Eugene Joseph Polaski, 81, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on April 8, 2017 at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. He was the loving Husband of Betty Jo E. (Huhn) Polaski.
Born in Old Forge, PA., he was the son of the late Anthony and Genevieve Polaski.
He received his Undergraduate Degree at Mansfield State College and his post graduate from Penn State University and Trenton State University. He later received his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Temple University.
He proudly served in the US Army.
Gene was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Lancaster Pa. and in his later years Calvary Church, Lancaster, PA.
Eugene spent much of his career as a music educator at Pennsbury Senior High School, Bucks County, PA from 1967 to 1981 and was director of the marching band, concert band and jazz band.
His accomplishments were taking the jazz band, his first love, and marching band overseas to England where they performed at the famed Royal Albert Hall and various jazz clubs throughout the country, as well as performing for the Queen of England. His jazz band performed regularly for the Philadelphia 76ers as well as a featured guest on the popular daytime program, Mike Douglas show. After retiring from teaching he began a 28-year career at the Lancaster county prison as a commitment officer and received the prestigious “Lock and Key Award”.
Gene is survived by: his wife of 55 years Betty Jo Polaski of Lancaster, PA; a daughter, Elizabeth Larsen, wife of Mike Larsen of Cumming, Ga; sons, Mark Polaski of Levittown, PA and Ted Polaski husband of Rhonda Polaski of Holtwood, PA. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, Erik & Andrew Polaski, Elle, Isabel, Thomas & Helena Larsen. Rhiannon Enck-Polaski and a great-grandchild, Finley Polaski. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.