Louis (Lou) Pollock

1930-2021 

Lou, 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov 13th, 2021. He was predeceased by his loving wife Florence of 58 years in 2011, and three brothers John, Rudy & Joe. He will be sadly missed by his children Gary (Linda), Lori (Brett), David (Louise), Jim (Corrie) as well as his 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

In 2010, The Music Professionals of Manitoba, Local 190, American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, recognized Lou with a plaque and pin for his 50-plus years of service with the association. He was an honored, long time Rainbow Stage Hall-of-Fame inductee that was proudly presented this prestigious award in 2016.

Lou’s connection with Rainbow Stage goes back to the early years. He was a familiar fixture in the orchestra pit for almost five decades, many of them as lead trumpet. Finding a good lead trumpet player is like discovering gold. No show band of any stature can be without one and Lou was the first-call in the city for most of those years.

Stars from the entertainment world often came to Winnipeg, and usually hired local musicians. How important for these performers to know that there was a lead trumpet player in Winnipeg who could handle the demands of the arrangements that those entertainers often brought with them! Lou worked with some of the biggest stars in the business such as Liberace, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett and many others!

There were several TV variety shows originating in Winnipeg through the ’70’s and virtually every one of them had Lou in the lead trumpet chair. Bob McMullen, one of the original Wall of Fame inductees, and Lou, had a special relationship. Lou was Bob’s go-to player for recordings, television shows, commercials, any kind of musical endeavor!

Somewhere around the Rainbow Stage production of Oliver in 1988, Lou became fondly known as ‘Uncle Lou’ to his colleagues at Rainbow Stage. Rumor has it that his nephew was in the cast and would look for his ‘Uncle Lou’ to bum quarters for the vending machine.

The family wishes to thank all of the medial and professional staff who took good care of Dad at Irene Baron Eden Centre and Bethania Personal Care Home.

Celebration of life will be held on Friday, Nov 26th at 11:00am at St. Alphonsus Church, 315 Munroe Ave. Lunch to follow.

COVID protocols to be followed. Proof of vaccination & masks required.