Eddie L. Polk, Sr.

Eddie L. Polk, Sr., 71, of Gardner, died peacefully Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Fitchburg Healthcare, Fitchburg, after an illness.

Born in Springfield on November 30, 1949, he was the son of the late Franklin P. Polk, Jr. and Dorothea (Wimbish) Polk. He graduated from Putnam High School, Springfield. Eddie was a United States Army Vietnam War and Persian Gulf Veteran serving from 1968 to 1970. He was always proud to tell of his time in the 82nd Airborne Division and how he would parachute from planes. After receiving his honorable discharge from the Army, he reenlisted with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he served from 1970 to 2006 in the 110th Maintenance Unit and previously in the Yankee Division. Through his 29-years of military service, Eddie served in various roles, most recently working as a seamstress in the tent shop from 1989 to 2006, stitching uniforms for the Military Academy at Camp Edwards, and in the welding shop from 1983 to 1989. For his service, Eddie received the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Desert Storm Service Ribbon, and the Massachusetts Service Medal.

Eddie was a member of the Franco- American Veterans Club of Leominster. He enjoyed cooking, listening to music, watching westerns and shopping. He loved all the good times with his friends, family and especially his grandchildren, who will all miss him dearly.

Eddie is survived by his three sons, Eddie L. Polk, Jr., of Springfield, Jeremy L. Polk of Worcester, and Robert A. Polk of Gardner; two daughters, Ayesha Polk of Gardner and Rheana Rodriguez and her husband Juan of Gardner; grandchildren, Darius Fuentes, Robert Polk, Essence Ervin, Jarel Polk, Rejaya A. Miller, Traeye James Polk, Francis O. Arbolay, Anthony M. Racine, Daneil K. Mroue, Melinda C. Carrasquillo, Pheonia K. Carrasquillo, Xia L. Hill, Dallas D. Hill, Abraham D. Hill, Christian J. Rodriguez, and Xavier J. Rodriguez; several great-grandchildren; siblings, Alfred Polk and his wife Sandra, Adlee Polk, Antonio Polk and his wife Kathy, Raymond Jerome Polk and his wife  Kim, Marie Walker and her husband Victor and Faith Richardson; an aunt, Mamie Duncan; an uncle, Calvin Wimbish; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by two grandsons, Thomas S. Racine, and Robert A. Polk, Jr.; and three brothers, Lawrence Polk, Sr., Franklin P. Polk, III, and Robert E.K. Polk.

A Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will be held Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, 268 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Eddie L. Polk, Sr.