Obituary of Michael Louis Stuttard

Clinton

Michael L. Stuttard, 77, of Clinton, passed away on Monday, February, 6th, 2023 at the Folts Home in Herkimer after a brief illness.

Michael was born October 18, 1945 in Utica, the son of Edwin and Grace (Cole) Stuttard.  He was raised and educated in Clinton, graduating from Clinton High School in 1965 where he was an outstanding Hockey player. Michael entered the military in 1965 as a member of the US Army's 65th Artillery Division. He answered the call to serve his country in Vietnam and he felt it an honor to fight alongside the men of the 9th Marine Division. He was wounded receiving a Purple Heart as a result of his time fighting in Con Thien on September 9, 1967.

On August 31, 1968 Michael married Mary M. Kloster: a union that lasted 47 years until her death in 2016.  In 1962, at the urging of his older brother Ken, Michael took a job sweeping floors at the Clinton Courier working for the Boynton Brothers, Jack and Bill. Bill would go on to be a close friend until his death in 1999. Michael went on to work in all aspects of the Printing business and then in 1994 he became the owner and operator of Clinton Printing.  In 1997 he had the urge to see America and surprised his family by announcing that he would become a long haul truck driver. He spent the next 8 years crisscrossing the states going through major cities and small towns developing the love of talking "directions". After a battle with prostate cancer in 2004 Michael retired to be with Mary in which they traveled to Florida and spent time with their grandchildren.

In 1967 Michael joined the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department.  He found friendship that would last a lifetime as well as a way to serve the community he loved.  He served as Chief from 1988 - 1991 [and while Chief the Village of Clinton suffered the devastating July 4th fire that destroyed the North Park Row block next to the #1 Fire House.]  Michael received numerous awards for his service in the Clinton Fire Department including "Bravery in Saving a Life" presented to him by the Helmuth Ingalls American Legion in March 1972 and the Oneida County Fire Chief's Merit Award in 1977.  Michael was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton, Schilling-Burns-Young VFW Post #9591 and Helmuth-Ingalls Post 232 American Legion.

He had a passion and talent for photography and has blessed his family with a collection of photos that span from his time in Vietnam until his death.  Many of his photos chronicled his love for the Village of Clinton, friends and family. It is a truly amazing collection.

Michael is survived by a son and two daughters-in-laws, Benjamin and Karen Stuttard, Oriskany Falls; Liz Bull, Fayetteville; five cherished grandchildren, Samuel, Eben, and Ella Stuttard, Oriskany Falls, Alexander and Aiden Stuttard, Fayetteville; a sister Caroline Conklin, a brother and sister-in-law; Kenneth and Linda Stuttard, a sister-in-law Patricia Stuttard and many nieces and nephews. Michael is predeceased by his wife, Mary, his son Christopher, in 2014 as well as three siblings; brothers, Paul and Ronald and a sister Kathleen. The family would like to thank The Brookdale community for their support and friendship.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, February 10th, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 13 Marvin St, Clinton, NY 13323. Family and friends are invited to Calling Hours on Thursday, February 9^th, 2023 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the R.P. Heintz Funeral Service, Inc., 10 East Park Row, Clinton, NY. Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery will take place in the spring.

Michael’s family has entrusted his care to the R.P. Heintz Funeral Service, Inc., 10 East Park Row, Clinton, NY.  Online memorial and guestbook available at www.rpheintzfsi.com.