North Dakota dentist’s death surprised loved ones
Victim’s adult son says his father always had the right words of comfort, support
Published: November 8, 2009
When Sierra McKee heard her former roommate and longtime friend had been bludgeoned to death during what appeared to be a robbery at his North Dakota home, she recalled a somber telephone conversation she had with him a few months back.
Philip Gattuso was still grieving the loss of his wife, Valerie, who had died 18 months after receiving an artificial heart. And while he was looking forward to raising his 3-year-old daughter, he was adjusting to the fact that he was going to have to do it as a single parent. But McKee said that’s not what was weighing on him most that day. "He was at Barnes and Noble with Kennedy having story time with her,” McKee said. "Kennedy was happy reading stories, and he was telling me what she was doing and what she was playing with. But then Philip had said he was really sad. He said, ‘I was going to move back to Oklahoma but (Valerie’s) family is trying to take my baby away, so I’m going to just stay here and let time heal things.’” But he wasn’t trying to prevent his father-in-law, Gene Kirkpatrick, from seeing Kennedy, Philip Gattuso’s son Joseph said. "Gene and Sharon (Kirkpatrick) would travel often to visit Kennedy in North Dakota, and I think my father made his best efforts to improve his relationship with the Kirkpatricks by giving them the access to Kennedy they wished for,” Joseph Gattuso said. McKee said it was her understanding that Philip Gattuso even gave the Kirkpatricks keys to his house. As the investigation into his death continued, police announced they had made an arrest in Philip Gattuso’s slaying. The suspect, Michael Allen Nakvinda, was later identified as Gene Kirkpatrick’s handyman, and Kirkpatrick was then charged with paying Nakvinda to kill Philip Gattuso. "Philip was worried they were going to take away his little girl,” McKee said. "Was he concerned they were going to murder him? I don’t think so. Who would think that?” Joseph Gattuso, who lives in London, said he knew there was tension between his father and Gene Kirkpatrick and that the tension had escalated over time. Then his brother recognized Nakvinda’s photo after his arrest. "We knew that there was a custody battle between my father and the Kirkpatricks, but we did not think they were capable of doing anything as bizarre and shocking as this,” the son said.
Last words
The last time Joseph Gattuso spoke with his father, Joseph was nervous about an upcoming business trip.
"He calmed my nerves like only he could do best, and said that I was going to do great,” Joseph Gattuso recalled. "His last words to me were that he had never been more proud of his son.”
Joseph Gattuso said his father always had the right words and plenty of wisdom to share with his children.
But as he prepared for his Friday trip back to England, he said it hurts to know he’ll never get to hear his father’s reassurances again. And he was worried about what will happen to his little sister, who is now with her maternal aunt, Regan Williams.
"I’m very devastated with the whole incident,” Joseph Gattuso said. "And I’m concerned about my sister Kennedy. I don’t think she’s in safe hands right now. And if I were in the states residing right now, I’d take her back in a heartbeat. But since that’s not the case, I just hope we can get her back within our family again.”
Lives touched
Joseph Gattuso said what he remembers most about his father is an incredible devotion to family.
He was the kind of father who would drive hours to watch a track race, and whose face lit up when the whole family was together, the son said.
McKee, who owns a local landscaping business, said she has had many calls from people whose lives were affected by Philip Gattuso.
She said she has many fond memories of the man she met more than a decade ago when he was attending dental school.
"I can tell you Philip was a very generous, very kind, inquisitive, goal-oriented, intelligent person who had a zest for life,” she said.
"He was this tall Italian guy with a New Orleans accent, and he was the best roommate I ever had.
"He was gentle and kind, easygoing and always wanted to learn. And he was a good father.”
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