June 23, 1955 – May 22, 2020
Andrew Michael Pohorilak “Andy”, 64, of Turlock, passed away on May 22, 2020.
Andy was born in Boulder, CO to his late parents Lillian (Lietz) Pohorilak and William Pohorilak (both of Cleveland, OH) with his sister, Bonnie, welcoming her much younger baby brother to the Rock Ranch.
He grew to be a kind, gentle and loving man, a real teddy bear. Andy and Trish recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. He loved his family, watching it grow to grandchildren and most recently a great grandchild. Andy was a heavy equipment mechanic for most of his career. He started at the Homestake Mining Company on Monarch Pass in Colorado at an elevation of 11,312 ft. working on massive Euclid truck tires. He later transitioned to millwright for Gateway Contractors which brought Andy and Trish to California in 1989.
Colorado was his true mecca, a piece of his heart resided in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. To put it lightly he was a huge Colorado University football fan (Go Buffs!) along with his mom, Lillian. He was also a big Nascar fan, actually any kind of racing fan!
Andy was a resident of Turlock, CA on the Morning Star Rock Ranch for 19 years and resident of California for 31 years.
Andy is survived by his beloved spouse, Patricia (Driscoll) Pohorilak “Trish” of Turlock, Andy’s eldest daughter, Loren Pohorilak of Longmont, CO, granddaughters Makayla and Alyssa Paull of Cheyenne, WY and great grandchild Cherokee, Andy’s youngest daughter and family Andrea and Adam Virtue and grandson Austin of Wellington, CO. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie and Mike Hedstrom of Vero Beach, FL, Trish’s brother and sister-in-law Tim and Teresa Driscoll of Satsuma, FL, nephews Lars (Chip) Hedstrom and family of NY, Eric Hedstrom and family of HI, Karl Hedstrom and family of NY, and nieces, Leigh Reed and family of NY and Sage Maker and family of RI. Andy had 11 great nieces and nephews.
Andy was one of a kind! The most supportive and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend anyone could ask for. We are blessed to have had you in our lives my love.
You are gone too soon from this earthly world, always on our minds and forever in our hearts.
WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS FOREVER
A celebration of Andy’s life will be held at a later date.
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Laurie says
July 25, 2020 at 12:22 amA remembrance for Andrew (Andy) Pohorilak
June 23, 1955 – May 22, 2020
With teary eyes I read this, too too young for Andy. I haven’t seen Andy or Trish for over 35 years, but worked at the Homestake Mine with Andy in Gunnison and loved getting my hair done by Trish in our early years there!
I have thought of you two often Trish and it warms my heart to hear of your wonderful life after our Gunny days together!
Please reach out to me anytime, would love to hear more of your and Andy’s life!
Love to you and your family.
Beki (Eiden) Peter
Kim Daldos says
June 23, 2020 at 6:03 pmAndy was my older brother. Not from the same mother Dear sweet Dolly, but we grew up together. His parents and mine were good friends and we spent a lot of time together growing up……and getting in trouble, like any pair of young adventurous friends. Looking back, they were magical times, four wheeling, hanging out at Andy’s cabin in South Park, and just enjoying life.
You will truly be missed, not just by me but by many.
Love you Andy.
Karen Jenson Nieuwendyk says
June 14, 2020 at 12:36 pmDear Trish and family, Although sadly, we have never met your dear loved one Andy in person, I feel that we know his kind nature and happy spirited personality over the years through our long distance,true, lifelong friendship. I treasure the stories, and family photographs over so many years and through all the adventures and know that he will be sorely missed by all who have had the honor to know and love him. He was truly a special person. A beautiful life remembered. Our heartfelt sympathy and understanding. Love, ABFA, Kere, Joe and family.
Lars Hedstrom says
June 13, 2020 at 1:05 amAndy was my brother in law. He was 15 years younger than me. I thought of him as my younger brother. A very special relationship. I recall while he visted my family at Fort Benning as I was getting in shape for Ranger School, he was my biggest supporter.
He loved the Colorado Buffalo’s football team and that was a huge bump to get over every fall as I was a grad from the University of Nebraska. I gloried in my bragging about my schools team when the Cornhuskers won and a few times when the Huskers lost Andy would rub it in to the extreem.
I admired his grit. They were the best moments I remember.
Damn, I will miss him. He was a great friend!