In Memoriam

Former Cub and Yankee, Poff, remembered

Former Cubs and Yankees player Mike Poff died Dec. 15, 2020, succumbing to complications from cancer at the age of 35 in Houston, Texas.

Poff was drafted by the Cubs in 2017 and later played for the Yankees. He was a U.S. Marine, and he left the ECABL when he was stationed elsewhere.

His funeral service was held in December at the Houston National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and four children, Jessica, Lexie, Mia and Jolei.

The ECABL sends it condolences to Poff's family and friends. He will be remembered on the ball field.

Former Cubs player remembered

Former ECABL Cubs player Nick Cannon died April 26, at the age of 31, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

John Nicholas Cannon played a few games with the Cubs during the 2020 season, but he was not able to complete the season.

The ECABL sends its condolences to Cannon's family and friends. He will be remembered on the ball field.

Soares, former ECABL commissioner, succumbs to five-year battle with brain cancer

Michael Soares, former commissioner and a founding member of the East Carolina Amateur Baseball League, prepares to deliver the first pitch for the 2019 summer season. Soares passed away Wednesday after a five-year battle with brain cancer.

Donations

Interment will be private, but donations can be made in the form of a check made out to:

East Carolina Amateur Baseball League

3502 Cranberry Lane

New Bern, NC 28562

Condolences

To send condolences to the family, click here.

As published by Pollock-Best Funerals and Cremations

Michael Lodington Soares died on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, aged 67, after a five-year battle with GBM brain cancer. He served with distinction as a senior officer in the US Navy. A 30-year employee of ExxonMobil, Michael retired as Western Regional Operations Manager in 2007. Following retirement, he served as a consultant to the Energy industry and became an accomplished restorer of yachts and classic British automobiles.

In 1984, he married Lucille M. Soares (Imperato), a teacher, painter and photographer. Their son, Theodore Lodington Soares, is an advertising director in Los Angeles, CA and is married to Emily Anne Soares (Uthlaut); they have a 1-year-old daughter, Penelope Lodington Soares (Poppy). Their daughter, Jessica Ann Weaver, is a Controller for a general contractor in her hometown of Middletown, RI and has a 6-year-old son, Max Weaver Lombardo.

He was especially close to the Virginia Military Institute, from which he graduated in 1975 on an Army ROTC Scholarship. He served on the Alumni Board for nearly a decade and nurtured many friendships with his Brother Rats over the years.

After leaving VMI, he was commissioned into the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and commanded a tank platoon in what was then West Germany. At great effort and with Congressional support, however, he achieved a rare interservice transfer to the US Navy. As the son of a WWII Naval Officer, his heart was with the Navy. He served with distinction for 25 years, including two command tours, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

In the 1990s, Captain Soares was an adjunct instructor in Labor and Industrial Relations at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. He also served as Senior Warden at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, also in Newport, RI. In 2013, he moved to New Bern, NC and in 2016, founded and served as Commissioner of the East Carolina Amateur Baseball League. He was also a member of the New Bern Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).

Captain Soares’ formidable accomplishments pale beside his stunningly quick wit and comedic sensibilities. He was especially adept at laser-like and hugely inappropriate comments that would set the table on a roar. Thus, he leaves many dear friends and relatives, from coast to coast, who will miss him greatly.

Interment will be private, but donations may be sent to the East Carolina Amateur Baseball League. Online condolences may be made at www.pollockbest.com.

Pollock~Best Funerals & Cremations is honored to assist the Soares Family.