1937
Earl
2023
Earl DeSales Pope
November 28, 1937 — July 8, 2023
Mount Savage
Earl DeSales Pope, 85, of Mount Savage, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Born November 28, 1937, in Garrett County, to the late Claude and Regina (Loraditch) Pope. In addition to
his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Rosezita U. (Robison) Pope; brothers,
Fr. Benedict (Edward) Pope, Eugene Francis Pope, and Stephen Hilary Pope; and a great grandson, Connor
Lipscomb.
Earl was a member of St. Michael’s Church at Divine Mercy Parish, Frostburg, and the Mt. Savage
Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief and President. He was a member of the Local 37
Operating Engineers for 50+ years and was Owner Operator of the PM Company for 25 years.
Earl was known to teach many life lessons. As a farmer: you pick rocks on Memorial Day and pick potatoes
on Labor Day. Mechanic’s assistant: hold the flashlight steady, don’t drop the screws or nuts, and know the
difference between a wrench, rachet and a screwdriver. Sports: a basketball player should never miss a free
throw; golf, you should know the game is not easy, just take the swing, make a perfect drive and never pick
the club up again. Community: always find ways to help your neighbor, church, and community
organization. Family: let Mom administer the discipline, give lectures on life as needed, never ASSUME,
because we all know what happens when you do. Love: hold hands with your wife every Sunday on the way
to church.
Earl enjoyed helping his community by volunteering his services as a mechanic to local farmers and the local
fire department, including plowing snow and cutting grass.
Several of Earl’s joys in life included square dancing with his wife, calling square dances, calling numbers at
the Bingo games, and most of all restoring old tractors to their original glory.
Surviving are his children, Leo Pope and wife Michele, Vicky Polinsky and husband Greg, Marie Miller,
Donna Wallmark and husband Chris, Joe Pope and wife Annette; six grandchildren, four step grandchildren,
five great grandchildren, six step great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, two step great-great
grandchild; brothers, James L. Pope, David Pope and companion, Sandy.
Family and friends will be received at Durst Funeral Home, 57 Frost Avenue, Frostburg, on Tuesday, July
11, 2023 from 4 to 7 pm.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s, Mt Savage on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11 am with Father
Doug Kenney officiating and niece, Christine Upole as Cantor.
Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Mt. Savage.
Pallbearers are Patrick Pope, Michael Ringler, Nathan Miller, Bill Miller, Isaac Polinsky and Zachary
Polinsky. Honorary pallbearers, James Pope, Dave Pope, Dennis Lashley, Tom Beal, Jim Frankenberry and
Robert Fuller.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary donations be made to Friends of St. Patrick Church Mount
Savage, Inc. 949 Seton Drive, Apt. 3, Cumberland, MD 21502. or Mt. Savage Historical Society Box 401,
Mt. Savage, MD 21545.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Earl DeSales Pope, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Durst Funeral Home
Mass
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
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