Andrew Paine

Passed away peacefully on April 27, 2015 at age 91. Born October 30, 1923, in Syracuse, New York to Ehnatay "Edward" Porcynaluk and Antonina Kobasiuk, immigrants from Ukraine. The youngest of 3 children, he was the last surviving member of his parents' family. Serving as a B-26 Marauder pilot and squadron leader during World War II at the age of 20 years, he flew 67 missions over Italy, France and Germany. For his service during the war he received several awards and citations, including the French Croix De Guerre, the U.S. Air Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. Returning to the U.S. at the end of the war, he attended Syracuse University, graduating from there in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During his college years, Andrew met Bernice Hollowaty, whom he married on October 21, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan. Having re-enlisted in the U.S. Army just prior to his marriage, he moved his new bride to Carmel, California, where he attended the U.S. Language School at the Presidio of Monterey. Upon completion of his studies in 1951, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) in Salzburg, Austria. In 1954, Andrew returned to the U.S. for specialized intelligence training at Camp Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland, bringing with him his wife and one year-old son. Later that same year he was assigned to Ft. Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, where he became Special Agent in Charge of the CIC White Plains Field Office. In 1956-1957, he received recognition for his role in the U.S. Hungarian Relief Program. Also during this period a daughter was born into the family at Governor's Island, New York. In 1958, Andrew was ordered to Munich, Germany, where his second son was born in 1960. The family returned to Camp Holabird, Maryland in 1962 where Andrew attended and graduated from the U.S. Army Intelligence School. In 1965, Andrew was reassigned to Saigon, Viet Nam, where he served as an Intelligence Officer. In 1966, he was released from duty in Viet Nam and became a Special Agent of the Intelligence Corps in charge of the Sacramento Field Office. During that same year, he moved his young family to Sacramento. One year later, he retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after serving nearly 25 years subsequent to his service in WWII. After his military retirement, Andrew joined the California State Police, where he worked another ten years before his permanent retirement. He was a resident of Sacramento for forty-nine years, during which he was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clarksburg, California, and at the time of his death, the oldest parishioner at the church. He was an accomplished cook who loved discovering good wine at a good price, and smoking a good cigar after a good meal. He was very much a member of the "Greatest Generation," who remained eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by his immigrant parents, allowing him to become a citizen of this country that he loved very much. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Andrew is now rejoined with Bernice, his beloved wife of 63 years. He is survived by his children Mark Paine of North Salem, New York (Connie), Andrea Blevins of Sacramento, California (B.B.), and Matthew Paine of Gilbert, Arizona (Nancy); four grandchildren, Austin Paine, Kristen Paine, Andrew Blevins and Benjamin Blevins; and special friends, Jeff Zeliff and Jane Scott. A Funeral Mass will be held for family members and close friends at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clarksburg during June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph's.