Obituary: POLLEI, PAUL

Paul Cannon Pollei1936 ~ 2013Paul Cannon Pollei passed away on July 18, 2013. His sweet wife Norene, having left this life herself just over two months ago, clearly used her influence and chose her own birthday to bring Paul back to her as a birthday present. Paul was born May 9, 1936 to Eric Charles Pollei and Emily Cannon Pollei. He grew up in the family home on 76 S Street and attended Bryant Jr. High, East High School and the University of Utah. He attended Eastman School of Music and received his Ph.D. at Florida State University. He was a member of the piano faculty at Brigham Young University, where he taught for over 40 years.Paul married Norene Barrus on June 24, 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple. His daughter Emilie was born in Rochester, New York, October 3, 1962 and Mark was born in Provo, Utah, October 14, 1966. Paul was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including Bishop of a BYU student ward. But we heard him say that his favorite calling was as Primary Pianist, accompanying the children's singing. He served in the Paris, France mission where he enjoyed the food, culture and people of Paris.You can't say the name "Paul" without the word "Piano" in the same breath. In 1976 Paul founded the Gina Bachauer International Piano competition, which has grown to become the second largest piano competition in the United States. He was a founding member of the American Piano Quartet and a jury member for many national and international piano competitions throughout the world. As a devoted teacher he presented workshops, lectures and masterclasses to numerous pianists around the globe. He was very active in the work of the National Conference on Piano Pedagogy, the Music Teachers National Association, and the World Federation of Music Competitions.We love you, Dad. Wherever we went in the world there was bound to be someone, a stranger to us but a friend to you, who would ask, "Oh! Are you related to Paul?" People remembered you. You made an impression on people. You were an ambassador to the world. You encouraged so many young people to love, not just piano, but life. You were passionate and enthusiastic about life. You believed in the transforming power of art. You were an optimist, a demanding teacher, and a mentor and world traveller with a friend in every port. We will miss your laughter, your big hugs, infectious smile and witty banter.Paul was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Eric. He is survived by his children Emilie and Mark, daughter-in-law Jennifer, grandsons Edward and Henry, and his brothers Robert and David Pollei.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 25, 2013 at the Edgemont 21st Ward Chapel, 2900 North Timpview Drive, Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Wednesday from 6-8:00 p.m., and at the church Thursday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Hills, Provo, Utah. Condolences may be emailed to info@bergmortuary.com.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation. www.bachauer.com