Kurt A. Pollard | Sales representative, 45

Kurt Allan Pollard, 45, of West Chester, a sales representative and youth soccer coach who overcame a disability, died of a brain aneurysm Tuesday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Pollard grew up in Devon. His late father, Al Pollard, was a former Eagles fullback and Eagles radio and television commentator.

Mr. Pollard played in a youth hockey league and played football and ice hockey at Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor. When he was 15, he was hit by a stick during a divisional hockey playoff game between Carroll and West Chester High School. The accident caused paralysis to his left side. After recuperating at McGee Rehabilitation Hospital, he became a shot putter on the Carroll track team.

He walked with a limp and had no strength in his left arm but, his brother John said, "he could lift a mountain with his right arm." He returned to McGee as a volunteer to encourage patients, his brother said, and gave motivational talks and counseled the disabled.

Mr. Pollard earned a bachelor's degree from Cabrini College. For more than 20 years, he was a sales representative for the commercial printing industry.

He was a coach with the Greater Chester Valley Soccer Association and United Sports in Downingtown.

He was an Eagles fan and enjoyed fishing and spending time at the beach with his family in Avalon, N.J.

In addition to his brother, Mr. Pollard is survived by his wife of 15 years, Donna Reese Pollard; a daughter, Shannon; a son, Kurt Jr.; his mother, Patricia Pollard; and a sister.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. today at SS. Philip and James Church, 723 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton. Friends may call from 9:15 a.m. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.