John ...it has almost been one year since you have been gone. We all miss you. Just wanted you to know because of you and your program, my daughter is excelling in college ....Thanks John. Your legacy will live on

It's with great sadness to hear about the passing of Mr. Rusnak. When I think about my times at MSDHS he is always the first person I remember. I enjoyed the car wash fundraisers we had Chili's and the basketball games we had at his house afterwards. I remember the day that he shocked me by letting me play the Spin Doctors over the band room stereo while we studied for exams. He was a great teacher, Band Director, great person, and friend. He will be missed by many.

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of John Rusnak. He was a great musician and a great human being.

We are so sorry for your loss. John was a great friend of our family and was a tremendous supporter during our own similar loss. You have our condolences and are in our thoughts.

Our prayers are with you all. So very sorry for your loss.

Dear Rusnak Family,
     So sorry to hear of the passing of John. Our prayers are with your whole family. May God Bless All of You!    
                                                     Love Always,
                                                     -Michael A. DiNardo & Family-

Denise and family,

Mr. John Rusnak was an inspiration, mentor, teacher, amazing father and husband.  He will be missed and always remembered.  Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Class of 2000

Dear Denise and Family,
I did not know John personally, however, being a fellow music teacher I can only imagine how this loss has effected everyone he touched.  He will be missed. My prayers are with you all.
Kindest Regards,
Barbara Black, Music Teacher, Virginia Shuman Young Elementary

WOW.  The look on his face was precious when he first heard GIANT STEPS in HS.  Mez.  CHS 73

Denise
Our deepest sympathy on your unexpected loss. You have Wingate Oaks' sincere regrets. Hoping you and the girls can find peace.

Denise and Family,

Words cannot convey the sorrow our hearts feel for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May your precious memories and God's love strengthen you and give you peace.

Much love, Bill and Barb

Dear Denise, Kristin and Katie,
Please know how sad we were to hear of your family's loss. 
Always welcoming and supportive to our family throughout the educational years, please know our prayers are with you now.
May you find peace and know that you are loved.
With sincere sympathy and prayer,
Jennifer and Ashlie

Denise, I heard about your husband today, and I am so very sorry! Looking through some of the other postings, it is clear that he was treasured by many people. I pray that you and your daughters may be comforted by faith and your memories.

John Rusnak was a true inspiration and an outstanding leader.  He changed my son's life.  He will be sorely missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always.

Denise, I am so sorry for your loss. Your husband, John, was an inspiration to many and he will be sorely missed. I am praying for comfort and strength for you and your girls. Thinking of you, Denise.

Denise and family so very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved husband and father . We all met so many years ago when Katie and Tommy were in preschool together . I still volunteer at Douglas where John never failed to stop and say Hi and ask about my family and I about yours . He accomplished great things with the band that we all enjoyed . Our love to you. Kristen and Katie. Love Lil Tom and Tommy Pitts and Jen Pitts Frisk and family

John was a true musician and friend to many. He will certainly be missed. May the Lord Bless Your family. We will be in prayer for the family.

This candle will burn on for eternity as the light he brought to so many of our lives. I cannot express how much he will be missed.

Denise,
It was with great sorrow that I read about your loss of John. We hope you will find some comfort in the memories of all your beautiful years together. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.  With love to you and your family, Sue and Ric Kupchunas

Because of John, band was not a class but a family for both students and parents.  Thank you Rusnak family for sharing him with us.  We all learned so much from him!  Fondly, Andrea (class of 2005), Marissa, Alice & Richard Simon

We have enjoyed John's precise sense of humor and solid grasp of the realities (and peculiarities) of band directing. Talking and working with him has always been interesting and rewarding. In spite of his great success John valued advice, was open-minded and progressive about music and methods, and was reliably proud of his students rather than himself. That comfort level was surely inspired by a wonderful, supportive family. Thank you Kristen, Kathryn and Mrs. Rusnak.

All kids in coral springs will miss u, music lives on

Denise --

So sorry to hear of your loss.  You are in my heart and my prayers.

John was a man that loved music and loved the band world.  He gave us many great memories with his high school band, Stoneman Douglas HS.  I enjoyed my talks with him when we met.  He loved his family and his students.  You will be missed by many people.  My prayers to the Rusnak family for your great loss.

