SCARBOROUGH – Charles Pooler, a longtime ice cream truck driver for HP Hood who had a passion for hunting, fishing and family, died on Monday. He was 84.

Mr. Pooler, known by most people as “Frank,” delivered Hood ice cream to mom and pop markets and grocery store chains across the state for 35 years.

His daughter, Crystal Merry of North Waterboro, said he loved interacting with people on his route. He delivered mostly to stores in northwestern Maine.

She remembered when her father would come home from work with ice cream and other Hood desserts. Merry said he loved ice cream, but it had to be Hood.

“We never went without ice cream,” his daughter said. “I remember him backing up his truck and getting out thinking what are we going to get today.”

Hoodsie Cups will be served at a reception after his memorial service on Saturday.

Mr. Pooler grew up in Scarborough, the second oldest of nine children. He graduated from Scarborough High School in 1946.

He was a loving husband to Gertrude Pooler, his wife for 62 years. The couple raised four children. His oldest daughter, Gail Key, died of cancer in November 2003.

Mr. Pooler was remembered by his family as a strong, kind and dedicated family man.

“He was the best daddy ever,” Merry said. “He was the one I turned to. He was my rock. If we had any questions or needed any help, he was there to talk to. He has been there for all of us.”

His son, Glen Pooler of Scarborough, spoke of his father’s passion for the outdoors.

Mr. Pooler enjoyed hunting, clamming, fly fishing, canoeing and hiking. He climbed Old Speck Mountain at Grafton Notch eight times. He won an Appalachian Trail trip, which he hiked with his brother, George Pooler.

In 1989, Mr. Pooler bought a hunting camp in Upton. He spent many weekends there with his wife and family. In November, he enjoyed hunting with his sons.

“He taught us an awful lot,” his son said. “My father was a very good steward of the land. He taught us great respect for that.

“All three of us feel very blessed. We’re the luckiest kids around to have had a father like him.”

Mr. Pooler was a lifelong member of the Scarborough Free Baptist Church. He served on several committees and sang in the choir and in a quartet.

He was active in the church until a few years ago, when his health began to decline.

His wife reflected Tuesday on their 62 years together and the impact he had on others.

“I wonder where the time went,” his wife said. “He was a loving husband and father. He helped a lot of people in his lifetime. I’ll miss his thoughtfulness. I’ll miss his presence.”

 

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com

 

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