David B. Gutowski, 79, of Greenbriar Drive, Kersey, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Penn Highlands DuBois, surrounded by his loving family.

Dave was born May 10, 1943, in Force, PA, son of the late John P. and Irene Benini Gutowski, Sr.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Boniface Grade School and Fox Township High School which consolidated to St. Marys Area High School, where he graduated in 1961.  He attended DuBois Business College, where he earned a degree in Accounting and Business Administration.

On October 27, 1962, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Rigard, who survives.

Dave was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, having served during the Cuban Crisis and the Vietnam Era.  While in the Air Force, he was assigned to bases in San Antonio, TX, Biloxi, MS, and Syracuse, NY.  He was assigned temporary duty in Watertown, NY and a year at Sparrevohn, AK in the Alaskan Air Command.  His duty was in the Aircraft Control and Warning Field where he assisted officers with the control of fighter aircraft to secure the safety of U.S. Northern borders.  He served four years active duty and two years inactive reserve.  He was discharged honorably as a Staff Sargent.

He worked at several businesses related to computers and management, retiring in 2013 from Eastern Sintered Alloys as sales manager after 25 years of service.  He also worked part-time at Riverside/BiLo for 10 years.

Dave had a true love for his country and his community where he was a faithful parishioner of the St. Boniface Church and former member of the St. Boniface Parish Council.  He also was a former member of the Fox Township Sewer Authority and past member of the APMI Board of Directors.  He was a member of the CMF and American Legion Post 511.

He enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s activities and loved being outdoors.  He was an avid gardener and enjoyed hunting and fishing when he was younger.  He particularly enjoyed the family vacations to Myrtle Beach and the adventures with his wife driving across the country.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by two daughters: Sharon Barbazzeni and Pamela Smith (Timothy), both of St. Marys; two sons: Dean A. Gutowski and David M. Gutowski (Marjorie), both of St. Marys; seven grandchildren: Adam Barbazzeni (Jessica), Joel Barbazzeni (Katie), Andrew Smith (Gennavieve), Marcella Smith, Alexander Smith, Allison Gutowski, and Luke Gutowski; three great-grandchildren: Angelo Barbazzeni, Mayzee Barbazzeni, and Theodora Smith; two sisters: Veronica Sterbank (John) of Kersey and Mary Carbonara (Ronald) of State College; a brother Michael Gutowski (Catherine) of Mercer, PA; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Gutowski of Rochester, NY; and by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by a brother, John Gutowski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Boniface Church on Monday, November 28, 2022, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Kevin Holland, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.  Full military rites will be accorded by the Fox Township Servicemen’s Burial Detail. 

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.

In honor of Dave’s brother John, memorials, if desired, may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL, 33131 or to the St. Boniface Parish, 355 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15846.

Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.