Ishpeming Twp. – Stephen R. "Tooch" Bertucci, age 64, of 1815 Glenwood Lane, passed away on Wednesday April 18, 2018 while in the loving care of his family and the U.P. Home Health and Hospice after a brief battle with brain cancer.

Steve was born October 27, 1953 in Ishpeming the son of the late Dominic J. "Mickey" and Patricia A. (Norell) Bertucci. He was a lifelong Ishpeming area resident and a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1971. Steve worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. mainly as a plant repairman at the Empire Mine where he was affectionately known as "Black Bear". He retired in 2009 after 37 years with the company. He was a member of the United Steel Workers of America, Local #4950 retirees club.

"Tooch" was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. He enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers (and yelling at!!), following his families sporting events, time spent at camp, hunting, woodworking, rides in the woods, and road trips with stops at the casino, but above all of these, he loved to spoil his granddaughters.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Francine (Turino) Bertucci of Ishpeming; son Bryan (Stacy Gray) Bertucci of Ishpeming, daughter Beth (Jeremy) Hubbard of Florence, WI; granddaughters – Myla and Makenley Hubbard of Florence, WI; sisters and brothers – Cile (Mark) Nabers of San Antonio, TX, Michael (Peggy) Bertucci, Christine Bertucci, Anthony (Susan) Bertucci all of Ishpeming, Timothy (Cheryl) Bertucci and Pamela (Bill) Nelson both of Negaunee and Mark (Michele) Bertucci of Ishpeming; father-in-law Paul Turino of Ishpeming, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law – Steven (Marj) Turino of MN, Mary (Doug) Stone of Negaunee, Rosanne Turino of Ishpeming and Ann Turino of Negaunee; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Shirley Turino and brother-in-law Michael Turino.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 until 4:00pm on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming where a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 4:00PM with the Rev. Fr. Dan Moll to officiate. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.

The Bertucci's family thanks Dr. Lloyd Hooper and U.P. Home Health and Hospice especially Paula and Dani for their compassionate care.

Tooch's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.
To listen to Tooch's service click here