2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Nov 23 - 08:37 AM

Yes I have found it and it isn't blank :)

Subject: RE: Obit: Leo Pola - search for Carols Loudly Bellowed
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Nov 23 - 03:57 AM

I think I have this CD buried somewhere in my sound storage racks, I remember him sending it to me,along with a wee note.

Subject: RE: Obit: Leo Pola - in search of his CD contents
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 23 - 10:28 PM

Blast from the past! We were his Secret Santa one year, and sent a lot of homemade goodies, including a lap quilt (I don't crochet or knit, so had nothing to offer along those lines).

I hope someone has that disk.

Subject: Obit: Leo Pola
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Nov 23 - 08:25 PM

I know Leo has been gone for a while but none of the other topics fit. Wakana and I met Leo at a Mudgather during the only one of the FSGW fall gatherings we attended. He was... enthusiastic. We liked him immediately. I bought his Christmas CD and he knitted a lovely shawl for Wakana.

Today I dug out my various Christmas CDs intending to rip them for use on my phone. When I got to his it was blank. This was a heartbreaking moment for me. Admittedly Leo was more enthusiasm than talent. The title of his album makes that clear (Carols Loudly Bellowed). But I don't just admire talent and professionalism. I like any person's zeal when it comes to the music they love.

I have no idea why my CD is blank. I know I've listened to it many, many years ago. If anyone else bought his CD could you check to see if yours still has the music? Thanks.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 19 - 10:18 PM

I am one of MMario/Leo's sisters (I am #2 of the nine of us; Leo was #6) Several friends of Leo's have asked where they might send donations as a memorial to him. The family has decided that any donations anyone wants to make in memory of MMario/Leo Pola may be sent to the scholarship fund that we all set up at our local high school after our parents died. The scholarship is for a graduating senior and will be awarded every spring. All nine of us planned to donate to the fund every year. The fund is named the Carlo and Margaret Pola Scholarship Fund, and the address is Sandwich High School Association PO Box 155 Sandwich, MA 20563. Thank you all for loving our brother Leo.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Jan 19 - 07:24 AM

Jan, how I wish our retirement transition could have allowed us to get up to Penn Yan the 19th! If we can help in future in any way, just post a message to us in this thread.

Please know you'll all continue in our private prayers. May the days ahead burnish all the best memories.

Love,

~Susan & Greg

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner
Date: 25 Jan 19 - 12:09 AM

To Susan Oldberg Hinton and Greg - thank you so very much! It snowed a lot on the day of Leo’s service in NY too. Leo’s memorial service at his home church, St. Mark’s in Penn Yan, was beautiful. Our nephew Peter, who is an Episcopal priest, and the priest at St Mark’s, together led a mass that was very comforting, The church altar hangings used had all be created by Leo. The stoll worn by Peter was created by Leo. Many people in the congregation wore shawls created by Leo. At the reception, friends told so many stories that showed just how loved Leo was by his Renaissance, knitting, and Dickens friends. We are so comforted by knowing how many lives Leo touched.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jessica-Jean
Date: 22 Jan 19 - 06:22 PM

Life is unfair!

I regret that it took the news of Leo's passing to make me knit one of his shawls.

I wish I had as eloquent words as those who've posted before me.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 07:36 PM

Jan,

Tonight, being Episcopalians, we remembered two dear friends and the son of a dear friend at a private Mass at our home in Ohio. You were much in my thoughts.

These persons departed this life just as my priest husband Greg retired (and immediately following his retirement) from active parochial ministry. A priest without an altar makes one wherever needed-- today, at our living room dinette while snow and icy rain fell in darkness outside the big picture window that table overlooks.

Our service followed the BCP Order for Burial used at many memorial services in our denomination, with communion-- and with music from unusual sources (since my autoharp is packed). We prayed strength and healing for the bereft, during the music and throughout.

In memory of Leo Pola we hummed along with a YouTube video where he's songleading a rousing song by a mutual friend, in his usual RenFaire garb:
https://youtu.be/kwQAmwn5-N8

In memory of Dick Greenhaus of The Digital Tradition which is hosted at www.mudcat.org, we took a trip down memory lane via a video showing Mudcat folkies including Dick and his partner Susan Friedman. All these Mudcatters typically participated in folkie weekends at our PA rectory:
https://youtu.be/ocjMckTtZ1Y

In memory of Josh Harrigan Logan, we prayed through the Kontakion:
https://youtu.be/0ekoDO_4PBA

We gave thanks for these lives that touched our own.

