anything in return.
Donations can be made in Stan’s memory to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital online athttps://fundraising.mmc.org/bbch-donate-now or send toMaine Medical Center Philanthropy Department22 Bramhall St.Portland, ME 04102