Philip John Gutkoski

Philip John Gutkoski, 86, passed away on January 25, 2026 in Sandusky, Ohio.

He was born at home, in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania on August 22, 1939, the first born child of Philip and Jean (Szmurkowski) Gutkoski. When he was a young boy, his parents moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

While attending grade school at St. Elizabeth's School in Cleveland, he met his "grade-school sweetheart", Dolores "Jean" Cervenski. Phil graduated from Benedictine High School, Cleveland, in 1957 and attended Cleveland State University. They were married on September 13, 1958. Shortly after Phil and Jean were married, they moved to Catawba Island, where they raised their four children with strong morals and values. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Port Clinton.

Phil took every opportunity, as a young boy, and well into adulthood to return to his "roots".

His idea of a great family vacation was going to Meshoppen, where wonderful memories were made with his huge Polish family. There he enjoyed working on his grandparent's and uncle's dairy farms. He enjoyed his Polish heritage, conversing in Polish with his grandparents, playing polkas on his accordion and especially dancing to polka music!

While in the Army from 1957 - 1965, he received specialized training in RADAR, electronics and early computers - laying the foundation for his later career.

Phil was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana during the Cold War, witnessing first hand the heightened tension of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Following his military service, Phil had a diverse professional career.

He worked at the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) in Port Clinton. He performed electronic maintenance in support of the national defense weapon systems.

He was employed by the Navy, as a civilian, to instruct the personnel on Navy Flight Simulators at the Naval Air Station Glynco, in Brunswick, Georgia.

While at NASA's Plum Brook Station, Sandusky, Phil worked testing the metal strength of rocket materials and the safety of pumping hydrogen until the mid 1970's.

He then began his tenure with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Phil was a supervisor for DATA communications. He developed tools to aid in the use of air traffic control, and oversaw the major upgrades and additions at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin. He retired after 40 years of Federal Service.

Phil had a generous spirit and found joy in simple pleasures. He was a man of great character, always had sage advice, and a deep understanding of right and wrong.

He enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing all over the United States and Canada.

In 1983, "Captain Phil" began his charter boat service "Phil's Out" on Catawba Island for 20 years. He took pride in gardening and tending to his fruit trees and grape arbors, and sharing his homemade wine! He also enjoyed feeding the backyard birds and wildlife.

More importantly, Phil enjoyed helping others. He lived his life in service to his family and community. He was a 38-year member (1964-2002) of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire department, a commitment he took seriously and enjoyed the camaraderie of the other firemen and their families.

He was fondly known to many Catawba youth as "Coach Phil", as he coached his sons' many baseball and football teams. Along with "Coach Jean" coaching their daughters' teams, summertime in the Gutkoski home was non-stop baseball and hot dogs on the grill! Their home was a favorite place for their friends to gather and the neighborhood kids to play!

Phil was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, with whom he shared 41 years until her passing in 1999 and daughter-in-law, Trina Gutkoski in 2008.

He is survived by his brothers: Ronald (Mary) Gutkowski of Pickerington and Richard (Maureen) Gutkoski of Strongville, and brother-in-law, Gerald (Dorothy) Cervenski of Medina.

He is also survived by his children: Mary Ann (Gordon) Hahn of Huron, Philip Mark (Amy) Gutkoski of Perrysburg, Susan (Richard) Ohm of Oak Harbor and Steven (Chelsea) Gutkoski of Lewis Center.

He was "Papa" to 14 grandchildren, their spouses and 20 great-grandchildren and "Uncle Phil" to many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

He is survived by his second wife, Jacque, and her sons, Sean, Tim and Denny.

The family invites you to join us for a Celebration of Life/Luncheon on Saturday, March 21 at 11:30am at the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire station.

To honor Phil's memory, contributions may be made to the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department, 4730 E. Cemetery Road, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 or the Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Commons of Providence/Memory Unit for the compassionate care they gave to our father.

"Na Zdrowie!" (Cheers!) Phil - to a life well lived!