LAWRENCE OLIVER POLLARD

Condolences & Memories (28 entries)

• Our heartfelt condolences to the whole Pollard family. LO was a great man and it was a privelage to have know him. His legacy lives on through his family and his generous contributions to society and those less fortunate. Peace be with you. - Posted by: Jeff Hughes and family (Family friend) on: Jan 20, 2019

• My sincere condolences to Gordon, John, Doug, the entire Pollard family and to all at Pollard Bank Note. You should all feel blessed and proud to have shared your lives and careers with him, and I am sure he felt blessed to have shared in yours. He will be missed but never forgotten. - Posted by: Ken Schulzke (Business associate) on: Jan 17, 2019

• My heartfelt sympathy to the entire Pollard family. Mr. Pollard will be greatly missed. I worked at PBL from 1997-99, and I still remember how welcoming he was and how he was never too busy to be interrupted in his office. Mr. Pollard always had a great story or wonderful nugget of advice. May he rest in Peace. - Posted by: Leslie C Badger (Former Employee) on: Jan 14, 2019

• I was so upset when I heard of this great mans passing. When he came to Kamloops, He always spent time chatting in my office. Keep up the great work Terry, he would say. HE always made me feel so special,I so much enjoyed his so called round table meetings. They always ended with a Taxi home R.I.P. great one! Terry Burkatsky Former Employee. - Posted by: terry burkatsky (former employee pollard banknote kamloops british columbia) on: Jan 14, 2019

• John, Gordon and Doug, Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. Your Dad was one of a finite group of people ... • he risked everything to move a long standing business into the future from cheque printing to lottery tickets . He was an absolutely true visionary. • he allowed hundreds of people to learn from a master entrepreneur ... of which there are very few. • he was a father figure to so many of us who were in our twenties. I watched him send an employee at his expense to Europe for her Mother’s funeral in the most touching and caring manner; send an employee on to get his Master’s degree with a handshake. • his wit and ability to see the positive in the most challenging of situations • his pride in his eyes .. I recall the quarterly profit sharing cheques he would hand out as I walked behind him with the pile on the trolley with the bad wheel. The smile on every ones face as he shook their hand and thanked them. You would have thought he had handed the keys to a new car. He was loved by his ees • his passion for assisting young people who had an “idea” even if they didn’t work for him. The time a young U of M student came to him w an idea .... he walked down the hall right after the meeting and told me to cut the young fellow a cheque for $500 to “get him started” • his desire to never give up ... when the new Diconix (sp?) wouldn’t work, as sold to us, he was right there along side the ees trying to get it to work and offering his unwavering support • his sage advice about life May god bless you and your families in this very difficult time Thank you for the opportunities you gave me Without such I don’t believe I would have had the career, I have been so fortunate to have. Glenn Williams PS - I will be writing our good Mayor to have the McGillivray Boulevard signs taken down and replaced w new signs w the new name of “L.O. Pollard Way” - Posted by: Glenn Williams (Former ee) on: Jan 12, 2019

• L.O Pollard was a great man and inspiration to many of us. I had the privilege of meeting L.O. in 1987 when I starting working at Pollard. Over the 10 years had many great chats, visits, honour of walking with him during the factory walks each morning to meet and chat with the staff. This was a constant L.O did frequently. The stories and learning of work and the great golf stories were many. His passion for people was amazing and community. If you where every down in the area near his office and he heard you near by you had make sure you had time for a visit! He has left a legacy in this community and at PBL. My sincerest condolences to the Pollard family, he was a great family man, leader in business and also a friend to many. I'm honour to say I worked and knew L.O.P. Thoughts and prayers continue with you. - Posted by: Shireen Moore Enns (Former Employee) on: Jan 12, 2019

