Obituary of Stephen G Kutsko

Stephen G. Kutsko

1945 – 2024

Stephen G. Kutsko, 78, of Rome passed away on Sunday April 7, 2024, at home. He was born in Rome, NY on September 30, 1945, son of the late Stephen A. “Kutz” and Maria L. (Petronella) Kutsko. Stephen was educated in Rome schools and graduated from Rome Free Academy, class of 1963. After high school he served in the United States Army and performed one tour of duty in Vietnam, receiving multiple medals for his service. Honorably discharged in 1969, Stephen returned home and was employed as a Therapy Aide for the Rome DDSO.

Stephen loved the outdoors and spent his summers in the Adirondacks at Camp Bruno, named after his beloved Doberman Pinscher. He hiked the Adirondack High Peaks and hundreds of trails throughout the park multiple times over, knowing every trailhead by name and location.  He was a dedicated kayaker and proud member of the Big Moose Kayak Club, creating many lifelong friends paddling over the lakes. He was an avid nature photographer, expert downhill skier, accomplished tennis player, Adirondack history buff, and cribbage aficionado, appreciating the fine arts in its many forms. Most of all, he shared his love of the outdoors with his family and friends.

Surviving is a sister, Madonna (John) D’Amore; a paternal aunt, Sister Rosemarie Kutsko; nieces and nephews: Dean D’Amore (Shelley Bartolotti), Darlene D’Amore, Dana D’Amore, and Derrick D’Amore; a great-nephew, Caden D’Amore; a sister-in-law, Katie Hilburn; several cousins, including Fran (Patrick) Trapp, Tania (Joel) Tamburino, Toni Lynne (Jeff) Klossner, Delores Austin, and Jen Combopiano. He was predeceased by his parents, Stephen A. and Maria L. Kutsko; and brother, Edwin F. Kutsko.

Stephen had many special friends: Ed and Joanne Scheid, George and Joyce Watts, Steve and Donna Klumpp, Sharon Petrides, Ginny Milliman, Sally Smith, Joe Malorzo, Tony Durante, John Capponi, Mary Manfredo, Fred and Carol Hamba, and his beloved cats, Lilly (predeceased) and Ziva. 

A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc, 7751 Merrick Rd, Rome, N.Y. 13440. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, prior to the service.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.