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John Rusinko Obituary
(3/1/25 - 10/23/13)
John Rusinko was a family man, whose family extended to friends, neighbors, colleagues, students, players, acquaintances and community members, all of whom he felt proud to be connected with during his lifetime. John played professional basketball for the American Basketball League; earned a BS from Mansfield University and an MS from Elmira College; and taught at Dr. Nathan Cohen Elementary School and Thomas A. Edison High School (Elmira Heights), where he also coached varsity basketball. In addition to spending time with family and teaching, John looked forward to special times golfing with the crew at the Mark Twain, cheering hockey at the Elmira College Domes, vegetable gardening and daily walks with family and friends.
The Rusinko family extends special gratitude to The Homestead at Soldiers & Sailors Hospital (Penn Yan, NY), Bethany Village (Horseheads, NY), Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital (Elmira), Arnot Medical Services Ivy II Internal Medicine (Elmira) and all medical offices who took extraordinary care of John during his lifetime in Elmira and most recently in Penn Yan.
John is predeceased by sisters Anna Costa, Mary Rusinko and Sue Rusinko, and is survived by wife Mary Lyn (Erwin) Rusinko, son Michael (Carol) Rusinko, daughter Lynne Rusinko (Joe Caparulo), sister Helen (Alfred) Schutz, nieces Johanna (Joseph) Asher, Mary Ellen Gutknecht and Susan (Steven) Warner, nephews Wayne (Melanie) Schutz and John Costa, as well as grand-nieces Annie Asher, Anna Gutknecht, Kathleen Warner, Michelle Warner, and grand-nephews Benjamin Asher, Elliot Asher, Alfred Gutknecht and Andrew Gutknecht.
Calling Hours: Monday, October 28; 3-6pm at McInerny's Funeral Home (502 W. Water Street, Elmira)
Funeral Service followed by Burial: Tuesday, October 29; Noon at Trinity Episcopal Church (304 N. Main Street, Elmira)
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Following Funeral Service
Following the Funeral, friends may choose to attend the burial or partake of a light reception at Trinity until the family returns from the interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Chemung County SPCA, Elmira City Animal Shelter, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, JDRF, National Kidney Foundation or American Cancer Society. Thank you.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Rusinko
Sponsored by John's Family.
Scott Kroczynski
April 20, 2014
Mike and Family - for some reason, until today I was unaware of Coach Rusinko's passing. Mr. Rusinko was my basketball coach briefly in high school. Large in stature, but even larger in class, even back then I knew I was in the presence of an extraordinary gentleman. Strong yet easy with praise, he knew as did all of us that he was doing more than just coaching basketball. Built like a pillar, physically and morally. Used two words more than any other while on the court: "...float it!" I can so hear his booming voice! It was nice to know you Coach. You made a lasting impression on me, and like my own father taught me a bit about respect and admiration. All the best to the Rusinko Family in this rather belated message. God Bless.
Jerry Rusinko
November 4, 2013
To the Rusinko family, so sorry to hear of your loss. I came across his obit while doing some family research. For some time, I wanted to contact John just to see if there was a distant family connection. Now I'll never have that chance.
Robert Shull
October 31, 2013
To the Rusinko family - I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I will always have fond memories of Coach Rusinko - a great coach and even greater family man.
Don Cass
October 30, 2013
Dear Mike and Carol,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our sincerest sympathy goes out to you.
Don and Mary Rose Cass
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Bonnie Castillo
October 29, 2013
Sorry for your loss your parents were customers of mine at Diamond Cleaners. He will be missed.
Joe and Nancy Palmisano
October 29, 2013
Dear Mike and Carol,
Sending our deepest sympathies. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Most sincerely,
Joe and Nancy
Ron Cilensek
October 29, 2013
Mary and Rusinko family,
Sorry to hear about John's passing. I shall always remember my basketball career at Edison as one of John's "boys" and the impact John had on my development in life. His coaching and mentoring taught us that hard work and discipline are fundamental to achieving our goals in life. I shall always remember him.
Shiela Stahle
October 28, 2013
Dear Lynne.....so sorry to hear the loss of your dad...I still remember him and your mom and you coming to Light's for Breakfast and lunch...you guys were always so kind to me...im sending all my Prayers to you and all your Family...God Bless....!!!
Sue Zimmerman-Hults
October 28, 2013
So sorry for your loss, He was a great teacher , I had him for drivers ed when I was at Edison , and remember him from Cohen school at gym time. Prayers and thoughts for your family .
