Norman Polner

Norman (Norm) Polner passed away on February 27, 2016 after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's. He was blessed to be able to pass away in the comfort of his home and in the loving company of his daughter Elaine and grandsonJesse.He enjoyed a well lived life which included:Residences in Newton, Natick, and Attleboro, MA.An honorable discharge as a veteran of World War II. Norm served in the European Theater in Patton's Army. He was a graduate of Tufts Engineering School with an MBA from Boston University. He was one of the lucky few who knew exactly what he wanted to do in life for a career and was afforded the opportunity to do just that. He took great pride in, and derived much enjoyment from, working as an Engineer and Project Manager for C.S. Draper Laboratory, Inc. of Cambridge, Ma. from 1954 to 1989, during which time his field of expertise was focused on developing inertial navigation guidance systems for use in the aviation industry.His passions also included traveling the globe, experiencing other countries and cultures, and enjoying worldwide sailing expeditions with close friends, as well as being an avid connoisseur of Chinese food! He was a talented painter of watercolors and enjoyed painting exquisite flowers, not limited to, but especially in his later years.By far his greatest legacy and the things he will be remembered for most by those who love him were his generosity and desire to help others, his compassionate caring and loving nature, and the fact that he was a true gentleman. What he held closest to his heart and cherished most in life were his family and friends. He was the beloved son of the late Henry Polner and Dora (Levine) Polner.He leaves behind his dearly loved family;Daughter Elaine Rusk, of Attleboro, MA; Granddaughter Mandy Rusk-Shamrell and husband, Michael, of Attleboro, MA; Grandson Jesse Rusk of Waltham, MA; Grandson Kyle Rusk and his wife, Melissa, of North Attleboro, MA; his previous wife and life- long friend, Honey (Shaffer) Polner of Attleboro, MA; Brother Maury Polner and his wife, Vivian, of Irvine, CA; Niece Holly Attia; Niece Marisa Masson and her husband, Joel; Nephew Larry Polner; Nephew Donny Polner; Niece Lisa Polner Murray; Five grand-nieces and two grand-nephews; and last, but certainly not least, his lifelong best friends: Alfred Simon of Newton, MA and Pete Mathews of Needham, MA. Norman was the beloved father of the late Faye Susan Polner, who was the victim of a senseless unsolved murder in Boston in 1979.He also leaves behind a wonderful group of people worldwide who have either been afflicted with Alzheimer's and or dementia, and their truly amazing caregivers, who together reached out to him sharing a magnitude of their love for him. For without them the past 21 months of his life would not have been as full and rich as it was!A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 19, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. In keeping with his love for Chinese food, the event will be held at the Roseland Function Hall located on the backside of the Hong Kong City Restaurant, 174 Broadway, Taunton, MA. Anyone wishing to pay their respect to Norm and his family is invited to attend.Burial services will be private.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, via Elaine Rusk's (Norm's daughter) "Walk for Alzheimer's" donation page: http://act.alz.org/goto/PaintingToRememberTo send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit either on-line location: www.Facebook.com/PaintingToRemember or www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, 508-695-0200