Our thoughts & prayers are with you dear, Denise, Kristen & Katie. There is no doubt that this is a shocking, tragic loss. But always feel pride & joy in knowing that your dear husband/Dad was an amazing man who made a positive difference in so many lives. For us, we will never forget that he was the catalyst to the beginning of The Special Needs Color Guard of America. He believed in what children & young adults with special needs could do. He knew they were talented, unique & special & gave them the opportunity to perform on the SFWGA circuit & the rest is history! Our son Shane loved  him as a band teacher & as a person. John Rusnak will forever be remembered as a man of great integrity who lived for his students & taught them more than just the beauty of music & being the part of an amazing band experience. John will be remembered through positive, beautiful memories that will live in our hearts, souls & minds forever. G---d Bless you all & although earth has lost a very special human being, heaven has gained a beautiful angel. With love & prayers, Ellen, Jerry, Wes, Shane & Barrie (The Kleinert/Cohn Family)

Denise, Kristen & Katie, 
Our thoughts are with you all. We are so sorry to hear about John. We have many memories of our families getting together and sharing very special times. John has clearly touched many lives ~ many have been blessed to have known him and to have been taught by him. You are all in our prayers. 
Love ~ 
Kelly • Marty • Madison • Griffin

Dear Denise and family. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God's strength bring you comfort and may your memories and love sustain you.  God bless love, Mary Ann

My thoughts are with you all.  I am so glad I got to reconnect with John via Facebook a year or so ago.

Dear Denise, Katie  and Kristen

Words cannot express our sadness for your loss. Our families have shared so many wonderful times together through the years . We watched Chris, Justin and both girls grow up to be responsible members of society 
It is so apparent from all the wishes we've seen the last few days  John helped so many children grow up the way our kids did, it's a wonderful tribute to his life
I am sad that he has left this earth. But I am sure that the music in heaven just became even more beautiful.
we love you all!!

Dear Rusnak Family,

We are deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father! John was an amazing inspiration to each and every one of our children.  A tremendous mentor, leader and friend to so many, and someone who will be remembered for lifetimes to come.

“Mr. Rusnak, we thank you for your devotion, love and guidance you provided each and every one of our children.”

We will never forget you, please rest in peace. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Love, The Crispyn Family.

We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Dear Rusnack family,

You all are in my thoughts and prayers, now and in the days to come.  I loved working with the Stoneman Douglas Band (03' - Locomotion and 04' - Sheherazade BOA Atlanta).  John was gracious to give me the opportunity.  We shared many discussions about music education and life.  We also shared many laughs.  He was one of a kind and I will miss him very much.

Bill and I are so sorry for the loss of your remarkable husband, John. He will now be directing the heavenly band and choir. Know that these next few days will be a tough going and you may feel numb, but as time passes you will have the strength to move forward with your life, as he would have wanted. Thank goodness you have family and many friends to support you.

Mr. Rusnak touched some many lives musically. He was my band director at Miramar for one year, 1989. You will be missed.

Denise, Kristen and Katie,
We are so sorry for your loss of John. We were so glad to get to know your family through softball.
Dan and Andrea Angelucci

We mourn the loss of a great band director and leader in the community.  John set the standard by which the rest of us in the band world have strived to attain.  Our prayers and thoughts are with the Rusnak family and the Douglas Band family.

Mr. Rusnak helped set the course for my future. If he hadn't given me the opportunity to play guitar in his jazz band, I probably wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today. My years in his program were my most cherished, and after graduating we regularly kept in touch and would meet every time I would visit home. I lost a close friend and mentor, but the South Florida music family has suffered an even greater loss. I will always remember him as a fearless leader, a great mentor and a true friend. RIP Mr. Rusnak and condolences to the Rusnak family.

Sincere sympathies from the Chabus family. John was a true original of the Douglas originals.

Mr. Rusnak will be sorely missed. He was an amazing teacher, and I owe most of my best high school memories to his musical leadership (Stranahan class of 1989). May he rest in peace and music, and much love to him and his family.

John Rusnak was only my band director for one year at Miramar High in the late 80's but I still remember his positive energy and enthusiasm for teaching music.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  He will be missed.

