Andrew L. "Sonny" Lorence

Andrew L. “Sonny” Lorence, 83 passed away on December 17, 2016 at home in Export, PA after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 10, 1933 in Export, to Andrew Lawrence and Anna L. Cotyk. He was raised by his mother, Anna and Matthew “Mim” Cotyk, his father. Andy grew up in Export and graduated from Export High School then enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. He served during the Korean War and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Occupational Medal (Germany), He served 10 years. While serving our country he met, fell in love and married Peggy Jo Peabody, in 1960 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were happily married for 56 years. After leaving the service Andy and Peggy moved to California where Andy worked as a prison guard at the California Men’s Colony, in San Luis Obispo where his first daughter Toni was born. Shortly after her birth he moved back to Export with Peggy and second daughter Andrea was born. Andy loved and appreciated his daughters. He worked and retired from the Union Rail Road. Andy enjoyed gambling, horse race tracks, playing cards, golfing, fishing, stock car racing and most of all dancing with his wife. He also was an avid reader and served as council member for Export Borough. Andy was preceded in death by his mother Anna and Matthew Cotyk and only brother Paul and brother in-law  Donald Peabody of Northridge, CA. and also his 2 best friends, Bruno Zucco and Melvin “Mugsy” Karp, whom he missed dearly. Andy is survived by his wife Peggy of Export, daughters Toni (Dave) Hollis of Saltsburg and Andrea (Adam) Britz of White Valley and will be missed by Max and Jackson his 2 dogs who stayed by his side until the end. Also his grandcats, Little S, Minka, Magic and granddog, Veruca. Friends welcome Monday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Wolfe-von Geis Funeral Home, Inc., 5701 Lincoln Ave., Export (724) 327-1400 where services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. followed by military honors accorded by the Greensburg V.F.W. Post 33 Honor Guard. Interment will be private. The family would like to thank Excela Hospice, Terri, and Kathy for the compassionate care they gave Andy during this final stage of his life.

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