Phillip M. McCutcheon

Phillip (Phil) Micheal McCutcheon (73) died peacefully at home with his loving wife Kathy by his side on September 21, 2023.  The son of Kathleen (Stonerock) and the late William Thomas McCutcheon, Phil leaves behind his wife Kathleen Bruner, mother, sisters Janette (Kan) Su and Joyce Seymour, an aunt, uncle, nieces and numerous cousins, colleagues and dear friends.

Phil was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, but spent most of his life in Columbus, Ohio.  As a high school student, he studied electronics at the Paul Hayes Technical Training School. He received an Associate Degree in Applied Science from the Columbus Technical Institute, and a BS in Business Management from Franklin University College of Business and Technology.  Phil had a strong work ethic and was dedicated and committed to his work. His career spanned 50 years. He spent almost twenty years at OCLC in Dublin, Ohio and concluded his career with 17 years at the OSU Prior Health Library and the OSU Wexner Medical Center as an IT specialist. He particularly enjoyed working for these organizations because their mission coincided with his desire to serve others.

Phil’s earlier interests included flying, target shooting, international travel, and eating. He enjoyed a wide range of cuisines and was always first in line at pot lucks and family dinners.  Later in life Phil became an amateur radio enthusiast, an interest he pursued for close to 25 years.

He married Kathleen Bruner in 1998. Their love grew and strengthened as they shared the ups and downs of life for over 25 years. They enjoyed traveling, exploring Ohio’s parks, camping, family get- togethers, international folk music and dance, bee keeping and just spending time together.  For many years, Phil and Kathy volunteered together working in Ohio’s nature preserves with the Columbus Chapter of the Audubon Society.  

Phil was a quiet, kind man of faith and most recently attended Overbrook Presbyterian Church (OPC) where he was a choir member and enjoyed participating in mission outreach programs.  Phil had a soft spot in his heart for the homeless and served them through OPC mission activities and giving generously to the Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Faith Mission.

At age 61 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and entered the most challenging years of his life.  He defined himself as a cancer survivor not a cancer victim.  He continued to work and enjoy his life during all twelve years he was undergoing cancer treatments.  He donated gallons of blood for cancer research projects that he participated in and at age 71 rode in Pelotonia to raise money for OSU’s cancer research.  He entered each treatment with a positive and hopeful attitude and rarely complained.  Phil became a role model for other cancer patients who knew him and was loved and admired by all for his positive spirit during all the years of his treatments.

Special thanks to Phil’s supervisor Charles Rivers, and his HR representative, Miriah Benstein, at the OSU Medical Center. Both looked after Phil’s and his family’s best interest before and after he could no longer work.

Thanks to all at the James OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, especially the Drs. Paul Monk, Douglas Martin and Kerry Rogers and their teams, and the nurses and his special friend, Maria, of the Infusion Department.

Thanks also to Winter, Skye, Natalie and Amber Phil’s dedicated care team from Zusman’s Hospice.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Phil, Saturday October 14, 2023 at 2pm at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 4131 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a cancer research organization of your choice or to LSS Faith Mission 599 E. 8^th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201.