Wasko Funeral Home
Richard G. Putko, 68
Cortland: Funeral services will be held 11am Monday in the Wasko Funeral Home with Fr. Michael Swierz officiating for Richard G. Putko “Rich”, 68 who died suddenly Wednesday morning in his home in Cortland from heart complications.
Rich was born April 1, 1941 in Youngstown the son of Earl V. and Mary A. Skolnik Putko of Campbell; he grew up in a loving home with a large extended family.
He was the only brother to Laverne (Ronald) Dipillo and Dolores Mastroantonio both of Boardman.
He was a 1959 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and loved to attend the many enjoyable class reunions through the years.
He worked 27 years at Youngstown Sheet and Tube and LTV Steel; he later worked at several security firms with his final retirement in 2006.
His interests were traveling, gardening, visiting casinos and attending stage shows and concerts.
He married his wife the former Mary L. Bortz in 1979 enabling them to share 31 wonderful years together and have four children between them, Shelby (James) Hicks, of CA., Christine (Ted) Jones of Willard, and Richard “Ricky” (Kim) Putko of Boardman; his dear Mother, Mary, resides at Park Vista Nursing Facility; also left to cherish his memory are brother-in-laws, Richard (Audelia) Vaughn of Fla., Marcus W. (Cathy) Bortz of Vienna, John R. (Margaret) Bortz of North Warren, Pa, and Larry (Gayne) Bortz of Hermitage, Pa; 4 grandchildren, Brandon and Alex of Boardman, Rachel of Willard and Lisa of Fla. and very dear to him was his Aunt Margaret Fraser of Girard.
He was preceded in death by his father Earl; stepson, David H. Diehl; uncles, Eugene, Dominic and Joe; aunts, Mary, Annie and Sylvia and a brother-in-law James Mastroantonio.
Rich’s greatest enjoyment in life was doing for others and he never hesitated to answer a call for help. He loved to be needed and was truly loved by his wife Mary and others who knew him.
The family requests that donations be made to, the Fraternal Order of Police, Howland Police Dept. 169 Niles-Cortland Rd., NE, Warren, OH 44484.
The Putko family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive friends Sunday from 3-5pm.
Guest Book
Mary I am so sorry to hear about Rich. Words are never enough right now. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of you! Love you Mary
Mary you are in my thought and prayers. You are a beautiful strong woman and Rich loved you for it. You are an inspiration to us all and a light of faith and hope. I love you and and so happy to know you. You are truly one of my favorite people. God Bless and prayers to you and your family. Here is an Gaelic prayer that someone gave me when my father died. ” Deep peace of the running waves to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the smiling stars to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the watching shepards to you. Deep peace to the son of peace to you. Love you Mary
Mary, It was such an honor to know Rich. I am so blessed to have met him. I feel like I knew him even more through the stories you shared. He certainly was not shy about how much he adored you. I pray that God’s peace that passes all understanding will find you. I love you Mary
Thinking of you with love and sadness for your loss.
Mary, I will miss Rich’s nightly calls to you at work and you telling him what needs to be done at the house,or telling him to get tickets to some show somewhere. You always have a smile on your face when you knew it was him calling, and that smile said alot. It was a pleasure to know him and count myself blessed because of him.We are there for anything you need Love Rosie
Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary, I want to express my Sympathy to you. We were out of the Country, I will remember Rich for his kindness and all of his help with our Class Picnic. He was a special person and you were lucky to have him for 31 years. Take care of yourself an invite to you will always be open. God Bless you Love, Joy & Peace
Grace Ann, Class of “59”
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the words in Revelation 21:4,5 be of hope and comfort to you.