Erie, Pennsylvania: Patrick Czytuck, a beloved teacher and assistant football coach, passed away peacefully at the age of 72 after battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer on March 10, 2025.
His beloved wife of 32 years, Lee-Ann Czytuck, stood by his side throughout his journey.
Highlights
- Patrick Czytuck’s wife, Lee-Ann Czytuck, whom he married on June 19, 1992, was beside him at the time of his demise.
- He passed away peacefully at his home due to stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the age of 72 on March 10, 2025.
- He was a long-tenured Cathedral Prep Math Department member and was an assistant football coach for over four decades.
Patrick Czytuck was affectionately known as Coach Czy, Pat, Patty, Czy, and Poppie. He dedicated an entire life to shaping the lives of young athletes while building a legacy of commitment and service.
He taught various subjects and coached football and baseball at St. John Kanty Prep. In 1980, he returned to his high school alma mater, Cathedral Preparatory School, and began a legendary career as a math teacher and coach.
His name is synonymous with Cathedral Prep football, and he served as an assistant football coach for over four decades under five different head coaches.
Partick was the only coach in all nine of the program’s state championship appearances and five triumphant state title wins in 2000, 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
He was an authentic coach who mentored many younger coaches. He coached baseball and track and field for over four decades.
It is with deep sadness that we inform the Cathedral Prep community of the passing of Pat Czytuck ’70, longtime teacher and coach. He was one of the longest tenured teachers in Cathedral Prep history, serving the Math Department from 1980-2022. Pat, or as his players, students, friends, and family know him as “Coach Czy” or “Czy,” also served the Cathedral Prep football program for 43 years under five different head coaches. His four plus decades of service are more than any other coach at any level/sport in the history of Cathedral Prep athletics.
Cathedral Preparatory School
Patrick Czytuck’s Family Mourns The Tragic Loss
Patrick Czytuck, the son of Joseph and Joann (nee Ropelewski) Czytuck, was born on April 30, 1952, in Erie, Pennsylvania. His parents raised him in the lower east side of Erie.
He passed away, leaving a legacy of compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his students and athletes.
Patrick was more than just a teacher and coach. He was a guiding light in the lives of countless young men who walked the halls of Cathedral Prep.
He inspired students to strive for excellence in and out of the classroom. His passion for education was matched only by his love for football, where he spent four decades as an assistant coach.
He helped to shape the team into a powerhouse of skill, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Patrick was inducted into the Cathedral Prep Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Metro Erie Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Likewise, he was awarded the N.W.P.F.C.A. Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2017.
In addition to the athletic field, he was a long-tenured Cathedral Prep Math Department member.
He taught from 1980 to 2022 and helped students before and after school hours, giving his time selflessly.
March 10th, 2025 @ 9:47 am Poppie(Pat Czytuck) passed away surrounded by his family and friends. One of the greatest men I ever knew, & I had the privilege to call my Poppie. My stubborn ole Polakk. My heart is broken. We appreciate all the love, prayers, and support you have sent our way. Life will never be the same without him. Rest in peace Poppie. I’m forever grateful I got to say goodbye. We got Grammie from here.
Courtney Lee
I love you forever & I’ll miss you for always.
Furthermore, he was an avid golfer, bowler, and softball player who enjoyed spending time with his family. He married Lee-Ann Callista on June 19, 1992.
Pat wife, Lee-Ann; stepson, Brian Peterson; daughter-in-law, Tiffany Wlodarczyk; grandchildren, Jakob, Jordan, Cassidy, and Courtney; and great-grandchildren, Theo, Oaklynn, Silas, and Gabi, survive him.
The Czytuck will hold his celebration of life at the Cathedral Prep H. David Bowes Auditorium from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and his funeral service will be on Friday at noon at St. Francis Xavier Church in McKean.
However, his burial will be private, and the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory will make the arrangements.
Instead of flowers, his family requested donations be made in Patrick’s memory to the Cathedral Prep Football Boosters or the Erie Humane Society.
His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched through his teaching and coaching. Rest In Peace, Coacj Patrick Czytuck.
Additional Information
- After graduating from St. Hedwig’s Grade School, Patrick Czytuck enrolled at the Cathedral Preparatory School for Boys in August 1966 and excelled as a baseball player.
- He was also an outstanding student and a proud Prep Class of 1970 member.
- He earned his BS in Mathematics from Gannon College in 1974.
