OCAD U mourns passing of former faculty and staff member John Kuisma

Image courtesy of SooToday.com.

The OCAD University community is deeply saddened by the passing of John Kuisma, who passed away on August 7, 2024, at the age of 46, after a battle with cancer.

Kuisma graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design (before it became OCAD U) with a Fine Arts degree in 2000. He then worked at the University from 2004 to 2017 as a Permanent Technician in Printmaking and Plastics, and as a Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Design and the Faculty of Art.

“John was a highly respected and appreciated member of the OCAD U community, in his role both as technician and instructor,” remembers Nick Hooper, Director of Facilities and Studio Services.

“His breadth of skill and attention to detail were remarkable, but it was his dedication to student learning that will be most remembered,” continues Hooper. “Everyone who worked with John benefitted from his patience and his ability to explain and demonstrate complex ideas and processes. He was a wonderful colleague, and we are all very sorry to hear of his passing.”

REMEMBERING JOHN KUISMA

John Kuisma was an artist, woodworker and designer, and his loved ones remember him as a creative force who always had a sketchbook in hand. He studied at the University of Windsor, and at OCAD U, where he graduated in 2000 with a Fine Arts degree.

Kuisma worked at OCAD U as an instructor and technician from 2004 to 2017, when he moved back to his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie and designed and built a home for his family.

In addition to running his business designing and building custom furniture and interior finishings, he worked on film productions. During the summers, he enjoyed back country camping at Lake Mijinemungshing within Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Kuisma leaves behind his wife Suvi and their two children, Satu and Elia. A teacher, mentor, father, husband, son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend, Kuisma was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Come & Go Celebration of his life at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd.) on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. Memorial donations in his name can be made to a GoFundMe to support his children’s education and support programs, or to the Sault Ste. Marie Special Olympics.

SOURCES
SooToday.com