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.