May 2, 1933 — August 15, 2024
Andy was raised in Downieville through his freshman year of high school, moved with his family to Colusa County, and attended Pierce High School in Arbuckle. He graduated from Colusa High School, attended Sierra College (then in Auburn), and graduated from CSU Sacramento before entering the Navy. After Officer Training in Rhode Island, Andy was active in the Navy and was second in command of the Navy Destroyer, USS Cree TF-84, with trips to Japan, Korea, Hawaii, and elsewhere. Upon returning to the States, he met another naval officer while in San Diego, Patricia (Pat) A. Smith, who would become his wife of 52 years.
Andy and Pat settled in Carmichael, where they raised their son, Jeff, and daughter, Suellen (aka Sue or Susie). Andy worked for the then-thriving Aerojet General Corporation and retired after 29 years of service. Andy remained in the Navy reserves during that time, retiring at the rank of Captain.
With family roots going back to the 1860s, Downieville was always considered Andy’s hometown and was the foundation of his closest, lifelong friends. Weekends and vacations with the family were spent there regularly, where Andy would share his enthusiasm for hunting, fishing, trail bike riding, and general “corking off” with his friends and family. Reminiscing about his days growing up in Downieville was his favorite pastime!
Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Irma Ponta, his wife Pat, and his brother Melvin Ponta. He is survived by his son Jeff (Donna) Ponta, daughter Sue (Rich) Marcucci and their son Alex (Alex) and their daughter Riley, granddaughters Katie (Max) Vogt and Anna (Dylan) Smith, and great-granddaughters Sadie Vogt and Ellie Smith. Andy is also survived by relatives Marcella Ponta, John (Dolly) Ponta, Juliane (Tim) Deary, and their children/family, Shelby and Tyler (Lauren), and their two children, Grace and Elijah.
Andy will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Pat, at Auburn New District Cemetery during a private ceremony. Remembrances via donations in Andy’s name can be sent to the Kentucky Mine & Museum, c/o Sierra County Historical Society, or to the Catholic Church in Downieville (Immaculate Conception Parish).