Customers still walk into the shop and look over the counter at the picture of Charles W. Pool. Every now and then someone will slip a slight grin and say, " Mr. Pool installed my windows many years ago." He is remembered fondly because he was a good man.

Anyone who starts a business is brave to some degree. It is both a risk and a challenge. It requires hard work, determination, and sacrifice. To Mr. Pool, it simply seemed logical. He knew he had the spirit, he knew he had the know-how, and he knew that it made perfect sense to start his own business.

He grew up in Brookneal, VA. He was one of sixteen children. His wife, Alice Pool, is one of 13 children. Needless to say, it is quite common to see relatives of the Pool's everywhere. Who knows, you might be one yourself. He spent four years in the Navy, worked in the shipyard, and then began working in the window & door business.

Pool's Window & Door was founded in 1960 as Pool's Aluminum Window and Door Service. The name has changed slightly, but the foundation has always remained strong. Mr. Pool believed in honest business. He treated customers fair, and demanded quality in every product and service sold.

Mr. Pool and his wife had five children; Charlie, Wiley, Faye, Gloria, and David. Charlie (Charles W. Pool, Jr.) served as a Marine in the Vietnam War. In 1969, the family was notified of his unfortunate death.

Wiley Pool has worked in the business for as long as anyone can remember. He is a stranger to none. If you come by the shop, he will not hesitate to shake your hand and have a conversation. He is one of the few people in the world that can talk about anything and everything.

Faye Collins works as a teacher in Mullins, South Carolina. She has three children and one grandchild. She spent her time in the business in her younger days, but then some sweet talkin' South Carolinian swept her off her feet. She comes up to Newport News quite often to see her family and especially her grandson.

Although she keeps herself mobile, you can usually find Gloria Singhaseni hard at work in the office. She is a conversation initiator and a Stargate fanatic. Her specialty is accounting; however, she still claims she can make a screen better and faster than anyone at the shop. She is the mother of three and the grandmother of four.

The youngest child is David Pool. He is a master of one liners and can name any tune in three notes. He can solve a Rubicks Cube and can quote every line from Biloxi Blues. It is rare to find him anywhere other than work. He is the father of two children.

Most of Mr. Pool's granchildren have worked at the shop. Charles Singhaseni, Zachary Pool, and Jeremy Singhaseni are currently employed, and it must be stated that the third generation is pretty darn good at just about everything.

Mr. Pool past away in 1975. His family stepped up and continued the business. If he were alive today, he would probably be happy to see so many of his family and friends at the shop. Most employees at Pool's have been employed for over 10 years. As each year passes, the company continues to grow and the roots dig even deeper.