Glenn Poliak

After 28 years living with progressive multiple sclerosis, Glenn Poliak passed quietly away at home May 18, 2026. He was 55 years old

Glenn’s life stands as a testament to his indomitable human spirit and the power of family. Glenn was born in California in 1970, but his family moved to Brazil when he was three. He spent his formative years steeped in the cultural dynamism of São Paulo along with his family’s strong connections to New York and San Francisco. This experience fostered an affable and broadly cosmopolitan perspective that enabled him to interact easily with folks from all walks of life. His easy going nature and open mind served him well throughout his life.

After the tragic death of his father in 1984, He and his mother, Kay Poliak, moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where Glenn finished high school. It was there where Glenn formed some of his most steadfast and profound friendships that endured to the end.

Upon Graduation from High School, Glenn moved to Great Barrington to be close to his sister, Georgene Poliak. In his own inimitable way, Glenn embraced the community which in turn welcomed him to make this place his home. Glenn was a devoted member of the “Deli Irregulars” always ready to play volleyball, go bowling, or contribute to any of Frankie T’s offbeat events.

His love of a good challenge and working with his hands combined with his love of nature quickly evolved into a lifestyle defined by the seasons: landscaping Spring through Fall, snowmaking in the Winter. Glenn was a member of the Living Arts landscaping crew with his brother-in-law, David Long. He developed a strong reputation for his skilled labor which provided him with a freedom to choose interesting projects and work with a diverse range of people.

During the Winters, Glenn became a passionate snowmaker at Butternut Basin. Glenn approached the challenges posed by weather, resources, and extreme conditions with a missionary zeal that elevated the occupation to an artform. He would later go on to make snow at Lee Canyon, Nevada and Lake Tahoe.

In the 1990s, Glenn moved to Las Vegas to be closer to his mother and enroll at UNLV. It was at this time that he was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. While the early symptoms seemed to be little more than a series of annoyances, the long term-prognosis was devastating. It increasingly became clear that the family would need to rally around a plan for the long haul. Kay bought a house in Housatonic and built an accessible apartment to provide Glenn with the best possible quality of life throughout the progression of the disease. With the family together in one geographic center, it was possible to maintain the rhythms of normal life. Glenn’s affable nature and irrepressible sense of humor endured and adapted to the everchanging realities of MS.

Countless acts of love and determination by his family, friends and amazing caregivers enabled Glenn to live at home far beyond what could be expected with a rare, high quality of life. To all of them, the family will be forever grateful. The heroic acts of motherly love by Kay provided the foundation that made it possible for his extraordinary community of care to flourish. For the last decade of his life, Glenn was blessed to have Sandy Lewis, his much beloved companion and caregiver, who gave him unwavering love and expert care. She proved to be a transcendent Angel of Mercy until the very end.

Glenn is survived by his mother, Kay Poliak; sister, Georgene Poliak and her husband David Long; his nieces Ella Grace Long and Sarah Simone Long; and his loving companion Sandy Lewis. He was predeceased by his father, Eric Poliak.

SERVICES - The family will receive friends On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 9:30AM to 11:00AM at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA., with a funeral service to follow.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026 at noon, at Saint Bridget’s Cemetery, off of Front Street, Housatonic, MA. A repast for the community will be held at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Glenn may be made directly to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation of America https://mymsaa.org or The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis https://www.acceleratedcure.org