~Susan Oldberg Hinton

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Brakn
Date: 17 Jan 19 - 02:42 PM

That's sad news - been around here a while.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Open Mike
Date: 16 Jan 19 - 03:48 AM

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2310037365896185/members/          This is a face book group dedicated to MmarioKknits... Leo.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 19 - 09:03 PM

Thanks, Open Mike. I only wish Leo had seen it.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Open Mike
Date: 15 Jan 19 - 07:39 PM

I am a member of a knitting group where Mario (Leo) shared patterns and such. This group was originally a yahoo group. MmarioKknits has been online For 11 years as of new year's eve. I will share with the members there the lyrics of the shawlmaker as posted here. I am sure they will all appreciate it!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: olddude
Date: 15 Jan 19 - 06:03 PM

A very fine man and good friend to everyone here. He will be sadly missed

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Jan 19 - 09:06 PM

Thank you, Jan. That's him, to a T. I'm so sorry.

~S~

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: bbc
Date: 14 Jan 19 - 08:22 PM

Nice to “see” you, Jon!

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jan 19 - 07:02 PM

Sorry to read this. He always seemed a very helpful chap. He gave Pip/mum one of his shawls (posted to the UK - neither of us ever met him) back in the days of the Annexe and it remains a treasured possession.

Sorry we are a bit late but condolences from both Pip and I.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner
Date: 14 Jan 19 - 06:34 PM

Here is Leo’s obituary for those who only knew him as the creative MMario: Leo M. Pola, of Keuka Park, NY, died on Dec. 28th, at his home. A native of Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, he came to New York State to attend college. After graduating from Cornell University, he worked in restaurant management and computer services before retiring from Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. He resided with his sister, Sue Tierney and her husband Peter Tierney, and helped to raise his nephew and niece, Peter Tierney and Kimberly Tierney.
He was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Penn Yan, NY, serving as acolyte director, treasurer, and member of the vestry. He helped to launch the church’s annual summer arts camp, Rise! Creative Camp, cooking in the camp kitchen.
For many years, he ran the pillow-fight and archery booths at the Sterling Renaissance Festival, where he discovered a love for improvisational street theater as well as folk and festival music. He was also a regular player in the annual Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, NY, portraying Mr. Benjamin Loudlybellows, the town crier.
Always a creative spirit, the internet allowed him to share his creations with a wide, international community where he was fondly known as MMario. Knitting and crochet were lifelong hobbies, and he created hundreds of patterns for lace shawls.
The sixth of nine children born to Margaret and Carlo Pola, he is survived by all of his siblings; Carlo Pola and wife Karen; Jan Waggoner and husband Fred; Sue Tierney; Dianne Pola and Martin Hewlett; Nino Pola and wife Betty; Lauri Hall and Ken Lanagan; Velia Pola and husband Joe Steele; Tony Pola and wife Allison Liset; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Peter Tierney.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 19th at 10:00 am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 179 Main St., Penn Yan, NY. Memorial donations in Leo’s name may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Freda Underhill
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 09:57 PM

Shocked and very sad to hear Leo has passed on. I was lucky to meet him at a Getaway, what a lovely, talented man. Condolences and best wishes to all his family.
Freda

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Janie
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 03:31 PM

Ditto what Ebbie said.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 10:45 AM

I'll be thinking of him on the 19th.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: skarpi
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 10:01 AM

What ? ...another one
May you rest in peace Leo .
all the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 09:01 AM

Jan, I'll see if I can zip the MP3. Or I could snail a CD data disc.

~S~

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner
Date: 06 Jan 19 - 04:58 PM

Thank you. The mp3 could be emailed to me at [e-mail] and I will send it on to all Leo’s other 7 siblings too.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Monique
Date: 05 Jan 19 - 05:56 AM

Sorry to hear this sad news. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jan 19 - 03:00 PM

Jan, we'll be in Ohio by the 19th, so we will probably hold a house mass that day for him. Also, where may I send an MP3 recording of the Solemn Mass at which he was remembered?

