Nicholas Pohronezny

October 29, 2012

Nicholas Pohronezny, 95, formerly of 5 Ashley St., Plainfield, passed away Monday.

Born in Saint Clair, Dec. 4, 1916, he was a son of the late John and Anastasia Klimcowsky Pohronezny. He was raised on the family farm in Pennsylvania.

At age 19, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the USS Quincy for four years. After that, he began flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, followed by tours of duty in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Lido Beach, N.Y., Miami and Key West, Fla., Norfolk, Va., and Annapolis, Md., where he was an instructor in aviation indoctrination for Midshipmen. His last tour took him to Patuxent River, Md., where he flew various aircraft in a support capacity. He retired in 1956, after 20 years of service and began a career in commercial aviation.

He was a pilot for Western Airlines and also flew for Eastern Airlines, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Viasa Airlines in Venezuela, Air Lingus, Japan Airlines, Flying Tigers, Seaboard and finally retired from Federal Express.

He held memberships in the following organizations, Plainfield Rotary Club, Plainfield Lions Club, Moosup Lodge 113 AF & FM, Godreau-McMahon Post 91 American Legion, VFW Post 5446, Danielson Lodge of Elks, 32nd Degree Mason, The Shriners of Newington, Fleet Reserve 20, Groton and Plainfield Social Club.

He was preceded in death by his two sons, Gerald and Barry; Anastasia Vafiadis, Jamaica, N.Y., his companion for more than 32 years; five brothers, Peter, Alex, John, Daniel and Michael; and a sister, Ann.

Surviving are a son, Dale, Thompson, Conn.; three daughters, Diana Cheryl Goodman, Oakdale, Calif., Deborah Boutwell, Atmore, Ga., and Kimberly Bragg, Gautier, Miss.; two sisters, Helen David, Schuylkill Haven, and Mary Yuresavage, Summit; his granddaughter, Kayla Pohronezny Trant who lovingly cared for him during his final years, and 11 other grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews including Marie Rummo, Glen Cove, N.Y., daughter of Anastasia Vafiadis, who was responsible for his care and Alicia Pohronezny Courtemanche, his daughter-in–law.

Reposing will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home, 595 Norwich Road, Plainfield, Conn. The church service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Plainfield, Conn. Cremation will be private.