Obituary of John Richard Kuisma

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John at the Sault Area Hospital, with his wife by his side, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 after a battle with cancer at the age of 46.

Loving husband and best friend of Suvi. Beloved father of Satu and Eila. Cherished son of Ursula and Arthur Kuisma. Beloved brother of Emmilia Kuisma (Fernando Circelli). Son-in-law of Soile Harjunharja. Brother-in-law of Janne, Antti, Joona (Sarah) and Silja Harjunharja. Grandson of Gerda and the late Manfred Beck, late Arthur and Siiri Kuisma. John will be fondly remembered by many relatives and friends in Canada, Germany and Finland. 

John was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was a creative force - an artist, woodworker, designer, always a sketchbook in hand. He studied at the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) and University of Windsor. He worked at OCAD as an instructor and technician in the plastics studio for many years. In 2017, he moved back to his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie and designed and built a beautiful home for his family. He ran his business designing and building custom furniture and interior finishings, as well as working on film productions. During the summer you could find John on back country camping at Lake Mijinemungshing and on the shores of Lake Superior enjoying beach days with his family and cooking up hotdogs for the whole bunch on his camp stove, taking care of his chickens and garden, popping in for coffee at his parents’ place down the road and walking on the trails of Hiawatha with his dog Shadow. He loved playing board games with Eila and every Sunday he joined Satu at Special Olympics bowling. He had such a kind and positive spirit, always ready to lend a hand. He was a great teacher, mentor, father, husband, son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend. He was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Come & Go Celebration of John’s life at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the family’s GoFundMe (https://tinyurl.com/4tnt7c4y) or the Sault Ste. Marie Special Olympics (https://tinyurl.com/2cr28pvj) would be appreciated.

A heartfelt thank you to the SAH staff and medical personnel for their compassion and professionalism during John’s care.