~S~

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Jan 19 - 03:47 AM

I don't knit, Jan but I WILL play a CD of his.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Helen
Date: 04 Jan 19 - 01:25 AM

Hi Jan,

A "knit in"! I like that idea. I'm on East Coast of Australia so that 10 am NY time will be 2 am here. I am unlikely to be awake at 2 am but I can start making something a bit earlier in the evening. I'll have to think of something to make.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner, Leo’s sister
Date: 04 Jan 19 - 12:14 AM

Another of Leo’s other passions was designing and knitting. Many of his knitting friends who live all over are planning a “knit in” on January 19 in his memory during the time of his memorial service. I hope some of you on Mudcat will sing a song or recite a poem or simply think of our Leo/MMario at the time of his services at 10 AM on January 19 in Penn Yan, NY. His siblings, nieces and nephews, and all his”borrowed children” will feel the warmth generated by Leo’s many friends. Thank you.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Janie
Date: 03 Jan 19 - 09:09 PM

Thanks, Jan. Know that many of us will be there in spirit who can not otherwise attend.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 03 Jan 19 - 04:41 PM

Sad to hear this. Condolences to his friends and family.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Kim C
Date: 03 Jan 19 - 09:20 AM

Leo was an amazing man. Sorry I never got to meet him in person.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Jan 19 - 09:12 AM

Leo is the inspiration of the UNI-VERSE collective song of the uni multi verse and everything.
"Out of Chaos came not "The Word" But "THE SONG" for those who heard Melody of crystal sphere Harmonies in every ear" quote MMario

I imagine him now singing from the other side of the turbulent mirror.
/mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=18488

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jan 19 - 03:03 AM

Thanks, Jan.

~Susan and Greg

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner, one of Leo/MMario’s older
Date: 02 Jan 19 - 11:02 PM

Services will be January 19th at 10 am for Leo’s memorial at
St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Penn Yan, NY. 14527

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: C-flat
Date: 02 Jan 19 - 06:20 AM

It's getting harder to drop in here on Mudcat.

I've been coming here for many years and feel like I "know" many of you folks.

MMario was one such name. Always a kind contributor and I'm greatly saddened to see this thread.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jan 19 - 06:49 PM

Sue, hi-- I think we met briefly years ago when Greg and I came up for a very short visit one evening. Please know that you have been and will continue most especially in our prayers-- now and in the days ahead. Leo's dedication to you was deeply obvious each time we spoke and I know he's still watching over you and yours.

We recently found your mailing address and will send a note with our contact info.


Love,

~Susan and The Rev. Canon Greg Hinton
St. Paul's/Wellsboro (retired)

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Jan 19 - 04:53 PM

Discworld-related knitting? Someone please post a link! RIP MMario.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 05:17 PM

Sister Sue, don't take it personally!
Submitting a posted message on these forum threads
is sometimes easy and,
then there are those other times
when you get a message that the submission didn't go through
when it actually did ...
looks like that happened to you.
It has happened to most of us as well.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,His sister Sue
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 03:47 PM

How lovely. So much love.
Leo lived with me for 40 plus years. I miss him more than I can express.
Thank you all.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Sister Sue
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 03:37 PM

So many stories. Yours is one of the most touching. He was a sweet sweet man. Lived with me for 40 plus years. I miss him more than I can express.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,His sister Sue
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 03:34 PM

He told me about this.
Leo lived with me for 49 plus years.
He helped raise my children, helped me over two decades of caring for my Agent Orange poisoned Marine husband. Has been my emotional support system always.
In our large family he was “my shadow”.
I miss him more than I can express.
Sptseagull

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 12:24 PM

I was Guest at Dec. 30 who wrote about the Quiviut- didn't realize I wasn't logged in.

