Sorry to hear of Paul's passing. I worked with Paul at WKYC.

Deepest condolences to Paul’s family and many friends.  His was a life well lived—a life full of good memories and joy brought to so many other lives.  May all who knew Paul feel the peace and comfort that only comes from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  God bless Paul.

To the Entire Rutigliano Family:

It was an honor and privilege to know Paul Rutigliano in a very special way.  Paul played a key role in my having my own brain tumor surgery 3 years ago.  As someone who worked with his father Sam, for the NFL's New Orleans Saints too many years ago, I came to know Paul even better via his convincing me that I had to have my surgery.

When Paul realized that my tumor was very close to my optic nerve and that 10 neurosurgeons in Chicago shied away from even meeting with me, he strongly suggested I not give up.  While both the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic also turned me down, I refused to give up, thanks to Paul.

It was then some friends of mine in the entertainment world found me a nerosurgeon in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Daniel Kelly, who felt confident he could, unlike the others, could save my sight and my life.

I convey this story to all of you, as Paul inspired me through all of this.  It can be a frightening  ordeal when I had my stroke, but to have it also discover at that same time you have a brain tumor, can devastate you.  But Paul, didn't let that happen to me and I will forever remember that he was primarily responsible for saving my life and sight.

I wish I could be there for his "Celebration of Life" but I want everyone to know that Paul DID have an extraordinary life!

I will remember his kindness and unselfishness for the rest of my life.

What a great warrior for Christ. Out of pain and restored. Until we see you again brother. 
Love to all the Rutigliano Tribe.
Kirk Elmquist

To the entire family of Paul Rutigliano:

I offer my heartfelt condolences on his passing.  Paul was responsible for giving me the encouragement to have my own successful brain tumor surgery 3 years ago.  I came to know Paul through my work with his father, Sam, during our time with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL in '76-'77.  As a result, I came to know Paul's mother Barbara and his sisters, Kerry and Allison. They treated me like family during a Thanksgiving vist to their home.

Paul fought his health battle like a lion and demonstrated the spirit of "never giving up". To his wife, daughter and grandchildren I ask them to cherish the many fond memories they have of Paul as he was a true "Pal" not only to them but to me as well.

I leave all of them with what Clarence the Guardian Angel wrote to George Bailey as the enc of "It's a Wonderful Life" - "No Man is a Failure, Who Has Friends"  And I was lucky to be Paul's many friends.  He helped provide me with the hope that things would turn out fine for me and they have.

Thank you and blessings to Paul and his entire family.  It was a privilege and honor just to know him.

Mary and I would like to offer our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the entire Rutigliano family--first to Paul's wife, Cindy, to his daughters Kristen and Amanda, his sisters Kerry and Amanda, and also to his parents, Sam and Barbara. We saw proof throughout Paul's long ordeal of how much his family loved him. It was a real testament to what a great husband, father, brother, and son Paul was. 
He was also a good friend to all who knew him.  We have never met anyone who didn't love and respect him.

Paul was someone that I always admired. He was easy to be friends with and always willing to listen. When you spoke with Paul you knew he cared. He lived a wonderful life and I will miss him very much. God Bless you.

Coach Paul, thank you for being a great Coach, friend and mentor. You always picked up the phone and encouraged me. Always had a smile. Never too busy to stop everything you were doing to share 15 minutes of life with me and my family every time I returned to Liberty. My prayers and thoughts to the entire Rutigliano family.

Paul was truly a wonderful man and a terrific friend.  He loved the Lord and had a great testimony.  I enjoyed working closely with him at Liberty for nearly 15 years, and missed him so much over the past few years after we stopped working together.  Paul played a instrumental role in building the Liberty Football program during the the tough years of the 1990's, and again during the resurgence of the program in the mid-2000's and beyond.   My prayers are with his family in their terrible loss, while thankful that he knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

OBITUARY

Paul W. Rutigliano

26 August, 1955 – 21 August, 2024

DiCicco & Sons Funeral Home

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