Timmy Pollitt
Timmy Pollitt, 31, beloved son, grandson, brother, friend and loyal Mountaineers fan, passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father early Easter morning, April 24, 2011, at a CAMC hospital. His death was the result of head trauma sustained in an accidental fall at home on the morning of April 21, 2011.
He will be remembered in Charleston as the lively Al E. Cat, mascot for the hometown baseball team. Timmy spent a number of summers in the stifling hot costume, entertaining fans young and old. He loved being the mascot as it allowed him to show his enthusiastic and fun loving personality, while bringing joy to many people.
Timothy David Pollitt was born July 3, 1979, at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, to David R. Pollitt and Anna Epperly Pollitt.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Alexander Pollitt of Charleston; and his maternal grandparents, Ralph and Lola Morgan Epperly of Cool Ridge.
Timmy will be missed by his grandmother, Ann Gaspard Pollitt of Charleston, who relied on her dutiful grandson to care for her yard, feed her wild birds and make frequent visits.
He first attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in South Charleston when he was only three days old. He was in attendance there at the Tenebrae service Wednesday night, only hours before his accident. Blessed Sacrament is the backdrop for much of the Pollitt family life. As an adolescent, Timmy thrived in the Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) experience at the John XXIII Pastoral Center.
Cross Lanes was home to the Pollitts during Timmy's childhood. It was there he went to school, graduating with the Nitro High School class of 1997. As a young boy, Timmy enjoyed playing baseball, with his father as coach. A friendship with Kevin Waugh was forged on the baseball field; it was a friendship that would endure throughout Timmy's life.
While attending West Virginia University, Timmy adopted a ferret, Rocco, who become another dear confidant and part of the family. Timmy took Rocco with him everywhere he could and the two spent hours together. Timmy and the family have numerous entertaining stories of Rocco and Timmy was devastated by the loss of the littlest member of the family. Graduation from WVU with a degree in communications in 2002 ended Timmy's years as an official Mountaineer maniac. Those happy years are well documented with published photos of Timmy applying face paint to his fellow maniacs pre-game. His love for Mountaineer sports did not diminish with graduation. He remained a loyal fan through March Madness 2011. His future plans centered around the Quarrier Diner, the historic downtown restaurant and bar being renovated by the Pollitts, where Timmy was to be a manager. In December, he had received a degree in restaurant and hospitality management from West Virginia State University, in preparation for this role.
Timmy was a kind, loving, exuberant person and a respectful and devoted son.
Because he died so young, he leaves many to mourn.
He is survived by his brother, Christopher (Melissa) Pollitt of Charleston, S.C.; sister, Lisa Dawn Pollitt of Tega Cay, S.C.; niece, Sophia Ann Pollitt; and nephew, Aidan Christopher Pollitt, both of Charleston, S.C.; aunts and uncles, Jean (Gerald) Helm of Greensburg, Ind., Ruth (Roger) Yost of Cool Ridge, W.Va., Mason (Glenda) Epperly of Cool Ridge, W.Va., Donald (Nancy) Epperly of Buchanan, Va., Ralphetta (Mike) Bailey of Greenville, S.C., and Bob Pollitt of Charleston, W.Va.; and cousins, Rob Pollitt of Charlotte, N.C., Traci Pollitt of South Charleston, W.Va., Kevin (Karla) Helm of Indianapolis, Ind., Kenyon (Patty) Helm of Lebanon, Ind., Chad (Laura) Epperly of Buchanan, Va., Donnie (Connie) Epperly of Bridgeport, W.Va., Lesleyy (Scott) Cottrell of Morgantown, W.Va., and Robbie Bailey and Scott Bailey, both of Greenville, S.C.
The family wishes to send a very special thank you to the doctors and nurses of the CAMC General Hospital Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit, who treated Tim with dignity and provided outstanding care and support to Tim and his family. Their kindness in such a difficult time will be remembered always. Special thanks also go to Tim's friends, Kevin, Adam, Jim and Jason, as well as family, friends and neighbors for their outpouring of sympathy and support.
