Hilary John Pollock, 91, of Natick, Massachusetts, passed away on September 21, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Hilary was born on June 3, 1935, in Fall River, to John Bernard and Blanche Violette Pollock. He was baptized at St. Anne’s Church in Fall River. From an early age, Hilary developed the qualities that would define his life: a deep Catholic faith, a love of family, an enthusiasm for sports, and, above all, an enduring curiosity about the world and the people in it.

As a young man, Hilary was a Boy Scout, altar boy, choir member and an avid athlete. He played baseball and hockey. He attended St. Patrick’s School and Our Lady’s High School before going on to Boston College, where he studied the Classics. His love of Latin and Ancient Greek led him to pursue a master’s degree in education at Boston State College.

Hilary found his calling in teaching. He spent more than four decades teaching, early in his career at Catholic Memorial and Malden Catholic, and 32 years at Boston Latin School, where he taught Latin and Ancient Greek and coached both baseball and hockey, retiring in 2000.

For Hilary, teaching was never simply about a subject or a lesson. He wanted to get to the root of things. He loved words, their origins, their meanings, and the history behind them. He encouraged his students to ask questions and to look beyond the obvious. He sought out lecturers from different disciplines to introduce his students to new ideas, reflecting his own lifelong belief that there was always something more to learn.

That curiosity stayed with Hilary throughout his life. He loved civics, history, classical studies, local politics, current events, and a good argument or oration. He enjoyed following the affairs of his community. He served as a Town Meeting member and was involved with the South Natick Historical Society, including serving as its president. He also volunteered at local shelters and food pantries. And he taught CCD at Sacred Heart Church in South Natick. 

Faith was at the center of Hilary’s life and part of how he understood family, community, service, and the meaning of life. His faith was woven into the life he built with his wife, Katherine, and their children.

In 1960, Hilary married Katherine O’Shea, whom he had met the year before at an Irish social dance in Roxbury. They were married at St. Brigid’s Church in South Boston and shared 66 years together. Their marriage was the center of a family that grew to include seven children: Jeremiah (Lisa), Camilla, Cecilia (John) Stefanini, Timothy, Patricia, Patrick, and Maureen; three grandchildren: Robert Thibodeau, Dr. Kristina Stefanini, and Julia Stefanini; and his brother-in-law, George Burke, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his beloved sister, Maria.

Family was always at the heart of Hilary’s life. He enjoyed cooking homemade meals, building picnic tables for family and friends, and traveling to countless sporting events, games, and plays to support his children and grandchildren. He was a familiar and enthusiastic presence in the stands and in the audience. He never lost his interest in the lives of those around him and took great pride in the people his family became.

Hilary and Katherine enjoyed their time together in simple, memorable ways: visiting Castle Island in South Boston, spending time at Nantasket Beach, and reading the newspaper together near the former South Natick dam. Hilary seemed to know every back road in the area and could always find another route, another place to explore, or another person to visit.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Hilary’s life by gathering for a time of visitation in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick on Sunday, September 27 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Natick on Monday, September 28 at 10:00 AM. The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Hilary’s family suggests a donation in his memory to one he faithfully supported: Catholic TV, Post Office Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02471.