Pollin was SFC approved for putting up his own money to build up a rundown part of Washington, D.C. with the construction of the MCI Center (currently the Verizon Center). 

We mourn his loss.

More details on his life here.

Some quotes from those who cared about the man:

“He didn’t particularly come from wealth, but he certainly made money in his lifetime.  The term ‘saint’ should be reluctantly applied to people, and I don’t use it often, but if there is such a thing as a saint, I would say Mr. Abe certainly should be considered…He had a saying, and lived by this saying, he never wanted to be the richest man in the graveyard.  And, Mr. Pollin, you were a very wealthy man.  I doubt you’ll be the richest man in the graveyard, but you will have given more riches than anybody in the graveyard…He was a remarkably generous man.”

 -           James Carville praises the late Abe Pollin for his generosity.

“Abe Pollin loved us.  He was my father away from home.  He was the one who believed in my, who took a chance on me when I was 19, 20 [years old].  I couldn’t do any wrong in his eyes.”

 -           Washington Wizards star guard Gilbert Arenas on Abe Pollin.

“He put a lot of trust into me from day one.  Nobody has given me that trust ever really as far as just doing my job and just me being who I am [as a person].”

 -           Washington Wizards All Star forward Antawn Jamison on Abe Pollin.