Graham and Aimee--

I was so sadden to hear about the loss your father. 
O'Connell was certainly a better place because of him! He touched many lives there over the years~ a mentor to many, a coach to some, a father figure to others. I always looked at him like a father figure.

Your father was stern yet gentle holding the highest expectations for all of us. He demanded respect just by his very presence but, oh, with that smile of his ~ he showed his tender heart. He loved those kids and loved what he did!

Hope you both are at peace now that his suffering and battle with cancer is over.... May he now rest. Peacefully.

Prayers to you and your family!

"Mr. Gutter" instilled many valuable lessons to me in a firm but kind and fair manner. Some of those lessons have been priceless with regard to my life experiences. My prayers are with your family and I know Mr. Gutter has made himself quite at home scolding naughty angels on the Lord's behalf. We will remember him and miss him. God bless you all.

I'm so sorry for your loss Ginny and family. Although I didn't know John that well expect through his brother Russ, who I loved like a brother, but always looked up to him for the values he represented.
Love to All, 
Mike Ciasca

Deepest sympathies from my children and myself to Ginny and the Gutter family.  Though we only became aquainted at Graham and Meghan's wedding, we saw the love and respect your entire family had for John.
Our thought and prayers are with you.
Rest in peace, John.

    Lynn, Corinne, Meredith and Patrick

Our deepest condolences to the Gutter family.  Thanks to John for his dedicated service in uniform, and to the thousands of  students of Bishop O'Connell High School whose lives he touched in so many ways for so many years.

The Ferraro family

Dear Gutter Family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I remember when Col Gutter came to O'Connell. You knew when he was walking the halls (although it was always funny when someone less observent hadn't heard his footsteps or picked up on the subtle clues of classmates) Col Gutter pushed us to operate at our best, to look sharp and to be sharp and he always seemed to enjoy being the guy to bring those things out of us. Thank you for sharing your Dad with us every day. Know that you are on our hearts and in our prayers,  Class of 1986

Coach GUTTER,THANKS FOR LETTIN ME BE YOUR FRIEND. THANKS FOR TEACHING ME AND ALL THE OTHER COACHES ON YOUR YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM. YOU WILL BE MISSED. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND MAY HE GIVE YOU PEACE.   R.I.P.JOHN..  BRYANT BROOKS

Thank you Col Gutter not only for your excellent service to your country but to O'Connell families as well. You were such a wonderful example to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gutter family.
 The Heppes Family (DJO & St Theresa's)

Sorry to hear of John's death. He will be missed. Sorry I cannot attend the funeral but I am visiting my son in Seattle, Wash. You and your family have my prayers and sympathy.

Farewell to my dear friend – John (“Gutter-man) Gutter

Years ago, I had once remembered hearing that, “Throughout your life you will have hundreds of acquaintances, but if you need two hands to count your true friends, you should consider yourself blessed.” I am blessed, and John Gutter was one of the main reasons why.

John died last Sunday, leaving a very large hole in the fabric of the universe.

I didn't see John that frequently, maybe once or twice a month, when I was in the area and of course when I went on various assignments, I didn't see him at all. But true friendship isn't about time together. It's about being able to safely share yourself — your thoughts and innermost feelings — with that other special person. It's about mutual appreciation and integrity. And it's about trust.

John was a kind and gentle soul, and while he enjoyed laughing and joking around, it was never at the expense of someone's feelings. John never laughed at you. He laughed with you. His was never the laughter of ridicule, but was instead the laughter of shared amusement at our common human foibles. Never a finger poking fun, but rather an outstretched arm pulling you into a warm and caring hug.

Now a light has gone out in the world, but John's death has not changed my true-friend count. His spirit continues on in my memories and surrounds me everywhere.

John, you were loved and will be sorely missed. I'll remember you with a smile every time I say the word “Gutter-man.” [I know, I know. Two syllables,]

Safe journeys, my dearest friend.

Peace and blessings until we meet again.

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Gutter. I will keep his family in my prayers.

