May 14, 2016

One of our dearest friends, Matt, became absent from his body to be present with our Lord on April 19, 2016.  He made his 88 years on earth COUNT. He loved, worked hard, and played to with all he had.  With his heart, soul, mind and strength he served and loved God and loved his students and all people.  He stood and spoke up for what was right and true and honorable.  We are honored to have called him our beloved friend for over 50 years. He left a great legacy behind with many outstanding students and friends who looked up to him.  
 
May God Bless you all at this time.
With our deepest condolences,
Bob and Carole Lee McGaughey Waslick

May 10, 2016

Dear Family,
“Uncle Matt”, as I have always known him was an intelligent, kind, friendly man, whom I enjoyed conversing with during your family get-togethers. He was always interested in what you had to say. He loved a good time  and my parents fondly reflected on how they enjoyed visiting with him as well. Dad remarked about how he and Gene always took Gin, Nelson, mom & him to & from the Philly airport when they were going on a trip. Most recently they were touched that he cared enough to stop and see mom at St.Ann’s Home. Dad was hoping to get down to see him at his home in Lampeter. 
Our prayers go out to all his family & friends. He will be missed! Fondly, Brenda & Ted, & Betty & John 

May 04, 2016

 
Mr. Polignone was very generous with his time. As a struggling Penncrest student of his back in 1979, I needed plenty of extra help to get through his class. When it came time to write my college essay, I again asked for his help. After ripping up my first draft—and yelling at me for its especially poor quality—he told me to start over. Then, he told me to come by after school every day until we reworked it into something acceptable. I don’t think I would have gotten into Penn without his help. 
 
When I think back to it, I’m moved by how much I disliked all my English classes, yet how much more influential my English teachers were in my development and my life’s direction. As a person who followed a math and science career, you’d think my math and science teachers would have made a bigger impact on me; but instead, I mostly read and learned those subjects from the associated text books and labs. In contrast, I learned more English and history directly from my English and history teachers during class.
 
Maybe there’s some point to all that humanities stuff after all. Who knew? What I can say, is that my appreciation for the humanities would be significantly less had I not been given the opportunity to study them with Mr. Polignone.
 
Thanks one more time for all you help, Mr. Polignone. You will be missed.
 
John Hagan, Penncrest Class of 1980.

May 03, 2016

Penncrest in the 1970s was fortunate to have a number of wonderful English teachers, Mr. Polignone among them.  He opened up, for me and many others, the endless richness and vitality of Western art, philosophy and civilization; and he did so with wit and warmth.  It was thanks to him that I knew (and still care about) the difference between a Roman and a Gothic arch, and why that difference matters.  Whenever I encounter someone who can tell a Corinthian from a Doric from an Ionic column, I wonder if that person (or, more likely these days, one of his or her parents) was a student of Mr. Polignone.  A fine, erudite and loving spirit has gone from the world, and I will miss him.  My deepest condolences to his family and friends. 
Hallie White Speight, Penncrest 1980

May 01, 2016

Mr. Polignone was my English teacher in 1976 at Penncrest. I still remember his unique assignments that made us think and helped us to be creative. My condolences to family and friends.  David Black

May 01, 2016

My condolences to the family and friends.  Greatly appreciate Mr. Polignone as a teacher that brought things alive, and one who really cured my fears of writing.
Ed McCorkle; PHS 1969

May 01, 2016

Mr. Polignone was a wonderful teacher and a great friend to students in our Rose Tree Media School District.  He gave his all to help students succeed and will always be remembered for his positive spirit that inspired so many of us.  On behalf of the Penncrest Media Alumni Association our condolences to his sister Josephine.
Phil Damiani, President PMAA