Andrea M. Rutigliano

Andrea M. Rutigliano, 41, of Hounsfield, passed away January 4, 2025 at Crouse Hospital surrounded by her family. Andrea fought a courageous five-month battle with breast cancer and will be greatly missed.

 Andrea was born on August 13, 1983 in Carthage, daughter of Michael J. Rivers and Deborah L. (Ward) Prievo. She graduated from Carthage Central High School where she ran on the Track team. She earned her AAS degree from Jefferson Community College, BS degree from Empire State College, both in Early Childhood Education, and her M.Ed. from SUNY Potsdam.

On August 2, 2008, she married Kyle V. Rutigliano at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Jerry Benjamin officiating.

 Andrea touched countless lives, spreading love, kindness, and compassion everywhere she went. She had a beautiful heart, and she truly made the world a better place. Andrea‘s dream was to be a teacher. Her kind and caring nature and positive attitude allowed her to be the teacher she always wanted to be. Andrea began her teaching career as a First-Grade teacher at Carthage Elementary School. Until her recent illness, Andrea was a Kindergarten teacher at Belleville-Henderson Central School.

 No matter what Andrea was going through, she always listened and knew exactly what to say to make someone feel better. Her positivity was contagious. She was gifted, talented and wise beyond her years, but it was her quick-wittedness that will be missed most. She had a long list of one-liners and an uncanny ability to make people laugh. Andrea loved her family more than anything. She was a devoted and loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin, but her biggest joy in life was her role as mother to Ava. She was an extraordinary role model who always led by example. Her legacy will live on through her beautiful daughter. Andrea’s strength, courage and bravery is an inspiration to all who knew her.

We would like to share two quotes that perfectly describe Andrea:

 “No kind action ever stops with itself.”
 ~Amelia Earhart

 “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”
 ~Jim Valvano - Coach and Advocate for Cancer Research

 The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff from the ICU department and 4 South Oncology at Crouse Hospital and HOA in East Syracuse for their compassion and exceptional care over the past five months.

Surviving besides her husband are, a daughter, Ava, mother and stepfather, Deborah and Michael Prievo, Waynesboro, PA, a sister, Patricia (John) Downs, Waynesboro, PA, her beloved cat, Smokey, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bettina and Pete Rutigliano, Watertown, a sister-in-law, Krista Peck, Franklin, California, a niece and two nephews, Lily, Hunter and Connor. A brother, Michael J. Rivers, Jr., and her father Michael J. Rivers, Sr. died before her.

Andrea was a member of Sackets Harbor American Legion Auxiliary and was a member of the Belleville-Henderson PTO. She was a lifelong Yankee fan, an avid Pitch player and truly enjoyed her social life with family and friends. She enjoyed baking with her daughter, boating on Sandy Pond and everywhere in between, and ATV riding on Tug Hill.

 A celebration of life will be Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at a time to be announced at The Crimson Mark at Worth Gold Farm in Sackets Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made Belleville-Henderson Central School, Attn: District Treasurer, 8372 County Route 75, Adams, NY 13605 to help form the Mrs. Andrea Marie Rutigliano Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be given to a graduating senior that is, “kind, respectful, responsible, outgoing and a true leader like Mrs. Rutigliano was to her students at BHCS.” Andrea’s family would like to thank the team on 4 South Irving at Crouse Hospital. Memorial gifts may be made by visiting  crouse.org/give and selecting “In Memory of Andrea Marie Rutigliano (Oncology Patient and Staff Support Fund)” from the menu, or send to Crouse Health Foundation 736 Irving Avenue Syr, NY 13210 or contact 315-470-7702.
 

 Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.
 

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