• It was in 1972 that I had the pleasure of meeting LOP. There are so many great memories, too many to list. Taking a large commercial type printing plant and making it into the huge specialty security printing company that’s prints tickets around the world today. “If we stay as a commercial printer, we will not make five years” he said at a general meeting, and that’s was the big start of his vision. LOP had his challenges making his vision reality, and his determination was powerful while keeping his employees as excited as he was through his journey. He was a very good man, always a pleasure to be around him! Bringing his boys and their talents into the company was the dream of a lifetime and together they made it to what we see today. LOP you made a huge positive mark on the world, we thank you for your positive attitude and integrity that touched us all. RIP Love Larry and family - Posted by: Larry Banks (Former employee ) on: Jan 12, 2019

• It was in 1972 that I had the pleasure of meeting LOP. There are so many great memories, too many to list. Taking a large commercial type printing plant and making it into the huge specialty security printing company that’s prints tickets around the world today. “If we stay as a commercial printer, we will not make five years” he said at a general meeting, and that’s was the big start of his vision. LOP had his challenges making his vision reality, and his determination was powerful while keeping his employees as excited as he was through his journey. He was a very good man, always a pleasure to be around him! Bringing his boys and their talents into the company was the dream of a lifetime and together they made it to what we see today. LOP you made a huge positive mark on the world, we thank you for your positive attitude and integrity that touched us all. RIP Love Larry and family - Posted by: Larry Banks (Former employee ) on: Jan 12, 2019

• It was a few days after I started my employment with Pollard Banknote that I first met Lawrie. He sat at our table during lunch and we began a conversation that lasted well past my allotted time. It didn't take long to get a sense I was working for a very kind man with great integrity who instilled a sense of pride and purpose in his employees. What a privilege it was to have worked at Pollard Banknote for over 21 years. To the Pollard family, my wife Marnie and I offer our sincere condolences. - Posted by: Volker Ross-Arnold (Former Employee) on: Jan 11, 2019

• It was a few days after I started my employment with Pollard Banknote that I first met Laurie. He sat at our table during lunch and we began a conversation that lasted well past my allotted time. It didn't take long to get a sense I was working for a very kind man with great integrity who instilled a sense of pride and purpose in his employees. What a privilege it was to have worked at Pollard Banknote for over 21 years. To the Pollard family, my wife Marnie and I offer our sincere condolences. - Posted by: Volker Ross-Arnold (Former Employee) on: Jan 11, 2019

• Thank you Lawrie Pollard. Your insight and advice in the early days of Winnipeg Harvest helped set the tone and style of our work with poverty. Your service to the community with the Winnipeg Foundation and the many places you put your time and gifts have made our city better. The real legacy of Lawrie Pollard is the gift of the next Pollard generation’s continuing service to the community. Well done Lawrie, Thank You! - Posted by: David Northcott (Recipient of advice and support) on: Jan 11, 2019

• My first day at Pollard Banknote, I sat in the cafeteria at lunch time and Mr. Pollard came and sat across from me with his sandwich and carton of milk. From day one L.O. made me feel truly appreciated, a feeling I had not experienced anywhere else I had worked prior to that. I so enjoyed our daily chats as he would pass by my desk, right up to just a few weeks ago. I will miss him very much and can't express how grateful I am to have been blessed to work with such an incredible person. My deepest condolences to the Pollard family. - Posted by: Diana Black (Employee) on: Jan 11, 2019

• To have met Lawrie Pollard, was to have made a friend. As a long time employee, I became more personally acquainted with him during his many mid-day visits with our small lunch group...with the usual commentary about the soup (he always made comments when he found it particularly good). He would tell us about his travels, his love for gin (and disdain for certain brands), his stays in Palm Springs, love of family and cottage life. Many of us remember the impromptu visits into our workspace where he simply wanted to greet the people, show his appreciation for our contribution and generally kibitz with staff - whom he considered friends. Whether it was a pat on the back a friendly wave or ten minute conversation about snow, we were embraced as family and we remember, for many of us, that is why we chose to start our careers and remain with PBL for many years. As much as his presence was felt every day, his absence is equally obvious. I believe I speak for colleagues when I describe the immensity and significance of his legacy over those who knew him well. I wasn’t with the company yet when he made the fateful decision to steer his company into uncharted lottery waters, but I can appreciate through conversation with him and others, the will and determination he had, to create a niche product (as he would describe) that made his company instantly recognizable in the market place and draw attention to the talent and quality his company became known for. It is with equal fervor he also sought to create a familial work environment and career opportunities for his employees - it seemed to delight him particularly, that he’d created a means to a better and more rewarding life for so many families. Lawrie leaves a legacy of strong stewardship, deft determination, and the indelible impression that no person is too small to be counted or acknowledged. He will be missed and we are fortunate to have so many moments to remember him by. My condolences to the Pollard family. - Posted by: Cornel Friesen (Employee) on: Jan 11, 2019

