Andrew J (Pooch) Puchany age 91 of Canonsburg, died Friday May 11, 2012 in Allegheny Valley Hospital following a brief illness. He was born May 15, 1920 in Canonsburg a son of Antonio and Fannie Whiteman Puchany.
Mr. Puchany graduated from Canonsburg High School class of 1939 where he was the first four time WPIAL Wrestling Campion and two time State Champion He was a graduate of Indiana University of Bloomington Indiana in 1949 where he was a Collegiate Big Ten Champion. He earned his Masters of Education degree at the University of Pittsburgh. His medals and a story of his wrestling career are on display at the Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh. During World War II he served as a 1st sergeant with the United States Army in the European Theatre Normandy and served at the Battle of the Bulge for which he received the Bronze Star. He lived his entire life in Canonsburg where he was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
Prior to his retirement in 1981, Mr. Puchany had been a Physical Education teacher and school administrator in the Canonsburg and Canon-McMillan school district where he had been head wrestling coach from 1957 until 1970.During this time he coached 43 section champions, 22 WPIAL champions and 3 state champions, his record was 152 wins and 40 losses and he was chosen as Coach of the Year five times. He was admitted to both the Washington County and Pennsylvania Wrestling Halls of Fame. He was a member of the VFW Post 191 where he had served as past commander and trustee and the American Legion Post 253, both of Canonsburg and the Muse Independent Club.
On June 17, 1950 he married Julia Valery who died May 10, 2011 after 61 years of marriage. He is survived by two sons; Andrew A. Puchany of Muse and Anthony A (Sharon) Puchany of Tioga North Dakota, a daughter Valerie A. (Lyle) Haney of Apollo, with whom he made his home, five grandchildren; Albert R. Puchany, Angela and Shaily Jeffers, Andriana and Alexander Puchany, a step grandson Chris Krieger, a sister, Natalie Kakais of Canonsburg, a brother Fred (Ted) W. Puchany of Canonsburg and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are his brother James Puchany and two sisters Angeline Milligan and Sarah Thomas and a nephew Anthony Milligan.
Friends are welcome from 6-8pm Wednesday May 16, 2012 and from 2-4 and 6-8pm Thursday in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc. Joseph P. Salandra owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where a blessing service will be held at 11 am Friday May 18, 2012. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am Friday in St. Patrick Church Canonsburg. Interment will follow at 1 pm in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township with full military honors by the VFW Post 191 and the American Legion Post 902 Honor Guard. Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. Puchany's name to the Disabled American Veterans 1000 Liberty Avenue #1606 Pittsburgh PA, 15222.
Mr. Puchany graduated from Canonsburg High School class of 1939 where he was the first four time WPIAL Wrestling Campion and two time State Champion He was a graduate of Indiana University of Bloomington Indiana in 1949 where he was a Collegiate Big Ten Champion. He earned his Masters of Education degree at the University of Pittsburgh. His medals and a story of his wrestling career are on display at the Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh. During World War II he served as a 1st sergeant with the United States Army in the European Theatre Normandy and served at the Battle of the Bulge for which he received the Bronze Star. He lived his entire life in Canonsburg where he was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
Prior to his retirement in 1981, Mr. Puchany had been a Physical Education teacher and school administrator in the Canonsburg and Canon-McMillan school district where he had been head wrestling coach from 1957 until 1970.During this time he coached 43 section champions, 22 WPIAL champions and 3 state champions, his record was 152 wins and 40 losses and he was chosen as Coach of the Year five times. He was admitted to both the Washington County and Pennsylvania Wrestling Halls of Fame. He was a member of the VFW Post 191 where he had served as past commander and trustee and the American Legion Post 253, both of Canonsburg and the Muse Independent Club.
On June 17, 1950 he married Julia Valery who died May 10, 2011 after 61 years of marriage. He is survived by two sons; Andrew A. Puchany of Muse and Anthony A (Sharon) Puchany of Tioga North Dakota, a daughter Valerie A. (Lyle) Haney of Apollo, with whom he made his home, five grandchildren; Albert R. Puchany, Angela and Shaily Jeffers, Andriana and Alexander Puchany, a step grandson Chris Krieger, a sister, Natalie Kakais of Canonsburg, a brother Fred (Ted) W. Puchany of Canonsburg and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are his brother James Puchany and two sisters Angeline Milligan and Sarah Thomas and a nephew Anthony Milligan.
Friends are welcome from 6-8pm Wednesday May 16, 2012 and from 2-4 and 6-8pm Thursday in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc. Joseph P. Salandra owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where a blessing service will be held at 11 am Friday May 18, 2012. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am Friday in St. Patrick Church Canonsburg. Interment will follow at 1 pm in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township with full military honors by the VFW Post 191 and the American Legion Post 902 Honor Guard. Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. Puchany's name to the Disabled American Veterans 1000 Liberty Avenue #1606 Pittsburgh PA, 15222.
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