Just want to add that Leo was one of those who are larger than life. I realize that each of us in the world is unique but some are uniquer than others. :)

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Brien Hoye
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 10:05 AM

I only met Leo once at the Press Room but I frequently corresponded with him on this list. He will be fondly remembered along with many others I have corresponded with on this forum who are no longer with us.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: bbc
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 08:43 AM

I didn't know Leo well, but well enough to know his real name, as well as his Mudcat handle. Another part of our community gone beyond, but leaving us richer from abiding awhile. Blessings, my friend!

bbc

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 18 - 12:27 AM

If it won't be taken amiss, the last thread that MMario posted in was the playful Mudcat Tavern iteration for Christmas 2018. It has been moved back up to the top with a virtual wake in mind. He was a regular participant in those flights of fancy over the years.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: KT
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 09:13 PM

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Janie. Rambling or not....doesn't matter. We're all in this together. I don't know about all of you, but I haven't been around this place much for a long time. But I've looked at this thread numerous times, checked in more in the last 24 hours than in the last 6 months. I do love Mudcat and the community we have here. We're lucky.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Janie
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 08:48 PM

Still don't really have words. I joined Mudcat in 2001, immediately after Dani dragged me to my first Getaway. So I first met Leo, and many other 'Catters at that first Getaway, before I joined this community.

18 years of virtual community and yearly 3D reunions - Leo was at more of the Getaways I've made it to than not. Some knew him better and some knew him less well than did I. Clearly, many of us will miss him, and anyone posting here will mourn him.

I still don't really have words, and the tears come too easily. Rambling. I was only half-conscious of the contributions he made to Mudcat regarding the DT and CD's.

Loved his contributions to the story threads and other collective creative writing exercises. What an imagination and flare he had for writing. He definitely "played well with others," and his contributions always delighted, advanced the storyline, and/or nudged the story in unexpected directions.

This past Getaway, several of us were making plans, in discussion with him, to lobby for him to have a mini-concert at next year's Getaway. Who knew that next year would never come? Too few people at the Getaways had an opportunity to hear him sing - he could be reticent, but in the last 2 years was getting more bold about 'singing out' in the song circles.

Like I said already, I'm just rambling, lost in sorrow and at a loss for words to honor him. That is often the case when it comes to people who exemplify what is meant by the expression "salt of the earth."

He wasn't one of the 'rock stars' who got or sought a lot of attention. He was a foundational rock, and a star that never sought to dazzle, but shone, and will continue to shine in my heart and mind, regardless of the season or be the skies clear or cloudy.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 08:48 PM

Jeri-

A very nice tribute to MMario, the shawl-maker among his various talents.

He will be missed but well remembered.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 08:01 PM

I was at Getaway some years ago and on the opening night happened to sit next to him. He and I exchanged Mudcat names and pleasantries and when he turned to someone I swiped his skein of yarn. It was a few minutes of frantic searching before I handed it back to him. He was amused and said I had "stolen his best yarns."

A good, even great, man.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,RIP
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 06:12 PM

I've never met Mario. I only knew him through Ravelry, where he has proven to be quite prolific and helpful.

I was once on the train and ran into another knitter, Mark (I didn't get his last name) who personally knew Mario. We talked about how brilliant he was and Mark mentioned his love of Renaissance Fairs and math/computing. The man was clearly a genius.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 06:11 PM

Leo (MMario) has been such a lovely friend to me and Andrew for many years, whether we met online through Mudcat or in person at the Getaway. Leo was always gentle, welcoming, generous and a most talented singer and knitter. We are so grateful to have his CD recordings to remember him. From us both here in South Wales UK we send our love to Leo's family

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Severn
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 03:13 PM

A loss for us all. I just know him from many Getaways and occasional sings when he stayed afterward, but I sang with him, co-hosted a workshop with him, read his contributions to Mudcat and enjoyed all the time that I saw him. He'll be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 02:07 PM

I was going to bring up the Ravelry connection (a site/community for yarnworkers of all species, free to join) but I see Ganyah has beaten me to it, with the excellent suggestion of sharing the poem there.

If anyone is going to continue to administer MMario's Ravelry pages, it might be an idea to support the enterprise by buying some of his lovely patterns. (I don't knit, or I would in a heartbeat.)

His main contact page is here, from which you can access the rest (copy-pasted below but un-clickified):

https://www.ravelry.com/designers/mmario

https://www.ravelry.com/stores/mmario-designs

https://groups.io/g/MMarioKKnits

For fans of MMArio Knits:
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/mmario-fan-knitics

Clickable link to his essay on shawl-shaping, "The Shape of Shawls to Come" which is a direct PDF download.

