Obituary of Stephen Pukansky SR

Stephen M. Pukansky, Sr., 83, of Star City, passed away quietly in his sleep at Hospice House in Elkins on January 10, 2012 after a long and brave battle with Chronic Oppressive Lung Disease (COPD) and also due to complications of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) suffered on November 17, 2001.He was born on July 29, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pa., a son of the late Joseph and Agnes (Bogacjik) Pukansky. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 47 years Sarah Louise (Weesie) Rancjik Pukansky on May 31, 1997, whom he married during the great Thanksgiving blizzard of 1950. Steve was the last surviving member of his immediate family, preceded by brothers John, William, Edward and sisters Agnes (Hensler) Pukansky and Mary (Ney) Pukansky. He was also preceded in death by his favorite great Nephew Mark Allman on October 5, 2011.Steve is survived by his son Stephen M. Pukaknsky, Jr., wife Belinda Haught and favorite dog Hershey. He is also survived by his grandchildren Stephanie (Robertson) Pukansky, husband Dan and great grandson Nicholas Ryan Michael Edward Pukansky and wife Yoshie (Kano) Pukansky and Philip Allen Pukansky Julie Haught, her son Devin and companion Anthony Huffman, Dawn Haught, Richie Andrews and daughter Megan, and Virginia (Jeni) Haught, her son Tristan, daughter Caitlin and companion Chad Keller. Steve is also survived by his favorite niece, Donna Linville and her husband Al of Morgantown, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews his lifelong friend Jack Radford of Bruceton Mills and friend Donald Hotsinpiller of Philippi.Steve was a lifelong member of Carpenters Union #2235 of Pittsburgh, Pa and a a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Boutlou Council 2954 of Morgantown. He served as Past Commander, Treasurer and Chaplain of Westover VFW Post 9916 and was a member of their Honor Guard. Until his health prohibited his attendance, Steve considered it an extreme honor to serve on the Honor Guard to help his fellow veterans to their final resting place. Steve was also a longtime member of St. Maryâs Catholic Church, Star City.Steve enjoyed his numerous visits to Philippi to visit with family and friends and always enjoyed the usual game of poker. His favorite game was â7 card studâ and when asked what was wild, he would always respond âOnly the dealerâ. Dad was nicknamed and always known by his grandchildren as âPimPin Papâ. Steve also frequented his favorite watering hole, Tailgaters in Suncrest, and was known to have just ""two"" ginger brandys and ginger ale, play his favorite numbers and shoot the bull with all of his very close friends. Steve never met a person he didnât like at Tailgaterâs.As a âpile driverâ, Steve had a hand in every bridge and dam built within 120 miles of Morgantown, including the bridge on I-68 over Cheat Lake Fort Marion Power Plant Morgantown Lock and Dam and the Opekiska Lock and Dam, just to name a few. In addition, Steve was one of the only individuals that would change the lights atop the fixtures at Father Flynn Field at St. Francis High School.The family would like to express their many thanks to the staff at Ruby Hospital for all of their fine care of Dad, especially the nurses in 8 Northeast (Jackie and all of the fine staff), and to Hospice House of Elkins.Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown from 3-8 PM on Friday, January 13th . Knights of Columbus, Father Boutlou Council 2944 will stand guard at the casket during visitation hours on Friday, and a Scriptural Wake Service will be held Friday at 7:45 PM to conclude the evening visitation. On Saturday, January 14th, Mr. Pukansky will be moved to St. Mary Catholic Church in Star City, where visitation will take place from 10 AM until the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM with Father John V. DiBacco as celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Mary Peace Garden Mausoleum where full military honors will be accorded by Westover VFW Post 9916, Morgantown VFW Post 548 and members of the WVANG Funeral Detail Honors group, Camp Dawson, Kingwood, WV.