• Twenty years ago, I had the honour and privilege of working for Pollard Banknote at a pivotal time in its history. The lottery printing business was fairly new and L.O. (as we fondly called him) was a true visionary and risk taker. Today, Pollard Banknote’s reputation and success in the lottery industry is evidence of his foresight. His legacy will live on for decades to come. Laurie Pollard was not just an intelligent; business savvy and successful man; but a man that was kind; compassionate; patient and insightful, with a witty and wonderful sense of humour. Rest In Peace, L.O. Thank you for making a difference in our lives. - Posted by: Christine Austman Bennett (Former Employee ) on: Jan 10, 2019

• My deepest sympathies to the entire Pollard family. I always enjoyed the lunch time conversations with L.O. He will be missed by all who knew him. - Posted by: Allison Burns (former employee) on: Jan 10, 2019

• Always enjoyed his down to earth company from the youngest of 3 kind brothers from a down to earth family..he sent me a kind letter a couple of years ago about something I sent him through Wally Gregora and his sister..very very nice man and great family. God bless! - Posted by: Dale olnick (Ex inlaw) on: Jan 10, 2019

• I was saddened to hear of the passing of a dear man, L.O Pollard. As my former employer, Mr. Pollard and his sons were instrumental for giving me the encouragement to be a life long learner. In addition his company is responsible for starting the career of countless young students that chose to study print. He will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Jan Hamilton (Former Employee ) on: Jan 10, 2019

• We were very very saddened to hear of Dear Lawrie's passing Miss you sooo much already LO, While I was employed by Pollard Banknote, I had the great pleasure of working in the office,, where I would see Lawrie come in the front doors everyday with a very friendly Good Morning and wishing everyone well.. Lawrie, truly was an amazing man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed a remarkable life and I feel very Blessed to have worked with him and proud to call him my friend,, Lawrie and I hung out, before I retired, we had a very fun time. He always had many wonderful stories of the past, including time spent with his brothers when they were young and working hard to make Pollard Banknote the wonderful company that is now.. Lawrie will be missed by soo many.. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Pollard family and May ALL your fond Memories of Lawrie always keep him close with much Love and Kindest Regards Ken & Jan Hocken - Posted by: Jan (Friend/employee) on: Jan 10, 2019

• I felt sad to hear this news this morning. Lawrie Pollard was one of my earliest mentors through his sponsorship of Junior Achievement - thus one of the more memorable influencers in my own life journey to whom I will remain grateful - I send my deep condolences to the entire Pollard family - Posted by: AnnaMaria Magnifico (acquaintance) on: Jan 10, 2019

• My deepest condolences to the Pollard family. LO was a wonderful man who always made time for all of the staff and made us smile, you could tell that he cared about all of us. A wonderful story teller. I enjoyed hearing many of his golf stories. Hope to see LO on the tee box up there someday, would love to have a Gin with him, listen to some stories and smack a little white ball in between. - Posted by: Martin Bruyère (Former employee) on: Jan 09, 2019

• My deepest sympathies at this time to the Entire Pollard family L.O. was a very nice man from a long time employee Paul Coelho and family. - Posted by: Paul ( employee) on: Jan 09, 2019

