Andrew Polanichka (1933-2025)

Devoted husband, father and grandfather, Andrew Polanichka passed away on July 19, 2025 at Harmony at Hershey after a brief illness.
Andrew was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1933 to Nicholas and Susan (Chuvan) Polanichka. After completing high school, Andrew served in the U.S. Army. For the majority of his life, Andrew worked as a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. Even after retirement, he continued to do what he loved by serving as a mailroom clerk with Penn State Health-Hershey's Medical Center.
Andrew recently celebrated 64 years of marriage with his wife Joanne (Zawacki). Their married life began in Washington D. C., but settled in Rutherford Heights where they raised their daughters. After 50 years, they moved to Hershey to be closer to their granddaughters. Andrew was an avid Penn State fan and spent many fall weekends cheering the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium, as well as traveling to numerous away and bowl games.
Andrew's affiliations include the American Legion, Rutherford VFW, Rutherford AmVets, Hershey Italian Club, Penn State Alumni Association, Nittany Lion Club, St. Catherine Laboure Church and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
In addition to his wife Joanne, Andrew is survived by his daughter Susan and son-in-law Robert Hetrick, his daughter Helene and son-in-law Thomas Placey, two granddaughters, Emma and Rebecca Hetrick, and his brother Nicholas and sister-in-law Maryann and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers John and Michael.
Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24 in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 West Areba Avenue, Hershey, PA. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. A private interment with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.