I didn't really know him. Only by him with the collaboration with my high school band. He was so nice and extremely talented. He will be remembered forever

 Dear Denise and Family,
  John was such na special person. He had so many gifts that the gave to all he met, his love of music, his dedication to his students and to his family. I am honored to have worked with him for so many years and to share many good times.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Marlene Sanders

I was lucky enough to have him as my band director in 1993 and I feel so blessed that my daughter did as well this past year.  Very sad to lose a teacher and a friend.  God bless you, Mr. Rusnak, and your beautiful family!

My condolences to the Rusnak family on your great loss. May God give you peace during this time of sorrow.
John was an outstanding band director and true educator.
He was loved by his students and respected by his peers.
I remember when I hired John to take over the program at Stranahan High School, it was in shambles. It did not take long before he had them "marching in step" and performing at the highest level.
John was a great man and will be dearly missed.
God Bless you John. Rest in peace.
Paul R. Woodall

Our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Rusnak. He has made a true impact to all of his students that traveled through the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
May his memory always be remembered as a kind, caring and above all true friend to those lives that he touched.
R.I.P.
The Bertone/Babitz family

Denise,
My thoughts are with and the girls. I am very sorry to hear about John. He has touched so many lives (as have you) and will be missed by many!

Denise,

My thoughts are with you and the girls. I am so very sorry to hear about John. He has touched so many lives (as have you) and will be missed by so many.

Mr. Rusnak was a friend and mentor to his countless students, and especially to our son, Christopher Arico, class of 2000. We will never forget Mr. Rusnak's kindness and patience toward Chris. Our sincere condolences to his loved ones.

Dear Denise and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Cindy

Denise,Ronnie,Mike and family. Ruzick called me with the news last night. I can't believe it. I am totally crushed about John. I will never forget all the good times we had together and how great it was to be a friend of his and all of you as well. I went with him to his 25 year Center High School reunion and we had the greatest time together. Call me if I can be of need and I plan to get in touch with all of you by phone. May your luck turn around the opposite way in the near future and my prayers and condolences go out to all of you. With deepest sympathy. George Michael & Jayne, Danny, Chris and 
Chloe.

Denise, I never met your husband but can only imagine the deep loss that you are experiencing. May your precious memories of your husband bring you a measure of peace at this difficult time. You and your family are in my prayers.

Saddened to hear of your loss. We knew John from 1990 when our son Dave started in the marching band and grew his fondness for the saxophone through John's encouragement. 
Greg & Anne Eickwort

John is now on an amazing journey after giving so much of himself in this life.  I hope his memories wrap you tightly and comfort you as you grieve his loss.

So sorry to hear of Mr. Rusnak's passing. His legacy will live on through the thousands of students and families lives he has touched. Thoughts and prayers of healing for the difficult days ahead.

Denise and Kristen,

So very, very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Denise, Kristen and Katie,  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  The community has lost a most special gift, and you a most treasured family member.  So many lives touched by such a special person!  My sympathies to all of you, and please know that if there is anything I can do, day or night, for any of you, I am here.  Debra Kirsch

Denise and family...so sorry, wishing you happy memories...

Denise and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to the Rusnak family.  Keep him in your hearts and please know you have many friends near to help you when needed.

To the Rusnak Family,

Our family had the pleasure of meeting and working with John as band/guard parents and our daughter as a band/guard member.  He motivated, inspired, and led the band/guard to greatness.  Please take comfort in the fact that he touched so many lives. 

With our Sincere Sympathy,

Brad, Robin & Kim Boyd

Dear Denise, Katie and Kristen,
My thoughts and  prayers are with you all. 

                                                            Kathy Udvarhely

You will always have his music in your heart and soul, and that is where he will live forever.   
God Bless.

Sending thoughts and prayer to the family, the students, and to the extended band family.  From alumni of Hibriten High Band, Lenoir, NC.

My prayers and sympathy,go out to John's family, friends, students and colleagues.

“Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.”  Rossiter Raymond

Dear Denise and Family,
We were saddened to hear of your loss. We were always impressed by & loved hearing the MSD Band at FBA. 
Our sincerest condolences,

I had Mr. Rusnak for my first two years of High School for Marching Band as well as Symphonic. He was a wonderful teacher and really cared about his students. He was also tough on us and showed us what life would really be like. He will forever be remembered and loved. He touched the lives of many students and showed them the true joy of music. As was stated before No matter where he was in the end he will always fly with the Dragons and now with the angels. Condolences to his family and I am glad to have the pleasure of knowing such a fine man. 