- - -

And don't forget Jeri's Deskgram link to his work, in her post of 29 Dec 18 - 01:50 PM

Aaaaaand: ANOTHER JERI GOODIE
Tune Add: Evergreen by Jeri
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=20194&threadid=20194

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Ernest
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 01:56 PM

Sad news indeed. RIP

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 01:19 PM

No problem, Jan. Understood. Leo was a very significant part of this community.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 12:55 PM

Jeri, I don’t know how to send a reply just to you but thank you for your permission. We all are so grateful for these messages of love for our brother! ??

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 11:12 AM

My best regards and condolences to his friends and family. RIP MMario
Charlie

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 10:40 AM

Here are his posts as a logged in user and here are his guest posts. It would take a herculean search to find any he might have posted to the Mudcat Tavern and Recovery Ward as "other" characters.

Happy reading!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 10:15 AM

Very sorry to hear this sad news.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 10:04 AM

I've known his posts on song threads since my earliest days here, always a welcome contributor, RIP MM.

Mick

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,ganyah
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 09:53 AM

Jeri..Thank you!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 09:28 AM

@Jan Pola Waggoner, please do repost the poem. And as for a link, hyperlinks still run wild on the internet. (And I don't think worlds colliding would be anything but good when it comes to your brother.)

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 09:05 AM

I'll miss him.
Glad to have known you, Leo. xx

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner, one of MMario’s older sis
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 08:35 AM

Several of Leo’s siblings have been touched by all the wonderful messages posted here; those that have not had a chance to read them, will do so soon. Thank you all! If We would love to repost the lovely poem and a link to this thread so other friends of Leo’s from his home town etc could also read these touching words. We would not do it without permission. Thank you

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,ganyah
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 07:34 AM

Jeri, I would love to share The Shawlmaker over at ravelry, if I could. I'm not sure how this works and how you will answer, but I will look back throughout the day to see if there is an answer addressed to me.
Dear MM was an important member of our Ankh-Morpork Knitters Guild and a sweet, gentle soul

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 07:23 AM

This is tremendous and a touching tribute to my brother. I’d love to post it to FB
if you don’t mind.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 06:44 AM

I also have no words. Much sadness. I have added Leo to the "In Memoriam" Thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 06:34 AM

RIP and... thanks.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 04:35 AM

Years ago at Camp Ramblewood when I met MMario and became aware of his creations, we spoke of Quiviut and I resolved to myself that I would send him some when I returned home just so he'd have the experience of working with clouds . I never did, because he said it would require 2 - or was it 3?- ounces for a shawl and the retail shop in Juneau was charging $84 an ounce. I simply could not afford it. Now I wish I had done it. But now- I just realized that he will be knitting real clouds. Lovely man.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 03:16 AM

Nothing to add, sad to hear this, RIP.

RtS

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 03:02 AM

Very sad. In the days before transferring information was as easy as it is now Leo was instrumental in getting an old book of Russian folk songs I have online. He was so helpful and epitomised the spirit of Mudcat. The world is now a poorer place.

Dave.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Dec 18 - 12:25 AM

Leo kindly came a long way to attend my husband Greg's retirement dinner just a few weeks ago, and never spoke of any health issues. He was full of life, good spirits, and love, and we planned to connect more often now that we were finally about to join him in retired life.

We were chosen siblings.... our new Ohio home has a big annual Ren Faire a half hour away... we planned on long annual visits.

Greg has gone to bed in prep for his final liturgies tomorrow and the new friends Leo made at Greg's dinner will join in our sorrow... he was, like us, Episcopal, and the liturgies planned for tomorrow are exactly the sort he'd have loved.

If anyone has contact info for Sue, please PM it to me ASAP.

~S~

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: KT
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:54 PM

Jeri, your song is wonderful as is
And
I hope you'll mold it into what you feel is the finished product. It is a lovely piece of writing. Mario would be so touched.

To Leo's siblings, Jan and Lauri, welcome to Mudcat. I hope you'll find some comfort here as you realize how well-loved and deeply appreciated your brother has been in this community. There's a net here that reaches across borders and oceans. Know that you and your family are being held in it now.
KT

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Norma Moore Sutton
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:28 PM

Leo will be greatly missed. He taught me to love knitting lace instead of being intimidated by it and he taught me to see my mistakes as possibly new designs. Rest well Leo. I will continue to think of you each time I knit one of your beautiful patterns or any lace pattern.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Helen
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:12 PM

Welcome to Mudcat, Jan and Lauri.