• I had the honour of meeting Mr. Pollard back in 2006. He immediately made me feel welcome and ALWAYS made me chuckle when he’d jokingly say: “Where is my office? This is NOT my office?!”. His presence will undoubtedly be missed. Heartfelt condolences to the entire Pollard family and to all of the Pollard employees. xoxo - Posted by: Christèle Gagné Childerhouse (Former Employee) on: Jan 09, 2019

• Like so many others, I had the honor of not only being able to work for this great man for 27 years, but also to have the privilage of listening to and learning from his legendary stories. I have many wonderful memories of L.O. that I will forever cherish. He was such a kind and thoughtful man. I will never forget how he used to peek into my office window to see if I was there before he came in for a little chit chat which usually lasted quite some time. I enjoyed every minute of our conversations. His stories were not only interesting, they usually had quite a bit of humor as well. He was extremely well respected not only in his place of business but through out the community and around the world as well. And he was loved with a passion by those of us who had the honor of working for him. He will be greatly missed ...but forever remembered. My very deepest condolences to the entire Pollard family. - Posted by: Teri Masson (Former Employee ) on: Jan 09, 2019

• My thoughts are with Mr. Pollard's family and to his staff at Pollard. He was a good man. I left Pollard years ago, but I remember his kindness and the respect that everyone had for him. - Posted by: Lynne-Marie MacDuff (Former employee ) on: Jan 08, 2019

• L.O. was a great man. Such a wonderful and interesting communicator and so caring for others. I had the good fortune to have met his twin brothers Doug and Earl as well. Here is hoping they are reunited now in the heavens. To the Pollard family - your husband and father was a giant amongst men - he took chances to innovate PBL into one of Canada's premier secure printing facilities - he was not short on gumption or the ability to influence. Turn your thoughts now to the wonderful memories of him to keep him close for all days. - Posted by: Marina James (Friend ) on: Jan 08, 2019

• I'm truly sorry for loss of such a good man at home and at his company. Many employees say what a kind and good man Mr. Pollard was to work for. He was a fair employer and considered his employees like family. - Posted by: Angela (Friend of friends who work at Pollard) on: Jan 08, 2019

• I had the pleasure of meeting L.O. for the first time in 1997 - and later that year to be employed by his company - and count myself among so many others as fortunate to have met and got to know him in a modest but impacting way over the years that followed. As an employee, I came to relish the opportunities to be pulled (drawn?) into his office – I say “came to” as I was usually on my way to speak to my VP across the hall when L.O. called me in i.e. I was supposed to be working :) - to discuss - sometimes for hours - everything from work to art to golf (the latter of which I knew nothing about but he managed to get me overtly engaged anyway somehow… such was one of his many gifts!) to the more personal and important things like family, the significance of integrity, modesty, generosity towards other (whatever form that may take), community, being true to yourself and those around you and just generally being a good person. In this spirit and in my memory he was and will remain a special human being who positively impacted and informed the lives of myself and so many around him, will be sorely missed, but will continue to live on through the memories and the legacy he leaves behind. Most sincere and heartfelt sympathies from my family to the Pollard family during this difficult time. ~Glen Knapp (former employee) - Posted by: Glen Knapp (Former Employee) on: Jan 08, 2019

• I have worked for Mr. Pollard for 22 years now, and throughout that time I have always been consistently impressed by this man, and the quality of his character. A familiar face on the factory floor right until the end, all of us who worked for him (and his sons) have always shared the same feeling, that we worked for a great man, and a great family. I feel a sense of pride when I see that family name on the plaques of theatres, museums, galleries, etc. around the city. He did very well for himself in his lifetime, and he was generous about giving back to the community and making our city a better place to live. I enjoyed talking to him on the work floor, or in the lunchroom, or seeing him cheering on us runners on the Manitoba Marathon course when we passed by, he was always out there and cheering vigorously. To the family, I am very sorry for your loss, he was a great man and will truly be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him. - Posted by: Trevor Doerksen (Employee) on: Jan 08, 2019