Carlo Pola

February 22, 1917 ~ September 21, 2015

Just 520 days shy of his long stated goal of living to 100, Carlo Pola relinquished the quest and, on September 21, passed peacefully due to complications of aging.

Son to Gustavo and Nelda Pola, Carlo was a Sandwich native. Predeceased by his parents and brothers Edward, Nino and Ferdinand, he is survived by his sister, Nora Hoxie, of Sandwich. Carlo lived briefly in Finale Emilia, Italy as a young boy. A member of the Class of 1935 of the Wing School, he transferred to and graduated from New Bedford Vocational.

Carlo enlisted in the US Army in 1941, served at Guadalcanal and was awarded a Purple Heart. On return from the Pacific Theatre, he attended OCS at Fort Belvoir, VA. As an instructor of field engineering at the Pioneer School, he earned a commendation for his outstanding “personal inventive traits,” an attribute Carlo carried forward, whistling away while he tinkered on one project or another. Discharged from active duty in 1945, Carlo continued his service in the Army Reserves, rising to the rank of Major before retirement in 1977.

While stationed in Washington DC, he met and married the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy Staats) Pola, in 1944. Carlo was proud to admit that Peggy outranked him when they first met, and that he had taken orders from her ever since. This was the apparent success of their 71-year marriage. Carlo is survived by his nine children: Carlo W., Janeth, Susan, Dianne, Nino, Leo, Lauri, Velia and Tony plus many grands and great-grands.

A man of unending curiosity, great ingenuity and strong convictions, Carlo was a life-long learner and an active member of his community. His commentary at town meetings was legendary. Elected to the Sandwich board of selectman in 1972, he also gave generously of his time as a member of the Sandwich Nursing Advisory Board, as past commander of American Legion Post 188 and as a volunteer with Elder Services and the Council on Aging.

Once retired from his life’s work as an electrician, Carlo and Peggy traveled like rolling stones to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. In later years, they expanded their itineraries, globe-trotting to nearly every corner of the world including Easter Island, the Galapagos, South Africa, Egypt, New Zealand and Far East Asia.

Carlo’s legacy is “A Bridge Between,” a poem he composed in 1967. He lived by the words he wrote, an unassuming man whose greatest loves were his wife, his family and the simple pleasures of life.

Calling hours at Sandwich Legion Hall October 25, 3-5 PM. Burial at Bourne National 11:30 AM October 26. Memorial donations may be made to HopeHealth.