Jason P. Kutulakis

"A lawyer's time and advice are his stock in trade." Abraham Lincoln

Jason P. Kutulakis, Esquire, 47, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania died suddenly at home on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Jason, a very proud 1986 Big Spring High School graduate, felt a calling to protect the most innocent and vulnerable children of Pennsylvania. As a member of the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection, Jason advocated for stronger laws to protect the victims of child abuse and to hold accountable those who harm children.
Jason is survived by his wife of 17 years, Joanne (nee Cassidy), and his cherished daughter Alexandra. When Jason and Joanne first met, Joanne's career as a pediatric intensive care nurse resonated with the young attorney from Carlisle who championed for children. Not only was their marriage a union of similar commitments, they shared a passion for family life and creating a home full of love and selfless service.
With their hearts joined, they embraced the challenges and rewards of renovating a multi-generational homestead. At Fieldwood Farm, they loved making a home for their many cherished dogs, cats, horses, ducks, guinea pigs, rabbits, and donkeys.
In late summer 2001, Jason and Joanne rejoiced in the birth of their daughter, Alexandra. Jason and Joanne fully shared their love of the farm with their little girl by involving her in daily barnyard chores. They delighted in introducing Alex to the fun of horseback riding, walking barefoot in the pastures, feeding the donkeys, planting flower and vegetable gardens and appreciating the bounty of nature all around them. Beaming with pride, Jason could quickly recount Alex's many accomplishments as a Big Spring Bulldog. He founded the Bulldog Foundation and served as its first president. Jason loved to cheer on Alex during gymnastic meets, field hockey, volleyball and basketball games, and instilled in her an abiding love of animals. He especially loved their dogs.
Jason was an avid sportsman who drew inspiration from the natural beauty of Pennsylvania. As a young man, Jason was drawn to the woods and waters of Raystown Lake. He spent many joy-filled days there hunting with his high school buddies. As an adult, he introduced his beloved wife and daughter to the adventure of cabin living as well as boating, fishing, and tubing. It was in this cabin that Jason felt most relaxed; this little place in the woods was his true safe haven.
Jason was a proud 1991 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and an avid, loyal fan of the Nittany Lions. After spending many hours as a boy at the Dickinson School of Law watching his father teach, Jason was happy to follow in his footsteps and earn his J.D. from Dickinson Law in 1994. After Penn State merged with Dickinson, Jason served on Dickinson Law's Board of Governors and worked hard to keep the law school based in Carlisle, PA.
He fulfilled a lifetime professional dream in 2001 by founding his own law firm, Abom & Kutulakis, in downtown Carlisle. Jason's skill with hammer, nails, paint and woodwork can be seen throughout the building he diligently renovated. Jason focused his practice on child advocacy, civil litigation, workers' compensation, and business counseling. Jason spoke often of the wisdom his late father, Attorney Peter Kutulakis, imparted to him as a young attorney. "If you do good work at a good price," his father said, "you will always have clients." Jason truly admired his dad.
Prior to founding his law firm, Jason worked on the complex litigation involving Three Mile Island. In 1997, he joined the Dauphin County Public Defender's Office where his primary responsibilities were in the Appellate and Juvenile Divisions. In 1999, Jason joined the Camp Hill law firm of Marshall, Smith and Haddick, P.C.
Jason loved being a lawyer and his greatest passion was the protection of child-abuse victims. From 1999 to 2010 he served as the Solicitor for Dauphin County Children and Youth Services. In 2004, he formed the non-profit organization The Pennsylvania Children and Youth Solicitors' Association. In 2006, The Pennsylvania Bar Association's Children's Rights Committee honored Jason with The Child Advocate of the Year Award.
Jason's vision helped to create ChildFirst PA, making Pennsylvania the 17th state in the nation to offer a certified forensic interview training program for child abuse cases. The ChildFirst PA program is specifically designed for investigative teams of law enforcement officers, social workers, prosecutors, child protective attorneys, and mandated reporters of abuse who must provide essential information to investigating professionals.
In January 2012, Jason was selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Governor's Task Force on Child Protection. The 11-member Task Force was formed after the Jerry Sandusky-Penn State child sexual abuse scandal to review and make recommendations on how to overhaul the child abuse laws of Pennsylvania including the definition of child abuse, mandated reporter and perpetrator. On November 27, 2012, Jason participated in a public meeting where the Task Force's Report was presented. The General Assembly has adopted more than two dozen changes to state law, largely fulfilling the recommendations made by Jason and his Task Force colleagues. He proudly served on the board of directors of Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA). Jason's counsel was instrumental in helping PFSA secure a Department of Human Services' statewide contract in 2016 to provide training to mandated reporters of child abuse in Pennsylvania.
Jason received numerous professional and volunteer accolades, including: Brad M. Jackman Award from the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Solicitors' Association; George E. Hoffer Service to Youth Award from the Cumberland County Bar Association; Central PA Business Journal's 40 Under 40; 2006 Outstanding Citizen from the Dauphin County Commissioners' Office; 2006 Child Advocacy Award from the Cumberland County Commissioners' Office; and elected first president of the Big Spring School District Bulldog Foundation.
Jason loved his country and the give-and-take of political debate. He was active in the Cumberland County Republican Party and worked tirelessly on behalf of dozens of GOP candidates over the last 15 years, in fact, spending his last day at a GOP endorsement meeting serving as the Party's vice chairman. He was a strong advocate for farmland preservation and responsible development of communities throughout Cumberland County.
Surviving Jason are the following: his beloved wife, Joanne; his treasured daughter, Alexandra; his mother, Mary; his parents-in-law, Marrie and Richard Cassidy; as well as four nephews and two nieces in CT and OR.
Services for Jason Kutulakis are 11:00 a.m. Saturday (2/6/16) at the Second Presbyterian Church, 528 Garland Drive, Carlisle. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been established for his daughter, Alex. Donations can be made to the Alexandra A. Kutulakis Donation Account, Wells Fargo Bank, 604 East High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. A Celebration of Life ceremony will immediately follow the funeral service.
To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com