You have our deepest sympathy in your loss of Leo.

It's difficult to convey the community feeling here at Mudcat, but I think that the outpouring of love for Leo/MMario shows how we feel, not just about him but about the whole Mudcat experience.

I have been a member of Mudcat for over 20 years. I am in Australia so I never met Leo in person, and have only met a very few members of the Mudcat community, but the friendship, love, sharing and support is strong.

Helen

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Celtaddict (cookieless)
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:58 PM

Shattered.
So many rich memories.
He’d greet me with a hug that lifted me off the ground.
He never minded me following him around like a puppy, eagerly awaiting songs.
He adored all his nieces and nephews; it broke my heart a bit that they and many more were all borrowed’ children.
On arrival at King Richard’s Faire, the first thing he would do is get a rose for Baz’ memorial; when I was there he’d get two, one for her, one for me. I still have last October’s; yellow.
Every Getaway he’d find/make time for a private concert; said my insatiable hunger for his singing was good for his ego. I don’t think he had an ego.
I have never known a more gentle, giving, loving soul.
He created, and gave, gentleness and beauty day in and day out.
So many of us are better for having known him.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,lauri hall Leo's younger sister
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:53 PM

thank you so much for those beautiful words

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:53 PM

MMario was behind the scenes on that Mudcat Lullaby CD produced when Max's daughter Lily was born. We emailed back and forth on the files and the disks were produced on campus where I was working. There were never any glitches, he had everything the way it needed to be for those CDs to be produced. That's a rare thing. It was called the Blue Plate Special.

He was my Santee early on in the annual Mudcat Secret Santa events, and that year my kids and I chose fabrics and I made a lap quilt that we put in the mail to him. That was the only year that I made something like that, but it seemed entirely appropriate, making it for someone who felt like Mudcat royalty, by his demeanor and not by position. There was another year when I won the MMario shawl in the Mudcat Auction and it was the Secret Santa gift I sent to another Mudcatter that year. What a prize! It was clear to all that he was a lovely man and I only wish I'd had a chance to meet him and to see that garden he was so pleased to share with us over the years.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Jan Pola Waggoner
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:42 PM

As a guest to this group, please let me express my appreciation (and those also from all of all Leo’s many siblings, nieces and nephews, and many other family members) thank you for all the wonderful messages you have said about our Leo. To know he touched so many in his life is so heartwarming. His voice was great, his knitting designs superb, his shawls legendary. He will be sorely missed by so many. To my dear brother, #6, from #2, Rest In Peace and please give Mom and Daddy hugs from us all

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:24 PM

"a soul's thought, spoken by hands"

Thank you for that, Jeri. It's gorgeous.

I'd forgotten the Lullaby For A Borrowed Child. Now I can hear him singing it in my head. What a sweet, lovely great heart he had. I hope I told him so.

Mmario was one of the people who tied me to the mudcat, and then to the Getaway. He inspired me with his courage and his joie de vivre.


Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: ranger1
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:14 PM

Oh, and Jeri - He was at the last Getaway you were at. That's the one you, Tinker, myself, and Janet shared a room. And you, Tinker and I were walking to the Retreat Center and Leo looked up, saw us and said something like "Well here's trouble!" and then when I informed him we were sharing a room, he remarked "I'm surprised the cabin hasn't burst into flames yet."

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: ranger1
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 10:08 PM

It has taken me all day to come up with words to post, and they still won't be everything I want to say.

Leo was always the first person I'd look for when I arrived t Getaway. We'd do the chitchat thing, he'd ask me how I was doing, and one year, he let me finish blathering on and then said : "OK, now how are you REALLY doing?" I think it was the year I helped remove my mother from an abusive relationship. Whatever. He knew I had the happy face on and that wasn't what he wanted to know about.

I remember one year he was knitting tiny little sweater sets for a grand niece the whole Getaway. The love for that child shone all over him while he was knitting them. And the year he sang "Lullaby For a Borrowed Child", a song he'd written. And the warm hugs, good conversation, wicked humor, and beautiful voice. The two of us swapping stupid tourist stories - he grew up on Cape Cod, and I grew up on the coast of Maine - and the things we'd do to the obnoxious ones. It's amazing how much fun you can have "giving" directions to annoying tourists.