Ginny, I send my sincerest sympathy. John and I met in the sixties and served our final Marine Corps tour together at HQMC. He was a Marine's Marine and he will be missed. Take best care, my prayers are with you. My kindest regards and Semper Fi, Bill

It was an honor and a privilege to have known John.  He was a mentor to our sons and a friend to the family.  We are so grateful our paths crossed for we are so much more blessed for having known this great man.  He has truly left his mark on this world for all that he was to so many and for having touched so many lives.  He will be sorely missed.  
Our hearts and prayers go out to Ginny & the family.

To the Gutter Family,

Our deepest sympathies to all of you in the news of Col. Gutter's passing.  You, and he, will remain in our prayers as we send the Colonel to his eternal reward.  We all will miss him.

Bob and Toni Meunier and Family--Danielle Meunier Stephan and Bobby Meunier

Coach, I remember trying my best to knock you off the sled every time you had us line up against it in practice, not because I didn't like you but because that's what you expected from us! Your mantras on the practice field have been useful in many and varied situations off of it. Thanks for the life lessons and for making it fun along the way. Rest in peace.

Thanks, Col. Gutter. You kept us all in line at DJO.

i was always scared of principal gutter too, i laughed reading the note above about unrolling the skirt and tucking in the shirt-- i did that too!!! but the couple of times i got snagged for uniform violations and ended up in his office, he schooled me in such a lighthearted way. he was the kind of teacher/principal/person that made you WANT to make him proud, WANT to have his approval. i doubt he would have even recognized me if he saw me.. but he touched a lot of lives without needing too many words.. to his family, your heart is aching and the rest of us are praying.

Deepest condolences to Colonel Gutter's family.  I am a St. Theresa parishioner, and in addition, both of my children graduated from DJO and we have many thanks to John for helping them get through.  Love and prayers, Bonnie McGann (mom of Patrick McGann, class of 2005, and Mary Carroll, class of 1999).

I am a former student who was very touched by Col. Gutter and his smile.  I have spoken about him many times over the years.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

John was a wonderful and integral part of O'Connell High School; more importantly, he was an inspiring person. Our sympathies and prayers to Ginny and John's family.

I am a former student who remembers you as a person who showed us the importance of rules. I also went to school with your daughter so I got to see the human side of you as a father. I remember your smile more than your smirk.. May God bless you and your family.

Ginny,
We were saddened to learn of the loss of your beloved husband John. Although we only spent a few days in the company of You and John at Graham and Meghan's (my Niece) Wedding in Key West last year, we could see what a close and loving Family you have. My wife Ellen and I have You, John and the entire Gutter Family in our prayers during this time of sorrow.

Semper Fi Colonel - thank you for your service to this great Nation and to your community.

George J. Murray III
Senior Chief Petty Officer
United States Navy (Retired)

Ginny,
We were saddened to learn of the loss of your beloved husband John. Although we only spent a few days in the company of You and John at Graham and Meghan's (my Niece) Wedding in Key West last year, we could see what a close and loving Family you have. My wife Ellen and I have You, John and the entire Gutter Family in our prayers during this time of sorrow.

Semper Fi Colonel - thank you for your years of service to this great Nation and to your community.

George J. Murray III
Senior Chief Petty Officer
United States Navy (Retired)

We love you Coach and you will be missed.  Thank you for the time you gave us, the guidance in life and we will see you one day. 

(NO SLACK TO THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN HEAVEN, TWO A DAYS IS A MUST)

My Dear Uncle,
You are in a place where there is no mourning, no suffering, you are with Our Heavenly Father Jesus Christ. Here on this Earth I grieve for the Bodily presence of you. Blessed are those who mourn, they shall be comforted. Love,Lynnie

Uncle John,

I love you and miss you.  Thank you for making animal pancakes when I was a kid.  For chicken on the grill with just the right burn to the skin.  For samurai warrior fun.  For making me love the smell of cigars.  For caring about my life and offering sage advice.  I'll see you later when its my time to go Home too.                    

