Fr. Joseph V. Kurutz

Beloved servant of God, Reverend Joseph V. Kurutz of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the age of 90.  Fr. Joe is the son of the late George and Anna (Frena) Kurutz of Homestead, PA; the brother of late Fr. George Kurutz, Anna Weiss (Matthew), Mary Flinn (James), Pauline Stezoski (Walter),  and Margaret Kurutz; the uncle to nieces Linda Flinn, Lorise Rodriguez and the late Barbara Ann Floyd, and the great-uncle of Julia, Anna and Rose Rodriguez.  Fr. Joe’s adoptive family is the late Stephen and Vera “Koke” Griffin and their children, the Honorable Patricia McCullough (Charles), Donna Albert (Brian), Stephen Griffin (Kim), Timothy Griffin (Christine), and their families.  Fr. Joe was ordained on May 30, 1959, and served with much love and caring at St. Joan of Arc in Library (1959-1964), St. Anselm in Swissvale (1964-1967), St. Michael’s in New Castle (1967-1970), as headmaster of Lawrenceville Catholic (1970-1978), and pastor at St. Raphael’s in Morningside for 26 years from 1978 until he retired in 2004.  Fr. Joe spent the last few years happily in retirement at St. John Vianney Manor surrounded by many of his peers and caring staff.  Fr. Joe’s life was driven by his love for Christ, His Church and His flock.  Fr. Joe truly saw Christ in everyone that he met, and always made sure to meet their needs with compassion and love.  He instinctively and unceasingly assumed as his own the problems of others.    No task was too large or small for him to tackle; especially, if it helped the Church.  From a leak in school plumbing to faulty electrical wiring, he would try and do the job himself to save the Church a little money.   Fr. Joe was a man of great faith, courage and love.  He will be greatly missed.  In the words of our Savior: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Visitation shall be Friday, March 15 from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday, March 16 from 11:00am – 1:00 pm at St. Raphael’s Church of St. Jude Parish, 1154 Chislett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in St. Raphael's Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Elementary School, 325 Emerson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.   Arrangements entrusted to David J. Henney Funeral Home, Library, PA. www.davidhenneyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fr. Joseph V. Kurutz, please visit our floral store.