Harold John Pontiff

Harold (Harry) J Pontiff

Age 80 of Minneapolis, MN, passed away on May 12th, 2026 from multiple complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

Harry was born on June 27th 1945 in Morgan City, LA, to Harold Pontiff, Sr and Shirley (Pennison) Pontiff, later known as Shirley Olsen. He was the oldest of five children. He grew up in a military family which meant he moved frequently throughout his childhood, he spent his early years in Hawaii and Mexico City. Despite not living in Louisiana he was always proud to claim his Cajun background. He cited frequently moving as enabling him to make friends and adjust to changes with ease, but one constant in his childhood was the accordion and music lessons that his parents provided which started his lifelong passion for performing music.

He started his collegiate years attending St Thomas Seminary in Hartford,CN and earned a AA Liberal Arts degree, he then received a BA Philosophy degree from St Bernard's Seminary in Rochester NY. He left the Seminary and the Catholic Church for a less dogmatic life but maintained a studious interest in the history and inner workings of the church and its impact on current events. After leaving Seminary he got a job teaching history, math and science to 6th and 7th graders. This was a tumultuous time in the country with local politics, church politics and the Vietnam War which impacted Harry deeply. He did a great deal of study and soul searching to determine that he was committed to earning his conscientious objector status and was successful. In his own words this period of time left him “kind of disillusioned and wanting some answers” so he decided to return to school and get a MA in Sociology from the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY.

He continued to pursue sociology by getting his PhD at the University of MN which ultimately set him on a career path in Information Technology services in higher education institutions. Over the course of his career he served the Continuing Education and Extension Program at the U of M, the State Higher Education Coordinating Board, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MCSCU), Hamline University and Macalester College.

He had a lifelong passion for music, specifically jazz. As an adult, this led him to put down the accordion in favor of his preferred instrument, the bass. One of his greatest joys was playing music with and for others. He frequently expressed awe and gratitude that he was able to play with, what he deemed, some of the most talented musicians in Minnesota.

He was an avid reader and constantly pursued many diverse subjects, always viewing through a lens of social justice. He was politically active throughout his life and cared deeply about equality and justice. These interests helped nourish and maintain friendships with likeminded communities over decades.

In addition to his accomplishments in education, career, music and friendships, he was also an exceptional husband, father and grandfather. Once settled in the twin cities he met his wife Connie Diercks, who he married in 1982 and they raised two children, Morgan Pontiff and Kira Pontiff. His family was always his top priority.

His friends and family remember him as a humorous, kind, gentle friend whose smile warmed everyone he met.

Brain Donor Project

First Universalist is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Time: Jun 27, 2026 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87058473754?pwd=y4UskpaSQH0E0nV2YeE9mQUcozO8Uj.1

Meeting chat link https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87058473754

View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=99547fa9-631a-4db7-833b-bdeceffd8c1a

Meeting ID: 870 5847 3754                Passcode: 227256