Dr. Gerald Vincent Cutcher of Farmington Hills, Michigan passed away peacefully at the age of 93 surrounded by family members. Born on December 11th, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, Jerry was the second oldest of four children. 

Jerry is survived by his brother, Dr. James Cutcher (the late Vivian) and his seven children; Gregory Cutcher (Annette), Christopher Cutcher (the late Pauline), Janine Cox (Sean), Dr. Douglas Cutcher (Leigh Anne), Mary Jo Janusky, Carolyn Gabel (Steven), and Paul Cutcher (Bobbie Jo). 

Proud grandfather of Mary Parker (Zac), Joshua Cutcher (James), Jeremy Cutcher (Lexi), Melia Kaufman (Conner), John Cox (Nirupama), Caitlin Laystrom (Arthur), Brendan Cox, Clare Nowak (Zachary), Patrick Cox, Alyssa Cutcher, Kyra Turnbull (Andrew), Kathleen Cutcher, Dominic Janusky, Matthew Janusky, Kevin Janusky, Jaclyn Gabel, Aaron Gabel, Alexandra Sokobin (Benjamin), and Courtney Gabel. He was also blessed with five great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, parents Roy and Margaret (Kerner) Cutcher, his parents-in-law Russell and Tess Kuhnlein, and his siblings Daniel Cutcher and Marjorie Wielgosh (Ray).

Jerry was raised and educated in Detroit where he graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1950. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Detroit and then went on to graduate from the Ohio College of Podiatry in 1956. He was enlisted at Naval Air Station Grosse Ile, and trained to be a pilot.

Jerry met the love of his life, Rita, in Belle River, Canada while their families were vacationing at adjacent cottages in 1949. Jerry later asked Rita to senior prom, which was the beginning of their love story. Jerry married Rita shortly after graduating from podiatry school on September 15th, 1956. God blessed them with seven children in ten years.

Jerry and Rita lived in Detroit prior to moving to Farmington Meadows in 1960 and then built their Farmington Hills home in 1966 as their family expanded. The Cutcher residence was a favorite gathering place for all the neighborhood kids, where the door was always open, and Rita’s cooking made everyone feel at home. Outside, Jerry took great pride in maintaining his yard and flower gardens. A favorite memory is going to Eastern Market each year for Flower Day where Jerry filled up his car with flowers to keep him planting the whole weekend. Throughout the years, many treasured celebrations were hosted at their home, including their 25th wedding anniversary, countless birthdays, graduation parties, and holidays. Jerry’s grandchildren loved his extensive movie collection, as well as the KitKats and Reese’s he always kept stocked in the fridge. Sadly, Rita passed away in 2016, after a lengthy journey with Alzheimer’s. Jerry’s love was expressed through daily visits to the nursing home. His enduring commitment to Rita during those difficult years served as a shining example for our family of his devotion and love.

Jerry practiced podiatry in Detroit for a number of years before settling into his primary location in Redford Township. He also shared a part-time practice in Taylor, Michigan with his close friend, Dr. Herbert Bircoll, for over 30 years. Upon retiring, his son Douglas took over the practice. Jerry enjoyed continuing to go into the office to visit with patients and help with other business activities to keep his mind sharp. He was especially grateful for his longtime office manager of more than 40 years, Bonnie Klisz. 

Jerry was an enthusiastic alumnus of Detroit Catholic Central High School. He always enjoyed attending school events: Christmas concerts, football games, Boys’ Bowl weekend activities, and class reunions. He was especially proud he could share the Catholic Central tradition with his own sons and grandsons who carried on the family legacy.  

An avid sports fan, Jerry loved all Detroit sports teams, including the Lions, the Tigers, and the Red Wings. He also enjoyed rooting for the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish - unless they played each other.  

Jerry and Rita had a passion for travel, creating countless memories with family and friends along the way. Many trips were taken to California to visit Jerry’s brothers Jim and Dan, Rita’s brothers Bill and Bob, and Greg’s family. They packed into the family’s Buick and Oldsmobile station wagons and took summer road trips across the country, exploring national parks out west, Disneyland, and historic sites in the east. A frequent vacation destination over the years was visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and taking in the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains.

They also traveled to destinations around the world. Some of Jerry’s favorite destinations included Acapulco, Mazatlán, Cancún, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, several ancient ruins, as well as the Caribbean Islands, and Canada. A couple of Canadian highlights included the 1986 World’s Fair in Vancouver, visits to Toronto and Montréal, and a memorable cross-country train trip through the Canadian Rockies and Banff with their dear friends, the Bircolls and Karns. Jerry and Rita also explored Europe, including Italy, England, France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany. Several religious pilgrimages were made; traveling to Israel, Medjugorje, the Vatican, Notre Dame, Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near Mexico City.

Growing up in Detroit, it was only natural that Jerry developed a love for cars. He drove a 1969 Triumph TR6 sports car, always wearing a matching race cap and leather gloves. He also owned a Dodge Charger muscle car. Eventually, the sports cars were traded in for station wagons as the family grew. 

Jerry and Rita loved music. Two of their favorite artists were Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presely whom they saw in Las Vegas several times. A special memory was when the whole family attended the Elvis Presley concert in Ann Arbor on April 24th, 1977. 

Jerry had a great sense of humor and was an entertaining storyteller; traits that endeared him to his patients and everyone he met. His warmth, humor, and generous spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Jerry summed up his life with the following words, which are written on his and Rita’s tombstones: “WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE!”. Yes, indeed it was!

Visitation is on Saturday, August 23rd, at 9:30 AM until the Funeral Mass at 10 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23815 Power Rd., Farmington. Burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 

Please no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the:

Dr. Gerald Cutcher ’50 Memorial Scholarship at www.catholiccentral.net/give. 

When completing the form, please select “Designation” and type: Dr. Gerald Cutcher ’50 Memorial Scholarship.