Obituaries

Michael Wilbur Pollak, aged 73, of Hayward, CA, passed away on October 22, 2025, in Castro Valley, CA.

Michael was born on April 15, 1952 in International Falls, MN to Adam & Pearl Pollak.

He graduated from Tulare Western High School in 1971 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from California State University, Hayward.

Continuing his interest in airplanes, he served in the United States Air Force from 1974 to 1980 as an Integrated Avionics Component Specialist.

After serving in the USAF, he continued working in IT support service.

Married Debra Bartholomew on June 21, 1980 in the old base chapel at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, NY.

He was an avid reader of science fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, The New Yorker magazine, humor, and history. He enjoyed classic movies, biography programs, sudoku, British television & film, and watching planes.

He is predeceased by his parents, Adam & Pearl Pollak.

Michael is survived by his wife of 45 years, Debra; daughter, Cynthia; brother, Adam (Norma) Pollak; sisters, Fran (Bob Jaffe) Gardner, Catherine (Anne Bermingham) Sanborn; nephew, Derek Pollak; nieces, Lyza Gardner, Maggie Gardner; grandnephew, Augie Holden; grandnieces, Carlee Pollak, Caylin Pollak, and Willa Holden.

Michael’s Celebration of Life will be on December 14, 2025, at 2pm, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1301 Mowry Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536.

His interment with military honors will be this coming summer in Lake City, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Abode, to aid in ending homelessness, in memory of Michael Wilbur Pollak.