Stacy Link Stranahan c/o '89

Our most deepest sympathy to the Rusnak family. He will be greatly missed. The ferstens(Nina)

Our sincerest condolences and prayers go out to the family.  May God bless you and keep you during this difficult time.  The students at MSD will also be in our prayers as they have lost a great teacher, mentor and friend.  He was such an inspiration to his students.  May his legacy live on in their hearts and minds as they perform this and future seasons.

Sincere condolences to the
Rusnak Family.

I had Mr. Rusnak for three years at Stranahan for Marching and Symphonic band.   He had a way of teaching and understanding the teenage mind.  He was grestly loved and appreciated by many people.  He may have changed schools but will always be a Dragon as well as an Eagle.  He is still a flyer but now as an angel.  He touched so many lives.  Condolences to his family and thank you for sharing his life with so many.

Mr. Rusnak was new when I was in band at Stranahan.  A wonderful teacher and caring soul.  God bless all of the lives he touched.  RIP.  Bill Gray

Sir, 
Your teachings made me the man I am today. Because of your encouragement to stay in band I met my wife and now have 3 beautiful kids. Thank you for everything.

 I spent hundreds of hours with him and his cast of believers in HS. The memories are back and I can still hear the bullhorn and feel the sweat of a hot summer day of band camp. 
 His direction, devotion, courage to always fight inspired me and has helped me become who I am. Very few teachers inspired me but John made a difference every day. To me he was a leader that made us perform beyond our abilities. His lessons were taught to thousands of kids and the lessons learned from John are living in all of us. 

 Events like this make me reach inside and think of all the relationships, missions flown, and ongoing relationships in life. I truly feel blessed for having the mentors, opportunities, and failures that make up a life lived. I will never forget the bullhorn and stepladder with him standing way too high on the ladder barking orders. I offer my condolences to his family and friends and offer you a hand-salute to a job well done. 
 Thank you MR Rusnak.  SHS C/O 90

Our family sends our deepest condolences and prayers to your family. He was an amazing man that touched the lives of many.

So very sorry to hear this news.  My daughter was Dazzler captain second year of the original band, Marching Eagles.  My son and I were both band parents and enjoyed chaperoning the trips to competition. John was only 38 years old and his love of music and dedication to perfection came through....he really cared.  Rest in God's peace, Mr. Rusnak.  You were a good man

My heartfelt condolences to the entire family! Few have touched so many young lives as he. His legacy will live on for many many generations!

Dear Rusnak Family , 
We cannot believe this ! John and I talked often about music, his man cave and his killer stereo in his VW. 
My daughter was taught to do her very best under his wing. He gave my daughter self esteem and courage. Because of John,  Jamie is a confident young woman. Jamie is flag section leader this year at Stoneman. 

John...we will miss you but never forget you. The family spoke of you  over dinner this evening . You are still in our hearts.

Peace to you . We thank you for your strength, courage,  your love and care for all your kids. We thank you for your lifetime of devotion to our children. 

Our deepest condolences , 

The Weller Family 

Brian, Janet, Bridget & Jamie

Dear Rusnak family, 

          Mr. Rusnak was an influential man on many young lives. I am honored to have been a part of his collaboration to music and music education in South Florida and beyond. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will be celebrated for many, many years to come!

My utmost gratitude and sincerest condolences,

Charlie Arbelaez

Denise and family,
We were sorry sorry to hear the news about John. Are prayers and thoughts are with you.
Beth and Don Saunders (Spencer TN)

My prayers and deepest sympathy to the Rusnak family. We all hope to touch another's life and to leave a legacy when we leave this Earth. Mr. Rusnak has done both numerous times. He has shaped so many young lives and infected so many with the passion of music.  I feel so fortunate to have known this great man and proud to be able to say that my daughter was one of his students. RIP Mr. Rusnak. We love you and will miss you dearly. MSD Pride

My pry are with your family my god watch you now god bless

A lifetime of memories is what Mr.Rusnak has left as his legacy. He will be missed  deeply. My condolences to his family. I know how hard this must be for you all. Have peace in knowing that because of John, there are thousands of kids across this country that are better adults simply for the fact that we spent 4 years under his wing. His life and legacy will never be forgotten. MSD PRIDE FOREVER!