Most of all, what I I will remember about Leo is his warmth and kindness.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 09:39 PM

KT, no, I never felt I could finish it, but maybe I'll put some work into it.

MMario didn't crochet, but I think crocheting is just sideways knitting. It's all yarnwork, though, and making beautiful things.

MMario led the effort to get as many tunes for songs in the Digital Tradition as we could manage. He was somebody nobody - and I mean nobody - ever had a negative word to say about.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Helen
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 09:36 PM

I'm saddened and shocked to see that MMario has gone.

As Jeri said above, "This is why many of us talk about Mudcat as more than a website, and more than just fighting. MMario swam deep in the currents here, and they swam in him."

He was part of the fabric of this community.

Thanks for the lovely poem, Jeri. You have reminded me that when I crochet or knit or make something or paint something for someone else, I am usually in a sort of meditative or prayer-like state, thinking good thoughts about that person. So the gift of a shawl from MMario, it seems to me, is as much a gift of his caring, creative and giving soul as it is of a comforting item made of yarn.

Rest in Peace, Leo.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: KT
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 09:13 PM

Jeri, your song/poem The Shawlmaker, is brilliant! So beautiful, so perfect. Does it have a melody? If so, I'd love to learn it. It is fabulous.
KT

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 07:57 PM

I'm so very sad to read this. I never met him in person, but always enjoyed seeing him around the 'Cat. Another good one gone.

I love the poem, Jeri. Crochet is one of my sanity-savers too (and it's needed a lot of saving these past two years, for reasons both personal and worldwide) so it really resonates with me right now. Thanks for posting.

A new voice in the heavenly choir. Rest in peace, MM

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: nutty
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 07:14 PM

So sad ...... RIP Leo

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 06:57 PM

the choir is getting larger ...

condolences to his family & friends

thanks for the youtube link, stilly, I'll have to go thru the piles of CDs that fell from the very tall CD tower I knocked over recently & find his CDs & listen to more of his songs.

Thanks jeri for the poem, I'm planning to share it with knitting & crochetting friends.

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: hsempl
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 06:09 PM

Beautiful tribute, Jeri. I can hear MMario singing it.
-Heather

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:58 PM

A wonderful tribute, Jeri... in exactly the way Mario should be remembered.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Lighter
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:57 PM

He was a Mudcat stalwart. Sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:47 PM

He was so good to so many of us. Rest well, MMario.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Janie
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:27 PM

Oh Jeri. Perfect.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:23 PM

Leo joined us several times at both Press Room sessions when he was attending a nearby RenFaire.

I have no words... (just tears).

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:22 PM

The last time I saw him, was, I believe, at the last Old Songs Festival I went to. Maybe 3 or 4 years ago. I can't remember if he was at the last Getaway I attended.
He seemed to be one of those folks everyone at Mudcat wanted to meet. He had the most amazing, thick mane of long, brown hair, and a huge voice. The knitting needles went everywhere with him.
He knitted a shawl for Heather Fielding when Rick died in 2004, and knitted one for me.

I started a song a long time ago, and never finished it. MMario started a Mudcat trend: making shawls for people who needed them. JacquiC has continued this, and there may have been others I missed. This is why many of us talk about Mudcat as more than a website, and more than just fighting. MMario swam deep in the currents here, and they swam in him.

So this is for him.

THE SHAWLMAKER

Sometimes the world is a terrible place
Misfortune can wear away love and faith
And you feel that there's nothing that you can do
But the shawlmaker knows that's not true

A shawl's an embrace that hands can crochet
It's a craft, not an art, many people would say
But art is a soul's thought, spoken by hands
And the shawlmaker's soul's in each one of those strands

For the shawlmaker knows that grief and despair
Are borne of a love that will always be there
When there's nought we can do, and little to say
The shawlmaker knows there's a way

Vulnerable love, tender and raw
Fragile, it waits for a cold world to thaw
The soul of a child, cloaked in older skin
The shawl reaches through to the dreamer within

The shawlmaker's work is more than it seems
The yarn is the stuff of wishes and dreams
There's compassion and love in each delicate strand
Touched by the shawlmaker's hand

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 05:03 PM

I had the pleasure of meeting Leo a few times......great guy with a tremendous voice and sense of humor. Much love to his family.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Genie
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 04:32 PM

