Obituary
John Royce Cushman
John Royce Cushman, 67, of La Crescent, MN, and formerly of Baraboo, WI, passed away with his loving family and friends by his side on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Mayo Health System in La Crosse. He was born on March 8, 1947 to Royce and Shirley (Markley) Cushman in Baraboo, WI. He married Amy Sylvester July 17, 1999.
John became the Head of Human Resources at Trane Company where he worked for 15 years. He then became Vice President of Operations at Skipperliner for 18 years. In recent years, he was very proud of owning and operating Engraved Concrete Designs.
John was known for his “great big bear hugs”, and his genuine real-life point-of-view on life’s adventures. He was everybody’s hero inside and out of the family. John had a great sense of humor and shared it. He was always bigger than any room he was ever in.
John enjoyed motorcycles, camping, cars, and wood working. But more than anything it was people that John enjoyed the most.
John is survived by his wife, Amy; daughter, Cortney Cushman; grandsons, Lucas and Bryce Freng; sister, Sandra (James) Cushman- Steinbrecher, brother David (Kris) Cushman; nieces, Gretchen, Julie, Allison, and Meghan; step-children, Anne and Phillip; and many dear friends.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Keri Freng; and his parents.
The family would like to thank the compassionate care given by the staff of Mayo Health System.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church, 410 Main St., Onalaska. Pastor Jason Stanton will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the service at the church on Friday. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be considered to the University of Wisconsin-Madison McPherson Eye Research Institute or the American Cancer Society.
Dear Cushman Family
I was so sorry to learn of Johns passing. We were longtime classmates in Baraboo and played football together for the T-Birds. I well remember how hard it was to tackle John and his thunderous blocks during our one-on-one blocking drills. Please accept my deepest condolences. God Bless you all and farewell John. We will see each other again someday.
/\/\ichael Kuwitzky
Dear Amy, Cortney and John’s other family members: I was very sad to hear of John’s death this past Monday just after I and others from our class were in Baraboo for our 50th high school reunion last weekend. While I had not seen John for almost 50 years, my memories of his earnestness, friendship and good humour still vividly shine though. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your huge loss, and I hope that your good memories of him provide you with some measure of comfort at this time and in the future.