Colonel John Andrew Behuniak, 82, died peacefully in Fort Myers, FL on May 13th, 2018. COL Behuniak was a veteran of Vietnam and the Cold War. He commanded the 139th Air Transport Squadron Airwing out of Schenectady, NY.
COL Behuniak was born in Cohoes, NY in 1935. He was the son of Anna Mae Pinkney Behuniak of Cohoes and the late Andrew Behuniak. He graduated from RPI with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Air Force while attending RPI through ROTC. He served in the Air Force for 25 years retiring in 1995. He piloted the F-86A Saber, C-130D Hercules, C-97 Stratofreighter, DHC-2 Beaver as well as other aircraft. He had many accomplishments throughout his Air Force career.
COL Behuniak is survived by his wife of 62 years Irma Martel Behuniak, his three children, David (Sabrina), Barbara (John) Holder, and Michael (Alise). He is also survived by David’s two daughters Erica and Tiffany, Barbara and John’s three daughters Katie, Jennifer and Amanda Michael’s Children Matthew, Stephanie, Jonathan and Tabitha. Great-grandfather of Paul, Michael, Colin, Adelynn, Gabriel and Camilla. He was brother of Kathie (Al) LaFerete. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was a caring father, a mentor, and a leader. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
During retirement he loved spending his summers on the Great Sacadanga Lake at the family home, and transitioned south to his home on Pine Island, Fla. in the winters. He was an avid outdoorsman teaching his children and grandchildren to hunt, fish, swim, boat, ski, and fly. He taught his grandchildren to fly in his Piper Areo, flying from Massachusetts to New York, and down to Florida for over 20 years.
A viewing will take place at the Marra Funeral Home in Cohoes NY on Sunday May 20, 2018 from 4 to 6 p.m. The burial will be on May 21 at Saratoga National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Flowers may be sent to Marra Funeral Home, donations may be sent to National Stroke Association.