Robert & Donna Wood
October 28, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Dan and Laine Pufnock
October 28, 2013
Mike and Carol: Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Our prayers are with you this week.
Dan and Laine Pufnock
Sherry Gibbon
October 28, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. To my classmates he will always be "Coach." He touched the lives of so many people. He will be remembered with smiles and many, many stories. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Paul Titus
October 28, 2013
To Rusinko family: know that those who came into contact with "Coach Rusinko" hold him in the highest regard...a true gentleman. Rest in peace, coach. I am a former basketball official who had the honor and pleasure of working several of coach's games.
Alexis Speen-Bartsch
October 28, 2013
Many, many fond memories of Coach Rusinko! What a great man, who was dedicated to his family and those he coached. He was my driver's ed teacher one summer, was even able to teach me how to drive! Never could have done it without him! And I'm sure my parents appreciated it as well! You don't come across men like coach much anymore. He was the epitome of a gentlemen. To his family, please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. My prayers are with you at this time. Thanks for the memories Coach!!!
Sheila (Wheet) Dorn
October 28, 2013
To the entire Rusinko family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He was a great person all the way around and had an impact on so many. My heartfelt sympathy to your entire family. The world needs more people like him.
James Lyden
October 27, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Rusinko family. Great coach.....greater man.
October 27, 2013
sorry for your loss,he was a great guy
Rick Beck
October 27, 2013
To the Rusinko Family, I was so saddened to hear of Coaches passing. He taught me so much about B. ball and life that words can not describe. He made a great impact on my life as well as hundreds of others. May all of the good memories you have of coach help you through this .
October 27, 2013
Sympathy to your family from a former neighbor in Troy, Charlotte Morgan
Richard Hewitt
October 27, 2013
Rusinko Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. John was a great teacher and coach,everyone that was touched in life by this man is now a better person.He will be missed but never forgotten. God bless
Annemarie Baker
October 27, 2013
John will be missed. I enjoyed caring for him in the few months at Bethany. I pray Mary will be ok now, but Lynne you will be your mom's saving grace. If you need anything with your mom let me know!
Beryl Teague
October 26, 2013
Mike and Carol,
I am so sorry for your lose, my prayers
to you and your family during this difficult time.
Mary DeWitt Straub
October 26, 2013
My sympathy to the Rusinko family from a former Troy High School student.
Bill Bryan
October 26, 2013
Although I never had the chance to actually play for him, I truly admired Coach as a man and professional.
October 26, 2013
To the Rusinko Family,
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our hearts grant immortality
to those we love
in memory.
The Kennedys
Carol,Larry, Heather, Heath and Jared
Felicia and Jake Dvornicky
October 26, 2013
Lynn, Jake and I are so sorry and pray that Jesus will hold your Dad, you, and your family in his arms forever.
PAM GLEOCKNER GIALANELLA
October 26, 2013
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS HE A GREAT GUY GREAT TEACHER!!!
Theresa Shull
October 26, 2013
I'm sending all my Thoughts and Prayers to all of the Rusinko Family. John was such a wonderful person and coach. RIP, John. Theresa Shull
Dan Atkinson
October 26, 2013
Mary,Lynne,Mikey and family,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband and father. He was a huge influence in the decisions that I made in my life which include becoming a teacher and basketball coach. I always admired him for his integrity and his great sense of humor. As I think of him now I can feel that big strong hand of his squeezing my shoulder making sure that I understood his point and that I do the right thing. God bless him.
Lucie Kahn
October 26, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Rusinko family. John was a joy to teach with.
Linda Beach Yusko
October 26, 2013
Sincere sympathy to the Rusinko family. Mr. Rusinko taught me how to drive in Driver's Ed. I have always remembered that summer fondly and what a kind, patient teacher he was. I have been thinking of him recently, as I teach my own son to drive. God's peace be with you at this sad time. Rest In Peace, sir.
Gina (Eichorn) Cowles
October 26, 2013
Sorry for your loss. He was a good teacher and friend. Best class I had with him was driver's ed. R.I.P Mr. Rusinko
Stacy Murphy-Evans
October 26, 2013
I am very sadden by the news of Mr. Rusinko. He was such a great teacher and mentor. He always took the time for all of his students... I can see him today standing in the halls of TAE with a big smile on his face...That smile I will remember forever. My prayers go out to the whole Rusinko family.
Joette McCawley
October 26, 2013
Lynne, Mary and family, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He always made me laugh. Praying for each of you.
Everett Kaufman
October 26, 2013
John was always a fine gentleman and caring person. I always enjoyed playing golf with John when we taught together at Cohen School. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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