UPPER LAKE – The community gathered Sunday to say goodbye to a much-beloved member, a man who had served his country honorably and raised his family with love, but wasn't one to focus on his own accomplishments.
Charles “Butch” Pivniska was remembered at a service held June 10 at Upper Lake Cemetery.
Pivniska, who would have turned 60 in August, died unexpectedly June 1.
Born in Lakeport and raised in Lucerne, Pivniska graduated from Upper Lake High School and American River College in Sacramento.
For more than three decades he ran his own business, Pivniska Trucking. He hauled mostly gravel and aggregate, later adding heavy equipment moving to his services, according to his longtime friend, Rob Brown.
He was married to wife Marilyn for 32 years, had four children and five grandchildren.
And he had a lot of friends, among them Brown, who at the June 5 Board of Supervisors meeting asked for a moment of silence in Pivniska's memory.
Hundreds of Pivniska's friends turned out for Sunday's services, which included full military honors befitting Pivniska's service as a sergeant in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne during Vietnam. He served in that country from 1968 to 1969.
Rich Feiro and the United Veterans Council Military Funeral Honors Team were there for a gun salute and Taps, a bagpiper played and doves were released.
Feiro said it was the largest funeral the group has ever served at, with hundreds of people in attendance. Brown estimated 500 people were there to lay Pivniska to rest.
The California State Honor Team also was on hand to present Pivniska's widow with the American flag.
In a Monday interview Brown said Pivniska's funeral was “unbelievable,” and a great tribute.
“He deserved that more than anybody I've ever encountered,” said Brown.
Brown, who gave Pivniska's eulogy, said they met 26 years ago.
“I can remember the first day I met him but I can't remember the first day I met my wife,” Brown joked. “I don't know what that means.”
Brown said his friend was a highly decorated war hero, a man who was “the real deal” but rarely talked about it.
A sad note footnote to Pivniska's service is that, several years ago, his military medals were stolen from his Upper Lake shop. Marilyn Pivniska wrote a letter to the editor, asking that that his medals – including a Bronze Star for Valor, Brown said – be returned, but they never were.
But Pivniska's real priority was his family, said Brown.
“Everything else that he's ever done means nothing compared to his kids,” Brown explained.
Pivniska was involved in 4-H, youth sports and any other activities in which his children were interested, said Brown. And the Pivniska kids – Allison, Annie, Chris and Sandy – were natural athletes who often graced the local sports pages.
In recent years, as Pivniska's health began to decline, his son, Chris, helped run the business, and is now continuing Pivniska Trucking, Brown said.
Brown remembered his friend for many qualities, especially his giving nature – and what he shared of himself.
Said Brown, “His generosity, there was no limit to it.”
To see the gallery and slideshow of Butch Pivniska's services on Sunday, visit our Gallery page, http://lakeconews.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,37/.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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