Thomas F. Rutkowski

Thomas F. Rutkowski, age 83, passed away on Thursday, February, 19, 2026. He was born on September 27, 1942, the son of the late Gertrude Sowielaski Kennedy. He resided at St. Joseph Orphanage from 1948 - 1955. He was on the Holy Trinity Championship basketball team and was selected to the All-Star Team. He was a 1962 graduate of Tech Memorial High School and received his degree in Business Management from Penn State Behrend in 1968. He served in the U. S. Navy where he traveled to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and East Coast. Tom retired from Erie Malleable Iron as a Supervisor in 2002. He then worked at the Gertrude Barber Senior Center.

In retirement, he enjoyed sports, both playing and coaching. He coached little league baseball alongside his Uncle Frank and coached both football and soccer for St. Peter’s Cathedral. His philosophy was to teach kids how to play the game and play as a team. Tom always had a great love for the outdoors, hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and cross-country skiing with his dear friends; Jerry Karle and Patty Massing.

Tom married the love of his life, Diane Hoderny, in 1968. They were married 57 wonderful years. Tom and Diane were involved in the Marriage Encounter Program as a lead couple for ten years. Together, with Fr. Patrick Woods, they founded the Engagement Program for the Erie Diocese and presented over 50 weekend programs over ten years. Tom was a member of St. Peter Cathedral for over 50 years where he served as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, and served at the Bishop’s Breakfast. Together with his wife, they spearheaded the Sunday Supper “Feed the Hungry” ministry within the parish. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge #67 of Erie.

Grandchildren were his pride and joy. Together they loved to color, draw, play games, and arts and crafts. When in Charlotte, the swimming pool became an adventure game. In New York, it was watching the sunset over the Hudson River, and in Erie it was campfires at Brian’s home. During retirement they enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, taking many cruises in the Caribbean, trips to Florida, Amsterdam, Morocco, and a riverboat cruise on the Danube.

He was preceded in death by his mother Gertude Kennedy, infant daughter Diane, in-laws Zygmund and Mary Hoderny, and brother-in-law Robert Hoderny.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Diane; sons: Brian (Leslie) of Erie, David (Veronica) of Manhattan, NY, Matthew (Liz) of Charlotte, NC, Mark Dippold (Sharon) of St. Mary’s, PA, brothers-in-law; David Hoderny (Mary) and Mark Hoderny (Vera) of Erie. sister-in -law Nancy Weber, nieces; Melissa, Amy, nephews: John Weber (Robin) of Pittsburgh, Brandon, Bradley, Megan, Pat, Chris, Jenny, and Kevin. Most importantly, his grandchildren: Anna and Michael of New York and Emerson, Parker, and Silas of Charlotte.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 3 pm until 7 pm and are invited to a Funeral Mass at St. Peter Cathedral, 230 W. 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501 on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 10 am. Private interment at Mary Queen of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 218 East 11th Street, Erie, PA 16503.