Thomas Joseph Pollino Thomas J. Pollino, longtime Mt. Vernon educator died in Mt. Vernon on October 9, 2008, at the family home. Tom was born in Rochester, New York on November 20, 1932 to parents Mary and James Pollino. In 1933, the family moved to California with his beloved paternal grandparents, Tom and Salvatricia Pollino, to seek opportunity in the rich agricultural haven of Central California. Despite limited means, the Pollino's successfully operated a Boarding House and Restaurant while providing labor contracting for the local farms. No one ever went hungry in their house. Tom started grammar school with the Lupton Avenue gang at Yosemite Elementary speaking better Italian than English. He graduated from Manteca High in 1951. During this time, he developed a thirst for knowledge that followed him his entire life. He matriculated at the University of San Francisco the year after the Dons' football team went "Undefeated, Untied and Uninvited", but just in time to watch dormmate Bill Russell lead the Dons to two straight national basketball championships. Some of Tom's greatest stories were about his college friends and the devoted Jesuit priests who were determined to make a student out of him. After participating in ROTC at USF, Tom attended Infantry Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning Georgia after graduation in May, 1956. Tom continued his military service and was discharged from the Army Reserve as a Captain in 1964. Tom started law school at USF in the fall of 1956 but love and family responsibilities in Manteca called him home. Tom met the love of his life, Sandra Suzanne, while attending his first year of law school and they never looked back. Tom and Sandra announced their engagement at Tom's parent's 25th Anniversary party on February 14, 1957. They wed on June 23, 1957. Tom began his long career as an educator in Manteca teaching 7th and 8th grade at Sequoia and Lincoln Elementary. Tom's students were always challenged to make the most of their talents. In 1960, he was hired as the Science Curriculum Coordinator for Manteca Union School District and started the first Science Fairs for the District. In 1963, the family moved to Salinas, California where he took the position of Science and Math Curriculum Coordinator for the Monterey County Office of Education. While on a teacher recruiting trip to Washington for the District in 1968, Tom fell in love with the beautiful Skagit Valley. Tom sought opportunity for his young family in the Northwest, much as his parents and grandparents had in 1930's California. He quickly accepted an offer to become Director of Curriculum for Mt. Vernon School District #320. An avid outdoorsman, Tom embraced the wonderful hunting and fishing available in the Northwest and shared many great memories with his sons and his friends. Tom's tireless work on behalf of the children of Mt. Vernon was his passion. Known as "Bulldog One" to friends, he rarely missed a Mt. Vernon Bulldog sporting event whether or not his kids were participating. He successfully guided the District for 23 years as Superintendent after being selected to the position on July 1, 1969 as the youngest School Superintendent (36 years) of similar-sized schools in the state. He sweated every minute of every school levy and bond measure election but with the help of devoted Board Members and Election Committees saw each one end in success. To Tom, the kids were always first. He believed that every child deserved a quality education and he sought to build self esteem in every child he encountered. In 1989, he was named one of the top 100 school administrators in the country by Executive Educator. He retired to spend a well-deserved retirement with his wife Sandra. Tom's sacrifices for his family were many but he would have had it no other way. Nothing was more important to him than the happiness of his family. Tom was a fixture in the community serving on numerous Boards, including SPARC, the YMCA, Immaculate Conception Liturgy Council and Building Committee and the United Way, where he also served as President. He belonged to the American Association of School Administrators, Washington Association of School Administrators, the Sons of Italy, the Phi Kappa Delta education fraternity and was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. The family wishes to extend our thanks and appreciation to the caregivers at Skagit Valley Hospital and Life Care Center in Mount Vernon for their caring and compassion. Tom is survived by Sandra, his wife of 51 years, four children, Tom Pollino, Regina Hedin, Chris Pollino, John Pollino and grandchildren Santina, Sarah, Gianna and Grace Hedin, Taylor, Joseph, Lindsay and Suzie Pollino, Gabrielle and Vincent Pollino and Richard, Keith and Laurilee McBride and his uncle and aunt Ralph & Corrine Aquaro and many cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Sally and brother Jim. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Thomas J. Pollino Memorial Scholarship for Leadership and Public Service in care of Skagit State Bank at PO Box 285, Burlington, Wa, 98233. Viewing will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home. A Rosary will be said, 7:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 16, 2008, 3:00 pm at the Mount Vernon High School Gymnasium with a reception to follow at the St. Joseph Center on 15th Street. A Cryptside Service will be held Friday, October 17, 2008, 11:00 am at Hawthorne Memorial Park.