Dear Denise and family,               Our prayers and thoughts are with you all as you go through this very difficult time.  We had 3 children go through the MSD band program for a total of 11 consecutive years.  Ashley, PJ, and Jordan learned so much from Mr. Rusnak.  We will truly miss him, however, he will be in our hearts forever!!!                     Love,                                            The Kager Family. Xoxo

I only knew him for at least a year, but from the year's worth of experience that he has granted me with the rest of the Eagle Regiment freshmen, I saw how our phrase "MSD Pride" came into play. Although we all strive to win, it's the experience and passion that counts. Mr. Rusnak has taught me a major lesson in life that I will never forget. Nobody in the world will forget him, whether it's his first alumni, or his current band students. To the Eagle Regiment members reading this: All we can do as a family, is to remember and apply the four questions he taught us, carry forth Mr. Rusnak's legacy, and make him the proudest he's ever been (because from Heaven, he can see anyone, and anything). Rest in paradise, Mr. Rusnak. MSD Pride!

Sorry to hear about Mr. Rusnak. He will be truly missed. My prayers are with Rusnak family during this time of sorrow.  Thank you for times at Stranahan High School Band where he made us a Superior Marching band during band contest.  SHS, c/o 88

My deepest sympathies to the Rusnak family. He was a wonderful man and did so much for all of his students. He has touched so many lives and we are all better for having known him.

Very sad to hear the news of his passing. He was my teacher, and truly my first mentor at Stranahan High School ('86-'90). His passion was infectious. He inspired me with music in a way that carried way beyond my high school years. My sincerest sympathies for the Rusnak family.

He was a true inspiration and he will be missed deeply! MSD will never be the same. Our deepest condolences to the Rusnak family. This is extremely sad and such a loss for all!

My childhood....While many years ago....is somewhat of a blur in many instances. I have had a few teachers that have made an impact and helped me to become the man I am today.  I am proud to say right at the top if that small list of teachers I can remember their names is definitely Mr Rusnak!! As a matter of fact...not too long ago, I was DJING a sweet 16 at a hotel in plantation and they had a teenage Jazz band that was incredible.  When the girl started talking she mentioned Mr Rusnak and my ears perked up and I said THEE Mr Rusnak?  And they thought it was great that I at 44 years old had their teacher when I was just a bit older than them!!! How cool!
Rip...... teach them some Music where your going Mr R!!  :-)

My deepest sympathy to the Rusnak Family.  He was very inspiring and will be deeply missed~  Stacey SHS C/O '89 Flag Corps.

A sad day by all for your family. The Douglas family will never be the same without the leader of the pack. Mr. Rusnack was loved by all and took everyone of our children into his heart as well as him into theirs. Hopefully you saw just a tip of the love last night at the candlelighting ceremony at the school. He is a legacy that will be carried on by each child that had the opportunity to know him. He will be missed by all.

John Rusnak was my band director at Stranahan High School in the late 80's. I joined Flag Corp in 1986, became a Dragonette in 87 & was the co-captain of the drill/flag team in 89. My time with Mr Rusnak was extremely special to me & his passing has taken a piece of my childhood with him. I forged many important relationships under his band room roof, who I am still in contact with today 25 years later. Because of his passion as a teacher-I can still feel the rush of excitement when watching marching bands. I remember the bus rides, the cheers & drum cadences in the bleachers, hot sweat polyester uniforms orange&blue, bloomer & boot check in's, Pizza Hut, Lockhart Stadium & more. The feeling that washes over you as you wait to start performing at State Contests, getting the chance to perform at a Miami Dolphins game, marching in the Fort Laud Beach parade & so many more wonderful memories. Band Camp gets its own mention-oh the many hours in the hot FL sun, twirling flags while learning marching formations to Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie. Mr. Rusnak dealing with 100 plus over-heated teenagers-was amazing. You ARE an amazing man, Mr. Rusnak. I will always cherish our time together. I will always remember you ROCKING OUT TO "WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE" by Guns-N-Roses in your office.

Thank you for being a part of my life  AILEEN LIPTAK 
Class of 89' Stranahan High School

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Michael Rusnak

2 octobre 1955 – 6 août 2014

Kraeer Funeral Home & Cremation Center

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