Harold 'Pinky' Pohl Leaves a Legacy as Father, Community Builder

Harold "Pinky" Pohl passed away Sunday afternoon with his family by his side. 

Pohl, the father of Manchester Democratic Town Committee chairman Michael Pohl, was a proud veteran of WWII, 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, as he liked to be called 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 who 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 to drive the ladder truck for the department and later 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. In addition to Mike and David, he leaves William and Mary Pohl of South Windsor; Claudia and Gregory Raffa of Florida; and Susan and David Wilson of Bolton. 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. He is predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Lillian (Moore) Pohl.

"My father was an amazing man that showed his love for his family, friends and community not in his words but in his actions," Michael Pohl said of his father. "I am so proud of my father for leaving our community a better place because he was here."

Calling hours and services are tenatively scheduled for Thursday, but please check back later for more information.