Obituary: Harold "Pinky" Pohl

Harold C. "Pinky" Pohl, 86, husband of the late Lillian (Moore) Pohl, died on Sunday, (December 11, 2011) at a local convalescent home in Manchester.

Pinky was born in Manchester on July 6, 1925 to the late Otto and Carrie (Stoetzner) Pohl. Pinky was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific. He was very active with many veterans' organizations including the Marine Corps League, American Legion Post #102, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2046, and the Army & Navy Club. Pinky was active for most of his life as a member of the Town of Manchester Veterans Council, the Permanent Memorial Day Committee and a Custodian of Veterans Graves for the Town of Manchester. Pinky was a graduate of Manchester High School.

Pinky loved football having played the position of guard for the Manchester semi-professional Silk City Merchants team. His love for children was exemplified in his being one of the founders of Manchester Midget Football and as a member of the Elks Club's Newington Children's Hospital Committee.

Pinky was a Teamster in the very early days of the union having driven tractor trailer for P & G of South Windsor. He was hired as a Town of Manchester Firefighter and drove the ladder truck for the department until his retirement in 1983. He founded and served as President of the International Association of Firefighters Union Local 1579 for many years. Pinky was also a founding member of the Town of Manchester Municipal Federal Credit Union.

Pinky leaves his children and their spouses William and Mary Pohl of South Windsor, Claudia and Gregory Raffa of Middleburgh, FL, Susan and David Wilson of Bolton, and Michael Pohl of Manchester and David Pelletier of Berlin. Pinky leaves six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Harold was predeceased by his brothers Ernest Pohl of Manchester and Howard Pohl of Andover and a sister Helen (Pohl) Kelly of Bloomfield.

Pinky's family wishes to thank his current caregiver Delia Gonzalez and the staff of Manchester Manor for their outstanding care and concern.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Manchester. Burial with military honors will be in the East Cemetery in Manchester. Visiting hours are Thursday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. To leave a condolence for his family please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.