Love, Brooke

As a student at DJO, I was terrified of you.  When I saw you in the hall...I made sure my shirt was tucked in, and unrolled my skirt to its required length.  As a colleague at DJO, I learned to joke around with you.  Thank you for guiding all those kids at DJO in the right direction.  You will be missed, and I know you'll continue to look over us from heaven.

Coach, Colonel, Marine, Mentor, Second Father, Friend.  If it takes a village to raise a child, you were the elder.  You were my football coach from 8 years old to 18 and while I didn't realize it at the time, all the while you were teaching me more about life than the game.  Your lessons served me well as I became a man (kind of), trying my best to live with integrity, character, honesty and perserverance, just as you did.  The lessons you imparted during both my successes and failures served as the necessary tools I needed to make the correct life choices; to lead my men into combat with these same principles; to try my best to complete the mission no matter the circumstances; and to live a life for others. I don't find it surprising that my next passion is to pass on any lessons I may possess for the next generation as a high school teacher, most of these lessons being yours. So you see, you're not gone, you've just changed form into the beautiful example by which you lived.  And I'll see to it that that example will live on in my future kids, my loved ones, my future students, and within me, today and tomorrow.  You could also call that "immortality", couldn't you?  Thanks for always being there; I promise I won't let you down Coach.  

I'd say I miss you, but that denotes separation, doesn't it?  

Oo-rah.

Uncle John,
You were a beloved and respected man.  I have such great memories of you, my dad & Uncle Greg joking & pulling pranks on eachother.  =)  One of my favorites was watching you get wheeled into our pool on your lounge-chair, with (of course!) cigar in hand.  You had a great sense of humor & I always loved your silly faces & voices you'd make.  Your presence filled the room.  I will always think of you when I see polo shirts with pockets. We will miss you terribly.  Your legacy lives on in your beautiful family, who you loved more than anything.  Give dad & grandma a big hug from us.  Rest in peace, dear uncle.  We love you.
Semper Fi.
Kim, Jake & family

My prayers are with John's family. I admired him as a brother Marine officer and an exceptional dean of students, from whom I learned a great deal as a neophyte dean at Bishop Ireton. I am sure, as the song suggests, that "if the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines...including Colonel John Gutter!

I offer my heartfelt respect and gratitude for all of the sacrifices you've made in your lifetime and for leaving your legacy within each and every O'Connell knight you ever spoke to.  God bless to the entire Gutter family.

Colonel, I remember you used to tell us a joke that "you don't get sent 'down' to the [offensive] line, you get 'sent' up to it."  I know all of us who were lucky enough to be coached by you in football also learned a far more valuable set of lessons - how to be a warrior and a fighter and look out for your team-mates.  That's something we've continued to draw on long after we hung up the cleates.

Dad, we miss you and you will always been our - hero!  The morals, value's and character you have instilled into each one of us will live on forever in your grand kids and theirs.  You have touched millions with each breath you've taken.  If there is one thing you've taught everyone is to never quit and never give up.....Like you said with your last breath - HooRa!

Always in my heart, we love you 
~ JJ & Family ~

We appreciate your many contributions to DJO, most especially for keeping so many kids on the right path.  Always with care and compassion.  You will be missed.  A grateful DJO family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  The Jobe's

Thank you for being a wonderful mentor to my kids. You made them what they are today. God bless your family.

Thank you for believing in my son and all the students who sat in your office trying to find their way to adulthood. You took a chance on him and he made it! You are a good, caring man - hopefully your work in heaven will more pleasant! God's speed!

John was my friend.  We agreed on almost nothing--except all of the important things--character, honor and service.  Airborne!  From an Army man their is no higher tribute, and my friend John deserves the highest tribute.  He earned it, the old fashioned way, by being a man of character.  I will miss him.

Clemenza 
Love you. Well Done Good and Faithful Man.
Lucabrazzi.
PS:Get the Shrimp with "da hed off".

OBITUARY

John Joseph Gutter

April 25, 1940 – July 29, 2012

Murphy Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services