Worcester - Osmo J. "Ozzie" Tuiskula, 70, of Worcester, died Tuesday, August 3, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. He leaves his loving daughter Jennifer Tuiskula of Oakham who attends Johnson and Wales University; two brothers, Warren and his wife Janet and Wayne and his wife Amy; two sisters, Anna Pynnonen and Carol Jenkins and her husband Don; and nieces and nephews. He also leaves his best friends Tom, Dick, and Paul; and his cat, Chanel. He is predeceased by his daughter Ashley, who died in 2006; his son Dennis, who died in 1986; two brothers, Ronald and Wesley; a brother-in-law and good friend, Bill Pynnonen, and a special niece, Sandy (Pynnonen) Yearicks.
Ozzie was born in Worcester, son of the late Osmo U. and Elvira (Rajala) Tuiskula. He graduated from Boys’ Trade High, where he studied printing, and he attended Worcester Junior College. He served four years in the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he attended radar repair school at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. Following discharge from the Air Force, Ozzie worked for 20 years at the former Heffernan Press. Subsequently, he worked for 18 years for the City of Worcester DPW, where he did traffic signal repair.
Ozzie coached Worcester girls youth soccer for many years. He was active in Parents Without Partners. In recent years he has promoted dances and singles events in Worcester County, including, most recently, “Dance Worcester”.
Ozzie was outgoing and friendly, and will be remembered for his good sense of humor, endless jokes, and for his ability to bring people together. He had many friends and many varied interests - including dancing, hiking, bicycling, the beach, camping, and spending time with friends. More than 350 friends and relatives recently joined Ozzie to celebrate his 70th birthday.
Calling hours will be held Friday, August 6, from 5-8 p.m., at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street. The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 7, at 9:30 a.m. at the Spencer First Congregational Church, 207 Main Street, Spencer. (Go directly to the church.) Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashley Tuiskula Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Country Bank for Savings – any branch.
For directions and to leave a message in Ozzie's on-line condolence book, please click link below.