Tony Pomerleau, an iconic Vermont developer and noted philanthropist, died Thursday afternoon surrounded by family members, according to his son, Ernie Pomerleau.
He was 100.
The Burlington real estate mogul’s name graces several city buildings, including the police department headquarters on North Avenue and the YMCA on College Street. Among his bigger pledges to local nonprofits, Pomerleau gave $1 million to the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington in 2014, and donated to the new Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center building. He also pitched in $500,000 for the redesign of Burlington’s City Hall Park. As recently as November, Pomerleau donated $1,000 to Mayor Miro Weinberger’s reelection campaign.
Pomerleau was known for throwing an annual holiday party that provided gifts to low-income children and attracted the state’s top politicians.
Pomerleau was born in Quebec in 1917, and grew up in Barton and then Newport. He earned a fortune as a mall developer and ran Pomerleau Real Estate, which continues as a family empire based in Burlington. At December’s holiday party, the 37th annual, Gov. Phil Scott described Pomerleau’s rags-to-riches story as inspiration “for many in living the American dream.”
Pomerleau’s death drew tributes and condolences Friday from around the state, including from Vermont’s congressional delegation and a host of businessmen and pols.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is married to Pomerleau’s niece Marcelle, recalled “Uncle Tony” warmly welcoming him to the family. “We think of the good he has done for others, but in the end we think of a loving member of our family, and while not unexpected, it is a loss that will be felt by all of us over the generations,” Leahy said in a statement.
Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) praised Pomerleau as an “indefatigable legend” with a “‘can do’ attitude.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), too, sent along a tribute: “Tony Pomerleau, a friend for over 35 years, was one of the most remarkable human beings that I’ve ever met. His love for Vermont and the city of Burlington was contagious, and his incredible generosity helped thousands of families in our state.”
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Every time a greedy old rich person dies, an angel gets their wings. It makes me feel ill the way politicians and others grovel to them. We need to tax these millionaires like we did before republicans hijacked our government by suppressing votes and gerrymandering. His kids should not be getting fat bank accounts, that money should be going to the public good.
Years ago, when I was employed at the Baird Center/Howard, I would take my kids to the annual Christmas dinner. Mr. Pomerleau was always friendly, make a point of greeting everyone and supplied the “party goers” with delicious food, gifts and care packages to take home, something many of these kids and their families would not have on Christmas day. It was always a wonderful, light happy day.
He was a generous human being and more people with monies should follow his lead and give back to their communities. I hope his family and friends learned from his examples and continue that tradition. Rest in peace, Mr. Pomerleau.
Although I never agreed with Tonys politics or his choice in friends ( Sanders, Leahy) his way of giving back to the state and the people that live here is to be commended. Rest in peace Mr. Pomerleau and my condolences go out to his family.
As for you Julie Green you sound like a true socialist saying that a person should work hard their entire life and be forced to give everything they have earned to the government in order to fund a bunch of people living off the welfare state. In America hard work pays off, no has ever gotten wealthy from sucking off the government except the corrupt officials that run our government. And trust me all their kids have very fat bank accounts. Just ask Bernies kids.
What a foolish thing to say! He wasn’t born a millionaire! He worked very hard from a young age to get what he had. Everyone has the same opportunity or did have. Now that government and the left have their hand in everyone’s pocket you would be hard pressed to live that dream today. He did more for the city and kids of Burlington then any damn welfare program! He taught pride unlike the government that takes it away. I disagreed with him on many issues but never on what he did in terms of giving back.
So to the moron who made the comment about angels wings, check our mail box see if you got your handout and sit your useless butt on the sofa and try to see if the government can issue you some common sense.
I really feel sorry for you with such an outlook on life.