Barbara Emily Polak, “Bobbi” 88 of Highland Falls, NY passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024, in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
She was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1935, and raised in Palisades Park, NJ. She attended Leonia High School and the Latin America Institute in New York. She married 1LT Alexander Polak in 1957.
As a military family, they were stationed in multiple locations until their final duty assignment at West Point, NY in 1976.
As a wife, mother, and community leader, she impacted the lives of many.
She was a brilliant woman. Her interest in politics and the stock market was unrivaled. She was passionate about baking, cooking, and thoroughly enjoyed reading cookbooks cover to cover.
Her greatest loves were her family and her community. She truly believed in serving family, community, and country.
As a mother, she was the heart of our family and always an example of love, resilience, and strength. She had a great source of pride in her five children, 16 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She was a mother to more than just her family. She impacted generations of cadets through her killer tailgates, cadet sleepovers, table time with Mrs. P, and her ‘pound cake’.
In the community, she was a leader. She was a visionary leader and small business owner in Highland Falls… Castaways, Variety Shop, and the General Store
She served on the Congressional Service Academy selection committee. She was President of CHAIN (Community Help, Action, Improvement Now), established in 1980, and founder and president of Vision, Town Highlands, Inc. for nearly 20 years.
She is the epitome of the greatest generation.
Preceded in death by her husband, Alexander, her mother Victoria, and her sister, Patricia. She is survived by her children, Corey Knowlton (Jim) Lafayette CA. Keith Polak (Kathy) Lewes DE, Kevin Polak Highland Falls NY, Chris Polak (Melissa) O’Katie SC, Kate Giordano (Frank) Franklin Lakes, NJ: 16 grandchildren: Jimmy Knowlton(Courtney), Pat Knowlton (Alison), Chris (Racheal), Mark Knowlton, Shawn Knowlton (Carrianna), Meghan Costa (Chris), Stephanie Hey (David), Tori Polak, Matthew Polak, Ryan Polak(Lauren), McKenna Polak, Connor Polak, Teagan Polak, Alexandra Harras (John), Michael Giordano (Blakely), Samantha Giordano. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren: Hadley Knowlton: Hudson, Collins, Parker, and Scout Knowlton: Mattson and Brody Knowlton: Charlotte Knowlton: Mackenzie and Olivia Costa: Aspen Polak: Jack Harras: Finn, Holly, Hazel and Fletcher Giordano.
There will be a viewing from 4 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY 10928. Church service will be on September 9, 2024, at 12 PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 353 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY. The gravesite ceremony will follow at 1:30 PM at the West Point Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to: Valley Hospice:.valleyhospice.org/ways-to-give-donation-form Or Make checks payable to the Barbara Polak Memorial Fund to benefit community initiatives in Highland Falls, send checks to Kate (Polak) Giordano, 296 Forest Glen Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Arrangements by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, (845) 446-2868.wfhoganfuneralhome.com