Dedicated to the memory of Irv Pollack (1921~1998)
Irv Pollack, was an irascible progressive activist, involved in many political causes, especially alternative media. His last ten years or so were primarily helping causes in the Seattle area, with some assistance also to the Nordic News Network. http://www.nnn.se/
He gave unsparingly of his friendship and energy, and is well remembered for his warmth and wit. Just before his death, Irv had for the first time read his own poetry at an open mike, and was looking forward to playing his beloved viola again.
His contributions to many groups and causes will be greatly missed. He is survived by his son, Jordan (who lives part time in Port Townsend), and his sister Miriam. His memorial ceremony was held on Nov. 1st, 1998 at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle, before it was bombed by the kind of people Irv detested, even though he supported causes like theirs. People from many of the cities progressive movements were there to talk of his many accomplishments. A friend gives this description of the eulogies:
Here's an account of Irv's send off, held appropriately enough on the Day of the Dead.
There was a group of about 50 folks assembled in the meeting room of the Center for Urban Horticulture. It was a very diverse looking group and t here were many young people present.
Jordan, his son, was the first speaker.
Clarice, Irv's former wife who could have been a stand up comic, gave an affectionate and funny account of their courtship and married life, crediting him with being an early feminist. Irv's sister Miriam spoke of their childhood and his enlistment in the
Navy. A Chilean professor talked about Irv's support and encouragement and the pleasure he took in Irv's praise of a particularly "elegant" lecture. Someone from the anti Pinochet movement said that you were considered a good worker if you could keep up with Irv for 3 days. She mentioned that she had resisted his efforts to get her to become a vegetarian, but that
he had succeeded in converting her daughter.
Scott and Lisa spoke about their friendship with Irv over the last few years and about the last weeks of his life. A message from Al Burke in Sweden was read. A beginning writer described Irv's prodding and encouragement. An environmental activist said she had told Irv that she would never be successful in her field because she was afraid to speak in public. Irv arranged for her to be on the radio and of course she spoke beautifully
at the service.
The barrista who made Irv's coffee said that when she didn't have time to discuss politics with him, he would xerox articles out of the paper and urge her to read them. Everyone who spoke mentioned periodic calls from Irv inquiring about their
projects and urging them on, praising them for their "fantastic" work. There were folks who knew him as roomates, recipients of small business advice, theater, music, free radio, youth advocacy and Chompsky study groups.
Miriam read an elegy Irv wrote in the 80's for a friend and Irv's young doctor read a poem he wrote for and about Irv.There were tables filled with photos and mementos froom Irv's life and
obituaries from the New York Times and Eat the State.
Irv got his radical start at New York's City University in the early '40s, during the radical left heydays. (does anyone have photos of those days?)
Below at his 70th Birthday party:
Contributions of photos, poetry, audio tapes or other momentos will be be gladly added to this site at no charge. Feel free to send them to mailto:Al
Links to non-profit organizations that Irv helped will also be listed.
For a view of Irv's death notice, click here.
Al Bergstein
November, 1998
Last Updated: 11/02/06
Carry on the work: Links to on-line support of your activism.
Friends to the end: Much Thanks to Scott and Lisa Morrow, who handled the last few weeks of Irv's life, unlike anyone I have ever seen. They were at Irv's side around the clock, and provided a level of expertise and compassion that is seldom found these days. We sincerely appreciate their efforts, and they are a model to all of us.
Additional fun photos of Irv, and other goodies as they are donated.
Please feel free to send them to me.
Al Bergstein.
With son Jordan.
