Andrew T. Panian

Andrew T. Panian, 82, of Harrison Township, died suddenly on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights.

He was born Sept. 27, 1939, in New Kensington, to Andrew M. and Florence Malik Panian, and lived in this vicinity all of his life.

Andrew was of the Roman Catholic faith.

In his early years, he worked as an usher at the Liberty Theater in the Westmoreland County town long known as "Little Chicago."

Andrew graduated from New Kensington High School in 1957.

At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the military branch from 1957-60. During that time Andrew was promoted to the rank of E4 -- Hospital Corpsman.

In that position he provided care to numerous wounded and disabled service persons on the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier and at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Throughout Andrew's life he proudly referenced possession of his DD-214 signifying his honorable discharge from the military.

Upon returning home, he enrolled at New Kensington Commercial School. He also attended the University of Pittsburgh.

While he was attending school, Andrew's professional career began as a claims advisor at the bureau of employment security in New Kensington.

After he graduated from commercial school, he was hired as an auditor at Union National Bank in Pittsburgh.

Eventually, Andrew gained employment at Gulf Oil Corp., and was eventually promoted to administrative accountant at Gulf Research in Harmarville, a position in which he toiled for 20 years through 1984 -- when he was laid off during a hostile corporate takeover.

At age 46, and with a wife and two young children, Andrew worked multiple jobs in many capacities to keep his family in house and home.

"Too old to hire, too young to retire," he would often say of his difficulty obtaining employment in jobs similar to his prior role at Gulf.

Andrew was eventually employed for more than a decade as a custodian for Highlands School District.

Throughout that time, he also worked as an accountant for Good Housekeeping Appliances in Natrona Heights. Following his retirement from the school district, he spent more time working as an accountant at Good Housekeeping. In all, he worked at Good Housekeeping 27 years -- his longest-tenured job.

In Andrew's private life, he was a proud husband, father and grandfather, a talented musician, a voracious reader and student of American and world history.

Some of his happiest times came while playing music and singing for his friends and neighbors, family and bowling buddies. He most enjoyed having some beers and strumming his baritone ukulele and crooning spot-on impersonations of artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and many others for family and friends.

Andrew was a longtime member of the Heights Plaza Men's Catholic Bowling League.

He also enjoyed watching movies about the mafia, most notably The Godfather trilogy, and he could be a stunningly hilarious impressionist.

Andrew is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Tabacek Panian, whom he married Oct. 12, 1963; a daughter, Nancy E. Jones and husband, K. Christopher Jones, and their son and Andrew's only grandchild, Jacob H. Jones; a son, Andrew J. Panian, of Natrona Heights, and his girlfriend, Shelly Davis, of Coraopolis; a brother, Donald Panian, and his wife, Loretta, of Murrysville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his beloved cats -- Casper and Candy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers: Fred Panian, of Lower Burrell, and Robert Panian, of Sarver.

At Andrew's request, related arrangements will be conducted privately under the direction of the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, PA.

Condolences may be made at: cicholski-zidekfh.com