Fernando Pola

September 21, 1925 - December 31, 2007

A native Cape Codder, Fred was born and raised in Sandwich, MA. He graduated from Henry T. Wing High School and served in the Armed Forces during World War II. He attended Dartmouth College and received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees from Tufts University.

In 1954, Fred and his family moved to Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya, and began a long career with DoDDS as a teacher, principal, and acting superintendent. This career took him to Evreux, France; Verona, Italy; Wiesbaden and Hahn, Germany; and a final posting at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. While abroad, he also taught history at several different universities.

In 1961, the French government honored Fred by making him a Chevalier Des Palmes Academiques, the highest honor awarded by the French Ministry of Education.

In 1983, Fred, his wife of 59 years Louise, and their 4 children retired to their home in Sandwich where he continued his favorite pastimes as an avid hunter, fisherman, gardner, and historian. He was noted for his “clambakes” where he entertained family and friends with lobster right off the boat. One of his fondest retirement accomplishments was his volunteer work with the “Geezer Brigade” to rebuild the Sandwich Boardwalk in 1991-92.

Working with Fred was fun, enlightening and challenging, There was never a dull moment. He will be missed by family and friends and remembered as one who “marched to his own drumbeat”.