Kaarlo Pollari
Memorial calling hours for Kaarlo Pollari, 89, will be Saturday, July 10, 2021, from 10 a.m. until his Celebration of Life, which will be held at 11 a.m. at Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 W. High St., Middlefield.
Kaarlo passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at his home in Bradenton, Fla. He will be missed and fondly remembered by Karen, his wife of nearly 61 years; daughter, Katrine; sons, Kermit and Kevin, and Kevin’s wife Janet; three grandchildren, Allison, Jessica and Emma; brother Edwin Pollari; and sister Elaine Minnick.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings Richard, John, Emily and Eleanor.
Kaarlo was born Dec. 9, 1931, in Monessen, Pa., to the late Richard and Aino (nee Ojutkangas) Pollari. His family moved shortly thereafter to Geauga County, where he lived most of his life in Middlefield and Parkman.
He was a proud Finn, full of “Sisu;” that is, a combination of grit, courage and perseverance. Throughout life he spoke English to his Mom and Finnish to his Dad.
Kaarlo graduated Parkman High School in 1949. He earned his B.A. in Mathematics at Hiram College in 1953, followed by service in the Army, 1953-1955. He also attended graduate school at The Ohio State University.
Kaarlo’s career was dedicated to education, teaching math over a 37-year span, primarily in Cardinal Schools. He coached golf and basketball. Friday nights were always spent with family, watching Cardinal sports.
Kaarlo also served on the Cardinal Schools Board of Education for 14 years and the Geauga Credit Union Board of Directors for over 30 years. Above all else, he took great pride in the diverse accomplishments of Cardinal students and loved sharing their stories with others.
His faith was important to him, serving as a church trustee, president and singing in the choir at Grace Lutheran Church in Thompson Township, where he and Karen were also married.
Kaarlo was one of a kind. He was passionate about Cleveland and Ohio State sports, and attended the 1948 World Series with high school buddies when the Indians last won.
He enjoyed bird watching, meticulously tracking a lifelong list of birds he had seen. Other hobbies included hunting, fishing and golf. He even mastered riding a bicycle backwards after seeing it performed at the circus. He loved jazz music, hot soup, a good Rob Roy cocktail and domestic beer. He did not like onions.
Above all else he loved Karen, his kids and grandkids. He took great pride in regaling others with stories about them, as many surely know. He will be missed by all.
We request you consider supporting Cardinal Athletic Boosters, P.O. Box 41, Middlefield, OH 44062 or Grace Lutheran Church, 8091 Plank Road, Thompson, OH 44086.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
