Danny Ray Poling

Danny Ray Poling, 66, of Pasadena, MD, passed away at his home on Saturday, June, 25, 2022 with his wife by his side. He was born February 1, 1956 in Elkins, WV and was the eldest son of the late Kenneth Earl Poling and Norma Mae (Sturdivant) Poling. At a young age his family relocated from West Virginia to Arnold, Maryland where he was raised. His father worked as a civilian employee at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and his mother was a homemaker. Danny told stories often of his childhood and the old farmhouse where he grew up. He remembered his mother heating water on the stove for baths and it was so drafty inside that the curtains would move on a windy day. He had not so fond memories of mowing the two plus acres with a 19” push mower and helping till the very large vegetable garden with just a shovel. In the winter he would help his father chop and sell firewood. In the summer they sold tomatoes. Danny mowed lawns and his father worked on people’s cars to help make ends meet. Hard work had been instilled in Danny by his father. He attended Severna Park High School and was a member of the Class of 1973. He had always wanted to be an architect but life took him down a different path. At age 14 he had been introduced to bricklaying by a neighbor. After his father’s passing when he was 16, he got a job in the masonry field to help support his family. He chose to be a mason, an ancient, noble profession and he knew what he was getting himself into; really hard work. His professional masonry career spanned nearly five decades. At the age of 28, with a wife and 3 young children, Danny became the President and Owner of Poling & Sons Construction Company, Inc., the business that he would own and operate for many years. He was a member of the Home Builders Association of Maryland and the National Association of Home Builders. He was involved in the construction of thousands of residential and commercial properties over the years and did extensive work for Consolidated Homes in Columbia, MD. His masonry peers considered him an expert in the construction of fireplaces and chimneys and he was consulted often regarding that process. Danny was one of the hardest working men you would ever meet. His first paycheck came at 15, his first apartment at 17. He worked multiple jobs if necessary to pay the bills and put food on the table. His work ethic was impeccable and he was never afraid to get dusty and dirty. He was unwavering regarding his responsibilities and was not likely to be late for anything, ever! It is said that hard work spotlights the character in a man; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses and some just don’t show up - Danny Poling always showed up. Danny was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He loved his family and passed on some of the characteristics that had defined him in life. He was elated that he lived to be old enough to be around when his grandchildren were born and to be able to watch them grow; something that his own father never really had the chance to do. He had a great personality and was happiest spending quiet time at home with his wife, family, friends and neighbors. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh. He had a knack for running into someone that he knew, almost everywhere he went. He would strike up a conversation with almost anyone that would listen. His hobbies included buying and restoring classic cars, remodeling his home, antiquing, traveling and growing some of the biggest tomato plants that you’ve ever seen. He really enjoyed sharing his tomato harvest every summer with his friends and neighbors, for him it brought back childhood memories. Danny was never able to complete his bucket list but in the end he was content with all that he had accomplished in his life. His profession had taken its toll on his body and his lower back paid the ultimate price. It was during testing regarding treatment options for his back that his lung cancer was diagnosed in early 2019. He fought a valiant fight for more than three years and said that he would never lose the battle with cancer because it was going to die with him and that would make it a tie. In the end they said he didn’t suffer, he’s finally at rest and he’s finally at peace. Danny had told his wife, “When my time comes - remember I don’t want a funeral, no funeral homes and no viewings, it’s just a waste of money. Promise me that you won’t let anyone see me after I’m gone. I just want to be cremated and then you can put me up on the mantel. You don’t even need to put an obituary in the newspaper, no big announcements, nobody needs to know, just tell people something simple like Danny is gone. Not he kicked the bucket, not he’s in a better place and not he’s missing, just simply he’s gone”. He hoped that anyone that remembered him could do so with a smile, because if a thought of him could make you smile, then he had succeeded and he would live on. For those that didn’t know him or remember him, he hoped that they might smile too. Danny’s family and friends loved him dearly, are better for having had him in their lives and will miss him greatly. His father would have been so proud of the man he became. In addition to his parents, Danny was predeceased by his baby sister, Katrina Marie Bodkin (David). Danny is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 27 years, Patricia Poling, son, Nicholas Poling (Nicole) of Pasadena, MD, son, Kevin Poling (Courtney) of Glen Burnie, MD, daughter, Lindsay Grimes of Pasadena, MD, step-daughter, Jennifer Lowry (Mark) of Greenville, SC, step-son, Michael Llewellyn of Pasadena, MD and seven grandchildren; Sagin, Mackenzi, Chloe, Aiden, Jackson, Sawyer and Knox. He is also survived by his older sister, Peggy Jo Perrigoy (Dwayne) of Glen Burnie, MD, younger brother, Jeffrey Lynn Poling (Ruth) of Coalton, WV, numerous nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and long-time friends and his former wife, the mother of his children, Robin Reinke. In addition to those previously listed, Danny is also survived by his beautiful Golden Retriever, Macswell Murphy McCrae, the “best dog I ever had”. Their friendship spanned more than 10 years and “Macs” mourns his loss with all of us. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Danny Ray Poling

February 1, 1956 - June 25, 2022