Bruce Tuinier

With profound sadness, we share that Bruce Tuinier passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at the age of 70 in Palm Harbor, Florida. 

Bruce is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years JoAnn and their collie mix Ginger; his daughter Dana Tuinier, her husband Chad Brewster, and their mutts Louise and Sally; his stepdaughter Melissa Burgan and her husband Terry Page, and their rescue terrier Fred; stepdaughter Rachel Franklin, her husband Corey, and their children Lucy and Josie. He was preceded in death by his father John, his mother Anna, and his sister Patricia Nelson. 

Bruce was born March 24th,1953, in Kalamazoo, MI. The middle of five children, he shared his childhood with his sisters Patricia, Carolyn, Janis, and Marcia. He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1971 and went on to Calvin College and then Loyola University, where he received his MA in Sociology. 

He started working at a young age and had many jobs from painting to working in Special Education in Chicago, but eventually made his career as a financial advisor in Holland, Grand Rapids, and Washington, D.C. His real passion was in his free time—he rarely wanted to waste a day with good weather, especially in Michigan. Bruce loved boating, golfing, tennis, and taking a slow walk down to the water. He felt most at home on the water, watching the sunset. 

Bruce loved spending time outside working with his hands on his houses and yards, he was most at home with a project to tackle, whether it was re-tiling a kitchen or painting a mural. It might have taken him months to complete but the results were always memorable. He also loved cars and would jump at the chance to give you a ride in one of his finds like his sky blue ’67 Ford Galaxie. Bruce was a gentle soul who loved animals. He had many fine furry companions in his life and could always be counted on to give the dog in the room attention. 

In 2017, Bruce and JoAnn relocated to Crystal Beach, FL to spend their retirement as “beach bums”. Though illnesses had other plans, the sunshine kept Bruce warm until his last days.

He was uncommonly kind and friendly, with a great sense of humor. He was happy, extremely creative, and an idealist even on the grayest days. Bruce made it look easy to enjoy the simplest parts of life. 

A memorial is planned for May 2024, in Holland, where Bruce will be returned to his beloved Lake Michigan.