Help Lisa and Family Honor Charlie's Legacy

On August 29th, Lisa and the kids' lives were changed forever with the loss of her forever love and husband, Charlie.

Charles Edward Pollard II was born on March 8, 1969; the first son born to Dennis and Mary Pollard. Charlie would be joined eighteen months later by his sister Anne, his brother, Matthew, and youngest sister Clare.

Charlie was a bright and beautiful little boy full of life. Dennis and Mary moved to Birmingham with Charlie and Anne in 1972. They joined Holy Name Catholic Church, where Charlie attended grade school for 8 years and made lifelong friends. In the 7th and 8th grade, Charlie attended Camp Santa Maria in Gaylord, MI. He loved that experience and was awarded "Camper of the Year".

From very early on, Charlie’s personality touched the lives of many. He was a fiercely loyal friend with a terrific sense of humor. Charlie truly loved sports and was an avid fan and "statistician" of the Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Pistons, and Notre Dame Football.

After graduating from Holy Name, Charlie became a Brother Rice Warrior (1984-1987). He played soccer and loved his high school days at Brother Rice. Senior year, he was awarded the Soccer Scholar-Athlete Award. From the moment Charlie set foot on Brother Rice campus, he developed great friendships. You see, Charlie just had a way of attracting people to him, with his soft heart and kind personality, beautiful smile, and a genuine love of life!

After graduating from Brother Rice in 1987, Charlie attended the University of Notre Dame. This was really special to Charlie because of the love his father and two uncles have for Fighting Irish Football (Uncle Terry and Tim). In 1988, Charlie participated in the famous Notre Dame "Bookstore Basketball" with his good friends, Michael Uhran, Dan Russell, John Lane, and Steven Carr. Charlie and his friends' team eventually lost to Tim Brown's team, the Heisman Trophy winner.

Charlie and Lisa met in Maui in 1987 and have been together ever since. They were married in 1995 at Holy Name Catholic Church and welcomed three beautiful children into this world: Madeleine, Olivia, and Brady. They were truly the best team and parents you could ever meet. As a lot of you know, Brady has special needs with his low-functioning Autism. Brady has always needed a specific level of care and attention, and Lisa and Charlie were always his best advocates and supporters. Charlie, his brother Matthew, and our families have participated for years in the “Ernie Els for Autism” golf charity events (Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, Chicago, Detroit, and Las Vegas). Charlie was passionate about raising funds to help further the awareness and growth around Autism, with both "Els for Autism" and now "Little City School of Autism".

Charlie and Lisa lived in Santa Monica, CA for 3 years. When they were expecting their first child in 1998, they moved back to the Midwest. While Madeleine was a toddler, they moved to Hinsdale and St. Isaac Jogues Parish. Charlie was so proud of his family and devoted himself to every aspect of their lives. Husband, Father, Basketball coach, soccer coach, and faithful parishioner at St. Isaac’s. It’s important to share how Charlie supported the Little City School for Autism where Brady now resides and goes to school. Participating each of the last 8 years in fundraisers, supporting Brady and all the autistic kids.

Charlie began his career in the software industry at Compuware in August of 1994. In September of 2006, he joined Autodesk, and it was the start of an impactful relationship with his boss, Neal Nicholas. That journey and close friendship went on for 18 years, and when Neal left Autodesk in 2017, Charlie moved with him to Dassault Systems. Throughout his software sales career, Charlie was loved by all his co-workers and clients. He was a trusted advisor that passionately cared for the success of everyone around him. He was welcoming to everyone and drove results with a great sense of humor and humility.

Charlie died much too soon on August 29th, 2024. Charlie is truly blessed to have the Holy Name, Brother Rice, Notre Dame, and Univ of Detroit communities he loved so much, all mourn his loss.

Charlie is survived by his adoring wife Lisa, and three children, Madeleine, Olivia, and Brady. He is also survived by his devoted mother and father, Mary and Dennis Pollard. Sisters, Anne and Clare, brother, Matthew, brothers-in-law, Scott and Brian Hanson, sister-in-law Armanda Hanson, and mother-in-law, Ann Hanson. He is also survived by in-laws, Sean Gill and 7 beautiful nieces and nephews: Brendan, Gannon, Casey, and his youngest nephew Teddy. His niece Millie. And Tyler and Katelyn Hanson.

The Pollard and Hanson family are heartbroken over the loss of our beloved Charlie; loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend! We cherish his life and countless memories he left behind, taking solace in the beliefs of our Faith that his earthly Grandfather and Grandmother, Catherine and John, Marie and Charles Pollard greeted him at the gates of Heaven, as their grandson Charlie entered our Lord's Kingdom! Our family will never be the same without Charlie here on earth, but you may rest now in peace and we will see you again one day in Heaven!

It is now our turn to be there for Lisa and the children, just like Charlie passionately supported Little City and Els for Autism. All donations raised will assist his beautiful wife Lisa, and most importantly ensure the support and growth of Brady at Little City School of Autism, and assist Olivia as she finishes school. #Grateful