MAJ (Ret.) Andrew E. Pehonsky, 65, of Bolivar Drive Bradford, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Bradford Regional Medical Center after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was holding the hand of his loving wife and surrounded by his siblings, several nieces and nephews, and his closest friends Mark and Brenda Graham and Bruce and Christina Franco, who were all like family to him.
Born October 18, 1952 in Bradford, he was a son of the late Michael Paul and Patricia Ann (Luke) Pehonsky, Sr.
Andy was a 1970 graduate of Bradford Area High School. He enlisted in the United States Army on December 2, 1970. Because of a strong desire to attend the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, he was required to attend the USMA Preparatory School at Fort Belvoir, VA from which he graduated in 1973. He then went on to attend and graduate from the USMA at West Point in 1977 and was commissioned 2 LT in the Army.
A career soldier, his honors received include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3RD Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal (2ndAward), Southwest Asia Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, United Nations Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Qualified Expert Marksman Badge. Major Pehonsky was honorably discharged on June 30, 1995.
After retirement at Fort Gordon, GA, he returned to Bradford and worked another 16 years at Zippo Manufacturing Company as a purchaser.
On June 3, 1978, in St. Bernard Church, he married Maryanne (Visbisky) Pehonsky who survives.
Andy was a lifetime member of the VFW. He enjoyed camping, hunting, and at one time was a passionate golfer often playing with his father, brother and other relatives.
Surviving in addition to his wife Maryanne of 40 years, are three daughters, Jill (Nicholas Okoneski) Pehonsky, of Huntington Beach, CA, Abbey Blackston, of North Augusta, SC, and Andrea (Victor) Pehonsky-George, of Huntington Beach, CA; five sisters, Dianne Barr, of Zephyrhills, FL, Rosanne Strotman, of Bradford, Christine Pehonsky, of Bradford, Patricia (COL (Ret) Michael) Gould, of Carlisle, PA, and Barbara (Jeff) Shurilla, of Great Valley, NY; two brothers, Michael (Ruth) P. Pehonsky Jr., of Bellair, FL, and Paul (Beth) Pehonsky, of Bradford; eight grandchildren, Zakry Bukosky, Mary-Delaney Bukosky, Ian Whaling, Joel Whaling, Evan Blackston, Emily Blackston, Victor George III, and Sophia George; and several nieces and nephews.
At the family's request there will be no visitation, Friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at a later date and time to be announced. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to SPCA, P. O. Box 113, Bradford, PA, 16701, or the Empire Animal Rescue Society, P. O. Box 445, Salamanca NY, 14779.
Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com