Deacon Dr. Robert Cuttica 1942-2024

He was born on April 11, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to Lelia and Hector Cuttica.

He grew up in Brooklyn, where he attended St. John’s Preparatory High School and graduated from Manhattan College in New York City. He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center followed by completion of his surgical internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the New York Medical College Flower Fifth Avenue and Metropolitan Hospitals.

He married Dr. Patricia Miller in Riverdale, New York, on Sept. 12, 1970. They had three children, Mary Kathryn, Daniel and Andrew.

From 1973 to 1975, he served in the United States Navy as lieutenant commander and chief of the orthopedic service at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Yokosuka, Japan. He came to Youngstown in 1975 and joined Youngstown Orthopedic Associates where he practiced until retirement. After retirement, he worked for a brief time with Dr. James Pantelakis at the Poland Medical Center.

Robert was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Malone on Dec. 15, 1990, and served at St. Christine Parish as a deacon and pastoral associate for 30 years.

Robert was actively involved in several medical and religious organizations throughout his life. This included serving as president of the medical staff at the Youngstown Hospital Association, medical director of the Adult Program at the Easterseals Center, assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and a member of the Oblate Sisters’ Advisory Board. He was the medical expert during the process of beatification of Blessed Maria Teresa Cassini. In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, being knighted by Cardinal John Foley in 2010. He was also recently professed as a Third Order Franciscan.

In retirement, he exercised his love for cooking regularly and prepared many dinners at St. Christine Parish Center, most notably for the annual St. Christine’s Ladies’ Night Out evenings. He will be missed by his family and the many people he served so humbly throughout the years.

Robert is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Mary Kathryn Williams, Daniel Cuttica and Andrew Cuttica; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lelia and Hector Cuttica.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at St. Christine Church and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, with a funeral Mass to follow at 11 a.m., at St. Christine Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Christine Memorial Fund, Akeso Home Hospice, or Woodlands Home Care.

Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home in Youngstown assisted the family with the arrangements.

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