John F. Polacco

John F. "Johnny" Polacco, of Abbey Street, Kingston, President of Saint Mary's Benevolent Society, died Monday, September 20, 2010. He was 85. A native and lifelong resident of Kingston Point, he was a son of the late James and Fortunata Naccarato Polacco, Sr. A Kingston High School graduate, he served in WW II as Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force. Johnny was stationed at Okinawa, Japan in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He was a member of Joyce Schirick Post 1386, V.F.W. and American Legion, Kingston Post #150. He married Pauline M. Gardecki August 17, 1947. For over 40 years he worked for The Hutton Brick Co., East Kingston. He served as Shop Steward for Teamsters Local 445 and retired in 1990 as an Operating Engineer. A longtime member of Benevolenza Associazione Santa Maria, for many years he served as Secretary. Johnny has served as President for over 35 years, a position he currently held. He was involved with the Society's Annual Feast and all aspects of the organization. Johnny was a parishioner and Usher at St. Mary's Church. One brother Charles J. Polacco Sr. died in August 30, 2010. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Pauline M. "Beb" Polacco, two daughters Diane Short and her husband Gary of Kingston; Tina Chambers and her husband Kevin of Kingston; two sisters Caroline M. Ferraro of Kingston and Joan-Marie Komosa of Brewster, Mass., two brothers Anthony Polacco of Feeding Hills, Mass. and James J. Polacco Jr. of Kingston, five grandchildren Gary Robert Short, Shaun Smith, Cybill Smith, Kellie Lynne Chambers and Paul Walter Chambers; two great grandchildren Dylan and Kendyl Short; many nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Wednesday 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. KINGSTON POST #150, AMERICAN LEGION: Will conduct a ritual for John Polacco on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Simpson Gaus Funeral Home. JOYCE SCHIRICK POST #1396, V.F.W.: Will conduct a ritual for John Polacco on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Simpson Gaus Funeral Home. ST. MARY'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY: Will conduct a service for President John Polacco on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. at Simpson Gaus Funeral Home. The funeral procession will form on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment, with military honors by Joyce Schirick Post 1386, will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes, NENY/Hudson Valley Branch, 11 Marshall Road, Suite 1-H, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 for "Kellie's Krusaders."