Rev. Stewart A. Pollock

December 2, 1954 - March 5, 2014

LOWER BURRELL, PA - Rev. Stewart A. Pollock, 59, of Lower Burrell, PA, died unexpectedly March 5, 2014, at Forbes Regional Medical Center in Monroeville, PA.

Born December 2, 1954, in Boston, MA, Stewart was the oldest child of Dr. Donald and Elinor (Hopkins) Pollock. After graduating from Cooperstown Central School in 1972, he went on to earn his BA in Russian Studies from Hamilton College in 1976, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Yale Divinity School in 1980, and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Syracuse University College of Law in 1994, passing the New York State Bar Exam in the same year.

Stewart was ordained a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1980 and served Presbyterian congregations in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania during his 33 years in the pastoral ministry. He also served as Stated Clerk in the  Presbyteries of Cayuga-Syracuse and Southern New England and was a highly regarded parliamentarian. His legal knowledge and love for the church opened doors for service on judicial commissions at the presbytery and synod levels and, most recently, as Moderator of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (of the PCUSA). At the time of his death, he was a Member-At-Large of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, and was looking forward to serving as Interim Pastor of the Shelocta Community Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas in Pennsylvania.

A self-described "not-so-reserved pastor," he will be remembered for his brilliant mind, gentle spirit, quirky sense of humor and the Superman prayer. He was generous with his time and expertise, serving on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Allegheny Valley and volunteering at the local food bank. His neighbors loved and appreciated his willingness to lend a hand to any in need.

Stewart is survived by his parents, Dr. Donald and Elinor Pollock of Cooperstown; two sisters, Donabeth Urick and her husband, Gil, of Bonita Springs, FL, and Sally Zaengle and her husband, Bud, of Greene; two brothers, Peter Pollock and his wife, Diana, of Cooperstown, and Jim Pollock and his wife, Sharon, of Georgetown; his wife, Alma Harward Pollock of New Haven, CT; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the Life of the Rev. Stewart A. Pollock will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie Armstrong Rhodes, pastor, officiating. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception in the adjoining Chapel.

Rev. Pollock's remains will be laid to rest in The Columbarium in the Presbyterian Churchyard.

Memorial gifts may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Allegheny Valley, 1170 Industrial Blvd., New Kensington, PA  15068.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting the Pollock family.

Updated April 26, 2014. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.