Distinguished UCSF Dentistry Alumnus Dies
Joseph Sciutto
Sciutto also was a longtime clinical instructor at UCSF Medical Center, teaching from 1958 to 1975.
He celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends, a truly joyous celebration of his life, on Oct. 19. Sciutto had been the grand patriarch of his family. His wit, sparkle and charm were equaled by his character and self-discipline. He captivated those around him with a twinkle in his eye, a vast vocabulary and a hearty greeting with a firm grip. Sciutto exercised avidly, working out at the gym three times a week. He kept current on events, followed the stock market, loved the Cal Bears, dressed in a dapper fashion and played a winning game of dominoes. He enjoyed oil painting and fly fishing on the Mackenzie River. He celebrated his last hole-in-one at age 80 at the Claremont Country Club, where he was an enthusiastic member. He was an accomplished man: UCSF School of Dentistry Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, 1991; Staff Dental Surgeon at UC Berkeley Cowell Hospital, 1928-1937; clinical instructor UCSF Medical Center, 1958-1975; chairman of the 5th International Dental Seminars to improve dentistry in Asia and South America in 1969. He was a proud member of the American Dental Association; Berkeley Dental Society (president); UCSF Dental Alumni Association (president), Rotary Club of Berkeley (president and Paul Harris Fellow), UC Alumni Association, and Xi Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a fellow of both the American and the international college of dentists. Born in 1906 after surviving the SF earthquake in utero, Sciutto was raised in Salinas by his mother, Louise Sciutto, with his brother Bill and sister Ida. He was a 1928 graduate of the UCSF School of Dentistry. He provided outstanding care to patients in his Berkeley practice and reluctantly retired after 55 years. A true family man, he was adored by his son, Robert Sciutto, and daughter, Barbara Sciutto Blunden, and by his grandchildren Jennifer and John Hohman, Tricia MacLeod and fiancé Nelson Singleton, Amy and Steve Ruegg, Ann and Jim Huchingson,; and Molly Blunden, who will miss their loving "GPJ." He was proud of his fourth generation of great grandkids: J.D. and Meaghan Hohman, Kyra, Matt, and Scott Ruegg, Henry, Brady, and Andrew Huchingson. The family is appreciative of the dedication and love given by Venise Niko, caregiver of 15 years. His heartfelt losses were his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Gale Sciutto; grandson, Robert Douglas Sciutto; and son-in-law Anthony Blunden. A celebration of his life was held on Nov. 17 at the Claremont Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the UCSF Foundation, noting the "Sciutto Endowment," UCSF Dentistry Development, 745 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143-0970.