Shocked and saddened this morning when Dan Schatz posted on Facebook that Leo, whom I first knew as MMario here, had died. Leo was a great source of information, wit, and warmth here and later when I got to meet him in person at Getaway. He will be very much missed.
Mudcat’s Celestial choir has many fine voices but is growing too fast.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Hawker
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 04:30 PM

I don’t frequent here as often as I used to but MMario was a lovely and talented man! He will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 03:44 PM

We cooked auroch together in the Mudcat Tavern, we compared notes on knitting ( although that was a lot like a 3 year old talking to god). I was one of the earliest recipients of a beautiful hand knitted shawl. It turned up all the way from the States from someone I had never, at that time,met and arrived exactly when I most needed it to.   It meant the world to me. So did he.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 03:27 PM

I'm heartbroken, too. I cherish a shawl he made, that Katlaughing organized as a gift for me when my beloved Byron died. That Spring, MMario met me and greeted me in song as I stepped off the shuttle bus to attend the Vermont Ren Fest- I can still see his hand extended to help me down, and his sweet voice as he escorted me to the fair. Go well, good man.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Felipa
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 03:17 PM

It is getting so hard to look at Mudcat, for I always see a death notice for someone I knew or knew of. I hadn't seen any posts from MMario in some time, but I quite often thought about him. When I was a relative newcomer to Mudcat and was posting quite a lot of lyrics, I used to send copies of sheet music to Leo, who was most obliging and would post the digital version of the tunes on Mudcat. His legacy lives on.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: JennieG
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 02:36 PM

Oh no......not MMario, that is too sad. It was mentioned on the Tavern that he wasn't doing too well.

Condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Dharmabum
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 02:32 PM

Rest in peace Leo
I'm better for have known ye.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Tinker from Chicago
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 02:01 PM

I met Leo at the King Richard's Faire outside of Boston in the US. My duo's set was scheduled opposite of the ever-popular joust, and all the customers flocked to see that, not us. In fact Leo was our only listener. But listen he did, and talked with us after the set. A kind man, to be sure.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 02:00 PM

A great soul has passed from us.
I remember his postings on matters musical. Always ready to help, interested, and encouraging. We (I) will miss his postings here.

R.I.P.
with love and respect for MMario.

Nigel

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Jeri
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 01:50 PM

He was an incredibly creative knitter. Some photos of his work (along with a load of hashtag-related stuff), some knitted by him, and some designed by him, are here: Deskgram.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 12:38 PM

Sorry to hear this: benefited from his wisdom and knowledge on several occasions.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 12:31 PM

Sad news.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 12:19 PM

Another guy I met at Getaway ! He WILL be sadly missed

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 12:18 PM

Leo and I started in Mudcat about the same time many years ago. He was from a town in the Finger Lakes
not far from where I live in Central New York State. He was a street performer in the Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, NY and at The Sterling Renaissance Faire in Sterling NY. His skill as a crochet artist is legendary. He recording a song of mine years ago and I always appreciated the version he performed. He was a friendly and generous man.

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: KT
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 12:17 PM

Stunned.      
Soar on, dear Leo. Your light will burn brightly in the hearts of all, the many who loved you. With deep gratitude that our paths crossed on this earthly journey.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Pola)
From: Janie
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 12:16 PM

My Heart is broken.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Paola)
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:58 AM

.............. no words right now.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Paola)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:52 AM

YouTube link shared via the facebook page.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Paola)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:39 AM

Leo passed away last night. He was having trouble breathing, and when he passed it was quickly and without pain. This is information directly from his sister Sue.   My heart is so heavy.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Paola)
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:39 AM

A newbie like me can't say anything really ...
I know MMario has been here a long, long time.
But where he has passed to,
there must be quite the assortment
of Heavenly Mudcat Members to receive him. I'm sorry for the loss.

Subject: Obit: Mmario
From: ranger1
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:30 AM

It is with a heavy heart that I post this. Leo passed away last night. He'd been dealing with pulmonary hypertension, but was at home last I'd heard from him. I don't have the full details, but I'm sure someone can supply them as they become available.

I have so many thoughts and memories going through my head right now, it will take a day or two to sort out anything coherent to post on his loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: MMario (Leo Paola)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:30 AM

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Subject: Obit: MMario (Leo Paola)
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Dec 18 - 11:28 AM

Passed away last night.