[B]URLINGTON — Real estate tycoon and philanthropist Antonio Pomerleau has died.
The patriarch of the Pomerleau family passed away at the age of 100 late Thursday at home, his son, Ernie, announced Friday morning. The elder Pomerleau had been in recent poor health.
The jovial, sharp-eyed developer, known as Tony, built one of the largest personal fortunes in Vermont history, which he pegged at more than $100 million. He also gave away millions in philanthropic efforts, which also included an annual Christmas party that provided a free meal and presents for low-income Vermonters. Pomerleau recently provided funding for that holiday gathering through 2030.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, his family said Pomerleau “considered it a measure of professional progress that in each of his working years, which included this year, he made more money than the previous year. To Pomerleau, even more satisfying than achieving business success was the opportunity to give back to the community. ‘I’ve been very fortunate making money, and so I pass it on,’ he would say.”
Pomerleau’s name also adorns a number of buildings, including the Burlington Police Department headquarters, the Burlington Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. Pomerleau was a longtime member of the Burlington Police Commission. He was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2012, the Burlington Free Press Vermonter of the Year in 2006, and honorary degrees from Saint Michael’s College. Gov. Jim Douglas declared Sept. 28, 2007, Pomerleau’s 90th birthday, as Tony Pomerleau Day.
“Our dad often said that everything has an expiration date except him,” Ernie Pomerleau said. “He was so right because I know that together, our family and the Vermont community will carry forward his spirit and legacy. While every one of us may not accomplish as much and reach as many lives as he has, in this next century we can each be loving family members, caring neighbors and generous souls to shine in his example.”
Pomerleau’s rags-to-riches success came from being an early developer of shopping malls. He and his son Ernie ruled over his real estate empire from an impressive, columned white building in Burlington that overlooked Lake Champlain a few blocks back from the waterfront. He made daily appearances at the office until only recently.
Pomerleau was born in Marbleton, Quebec, and moved to Barton, Vermont, when he was six months old. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Newport.
When he was 3 years old, Pomerleau sufffered a tragic injury when he fell into a cellar hole and had to be confined with a brace for the next six years. In an interview in 2010, Pomerleau pointed to that accident as giving him determination, which he said contributed to his later success.
“The doctor said I might live to 10 years old,” Pomerleau told the Burlington Free Press last year. “They’re all dead and I’m still alive. Whether you believe in miracles or not, I had one.”
Pomerleau is survived by his wife, Rita, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. In their 71-year marriage, they had 10 children, two sons and eight daughters. Two of those daughters predeceased their father. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and and two great-grandchildren.
Pomerleau’s niece, Marcelle, is married to U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, who called him “Uncle Tony.”
Leahy said Friday morning that he and Marcelle have been sharing memories about Pomerleau over the past few days.
“We think of his enormous philanthropy in Vermont, his caring about Vermont and people throughout Vermont society. 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,” the senior senator said.
“Perhaps so much is summed up in the memories Marcelle and I have of being at the baptism of his great-grandchild last year at the time of Tony’s birthday. A hundred years separated the two of them, but the love in Tony’s face was the same love we have seen for decades,” he added.
Pomerleau, a Republican, had a close relationship with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., his political polar opposite, stretching back to Sanders’ tenure as mayor of Burlington in the 1980s.
“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. Jane and I send our condolences to the Pomerleau family,” Sanders said Friday.
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said it was hard to believe Pomerleau is gone.
“He was an indefatigable legend who improved the lives of countless Vermonters through his business and charity work. His ‘can do’ attitude was infectious. His legacy of generosity and entrepreneurialism will live on but his presence in Vermont’s communities will be sorely missed,” Welch said.
Gov. Phil Scott said it was Vermont’s good fortune to have had Pomerleau.
“He gave so much to others and was a leader in his community and beyond,” Scott said in a statement. “You don’t have to look any farther than the attendance and appreciation expressed at his 100th birthday party, which we celebrated last fall, to see how much he meant to Vermont. That’s because he was always willing to help his neighbors, he had incredible work ethic, and he treated others with respect.
“He was the quintessential Vermonter and embodied our Vermont values. He set a positive example for all of us at a time when we desperately need positive role models, and his generosity has impacted the lives of so many. For all this – and so much more – he will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on for generations,” the governor said.
Mayor Miro Weinberger offered his condolences to the Pomerleau family and noted Pomerleau’s many contributions to Burlington.
“Tony had an enormous impact on Burlington, both as a business person who pursued substantial ventures and made major investments here, and as a philanthropist whose remarkable generosity benefited our Burlington Police Department, as well as local organizations and institutions too numerous to name. I always admired Tony’s love of family, and enjoyed hearing about Rita and their children. And Tony created an even bigger family through pursuing one of his greatest passions – providing opportunities to Burlington’s children. Thanks to Tony, generations of Burlingtonians will grow up with greater access to after school and recreational activities. I am honored to have worked with Tony many times over the years as Mayor, and I will miss him very much.”
Funeral plans will be announced on Saturday.
