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Paul Polink

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Paul Polink
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Paul Polink

Paul Polink, age 89, Carmichaels, Pa., passed away from this life on Monday, July 6, 2015.

Mr. Polink was born in Fairchance, Pa., on Friday, October 16, 1925 the son of Ignatius Polink and Magdalyn (Globus) Polink.

Mr. Polink graduated from Georges High School, attended Saint Vincent College, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from West Virginia University, and received a Master’s Degree in Biology from Michigan State in 1968.

He began his teaching career as an elementary teacher at Fairchance Borough Schools, then became a high school science teacher at Redstone Township High School. While there, he became actively involved in football, basketball, and baseball coaching.

Mr. Polink served as Assistant Registrar at West Virginia University.

He then became the High School Principal and later served as the Superintendent for West Greene School District.

After retirement, he served as Director of the Greene County Vocational-Technical School, Interim Principal at the Saint John the Evangelist Grade School in Uniontown, Pa., and finally five years of service as Principal at All Saints School in Masontown, Pa., a career that spanned 43 years.

Paul was a strong advocate for high school sports.

Along with coaching, he served on several WPIAL committees and was a PIAA football, basketball, and baseball official for 30 years.

Paul played sandlot baseball for many years in the Big Ten.

He was inducted into the Big Ten Hall of Fame along with his brothers Tony and Steve and his nephew Johnny Katalinic

A special baseball game of his career happened while he was in the service stationed in Alaska. The 54 T.C. Squadron Team, of which he was a member, was chosen to play in the Land of the Midnight Sun Game in Fairbanks, Alaska. The game started at midnight and ended at 2:30 a.m.

He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

As a Community Representative for the Pirates, he arranged trips for local fans.

During World War II, Mr. Polink served in the United States Army Air Corps as a Flight Engineer /Crew Chief stationed at Elmendorf Field in Anchorage, Alaska with the 54th Troop Carrier Squadron. The 54th received a Presidential Unit Citation for Meritorious Service performed under adverse weather conditions in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. His squadron received a second Citation during the Berlin Airlift.

Paul was one of five brothers who served during the war.

He was a member of the following organizations in Carmichaels: American Legion Post 400, The Knights of Columbus Council 3569 Fourth Degree, the Flenniken Library Board, and Saint Hugh Church Usher.

Other memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7219 in Fairchance, Pa., Elks Lodge 757 Waynesburg, Pa., General George C. Marshall AMVETSs Post 103 in Hopwood, Pa., the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees of both Fayette County and Greene County.

On Sunday, November 14, 1948, Paul married Alcinda (Johnson) Polink. She passed away Sunday, March 10, 2013.

Also deceased are seven brothers, George, Michael, Joseph, Anthony, Stephen, Frank, and John Polink; four sisters, Mary Katalinic, Kate Smith, Barbara Polink, an infant sister, Frances; and his parents.

He is survived by two daughters: Kathy Kolar and husband Carl, and Sharon Samek and her former husband, Joseph A. Samek; four grand children: Amy Cook (Darren), Lindsay Kintz (Nick), J. Andrew Samek Jr. (Amber), and Kelly Kolar and fiancé (Jared Lapkowicz); and three great grandchildren: Alyssa Kintz, Natalee Kintz, McKenna Liddick.

He was the strength of his family and will be deeply missed by his children and his grand children!

Friends will be received in the LESAKO FUNERAL HOME INC., 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels, PA 15320 (724.966.5100), Paul M. Lesako, Funeral Director and Supervisor, on Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. where a Prayer Service will be held in Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, July 10 2015 at 10:30 a.m.

A Funeral Mass at will follow 11:00 a.m. in Saint Hugh Roman Catholic Church, 408 PA Route 88, Carmichaels, with the Reverend John M. Bauer as Celebrant.

Interment will follow in Laurel Point Cemetery Carmichaels, Pa., where Military Honors and Rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 400 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491.

Online obituary: www.lesakofuneralhome inc.com

Condolences: www.legacy.com

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