A memorial sprang up in front of the Clarke Musuem soon after Eureka resident John Tutuska died on Sunday. The endearing, highly visible Old Town character could often be seen shirtless and deep in meditation in front of the museum. He was 67.
Update, Oct. 16: For those who might have missed this in the comments section below, Tutuska’s friends are organizing a memorial at 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at Clarke Plaza, on E street right across from the museum.
Here is what the Journal’s Heidi Walters wrote when she declared him “Best Old Town Sunbather” in our 2010 Best Of Humboldt issue:
The sun comes out — when it comes out, oh, praise the sun! — and out comes John Tutuska. Skinny legs in baggy jeans cinched tight. Sandaled feet smooth-brown. Bare torso, creased arms and serene face baked to madrone. Tutuska sits in a chair or stands beside it — a dark, still exclamation against the white, white, eye-shattering white wall of the Clarke Museum. Ah, but he does not worship the sun. He is not here to work on his tan.
“My primary purpose is to meditate,” says the gentle Tutuska. “The sun serves as a jump start to the light within.”
You understand, don’t you? The light glowing in the closed eyelids?
“And once you find the light within, that’s all you have to do. That’s where your social questions get answered. That’s where all your questions get answered. And that’s a place of true healing.”
But why this place, this wall? Well, says he, when the wind is blowing off the water, this is the warmest spot.
Shop owners and workers in Old Town remembered Tutuska fondly on Monday, telling stories of his thoughtfulness and spirit. His cremation is being handled by Humboldt Cremation and Funeral Service.
This article appears in Bag by Bag.
He left his love with many. A very caring and thoughtful soul. May he rest in peace.
I lived in Old Town for years and he was a fixture. Nice and pleasant guy. Always a hello. Our parking space during the years was right next to John’s “spot”. So we saw him often. Someone said he was a boxer and he used to run and shadow box years ago. Sad to hear he’s gone.
Goodbye old friend
I am so sorry to hear this, he really was an enlightened and peaceful man.
we will miss you john ~ thank you for sharing your own personal sunlight with us.
John always made sense when nothing else did. Miss you.
John was truly an awesome human, The employees of the Co-op looked forward to his daily visits. He always shared a smile and a good word. Over the years,, my family got to know him and enjoyed his presence among us. He will be missed by the community and by us. He was a friend to all. Rest in the Light, John.
Sad news. He really had a rare presence. Seemed so calm kind and at ease. Wish I would have chatted with him more. Rest in the light dear man.
so sorry to hear this.
Memorial for John will be held at Clark Plaza November 2, at 11:00. Lucy, Russell and I will miss you.
He was my next door neighbor. I will miss our discussions about the weather. He was beloved by so many.
I always thought that I would see you again.
Thank you John for all the wonderful greetings and smiles of wonder.
.
I lived across the street from him when he moved in. We used to wave at each other every morning. I’d be working on my latest manuscript, look out the window and see him at his table. He will be missed.
John was a credit to the populace of Eureka.
John introduced me to Old Town Eureka. We met for the first time in the Mercantile on E Street in 1993. He loved and mentored so many of us. Thank you, John, for all the walks and talks and for all the love and forgiveness a heart can bear.
Dear John, you were my mentor, my spiritual guide and a wonderful friend. I’m so greatful for the time we had together, especially the the last several weeks. I’ll see you soon.
Love Dusty~
A true loss of a thoughtful person. He was a good man, I will miss him. RIP.
He was all about love, which he gave away endlessly to EVERYONE!
I am so sorry I missed the opportunity to know this man with a heart of gold. I am sorry to everyone for your loss of your special friend.
Yes the house my light filled is gone, but my light continues deep down within you. Look for me there (It is only there that it may be found). My light is in us all. When all you see is the light, you and me will be “I”.
John, thank you for your console and company in my (and J’s) time of need. I hope you’ve found your inner peace and rest bathed in warm sunlight.
I am genuinely sad to hear of your passing, until forever…
Thank you to everyone that cared for my father during his las few weeks. Special thanks to Ginny, Dusty, Russell and St.Joseph Hospital. My Dad was a wanderer who stumbled upon Eureka 20 years ago and never left. He found his place and his people and he loved you all very much. He had been preparing for his transition for some time and I know he is at peace. We love you dad. and….The light in us recognizes the light in you
My brother Johnny became a wanderer at a very young age. I saw him as a lonely lost soul. My heart would ache for him and I prayed that he would find inner peace somewhere….Well he did, in Eureka. May your inner light take you home. Love you John, glad I got to visit you before you left.
my sweet friend, you have cast off this skin and now nothing separates you from the light you always sought.. thank you for sharing your solid presence and unconditional love with me. thank you for always reminding me that the sun blazes within. I will meet you in the still point!
John was part of the soul of Eureka, he
spread love where ever he walked. I was
honored to have called him a friend, he would stop by the court house market every day during my shift and we would debate
religion and herbs. I will miss him dearly…
I lived in Eureka for 4 years and walked old town often as a homeless man and I would always say HOWDY! to him and he was always so friendly god bless your gentle soul.
John was always a kind and gentle spirit, I worked with him many years ago, he was one of the nicest people I have ever worked with, a wonderful human being. R.I.P. John
John – you were always seeking a better world – may you find that now… Blessings to your family and the many people who loved you here.
On Friday, 10/12/12, when last we met, I could no longer distract John from his discomfort with talk of the Giants fate in the baseball season, but when I told him I loved him, his eyes cleared and he said, “I love you too man”. We shared many an afternoon along the museum wall as he greeted all and offered a word of recognition as we glimpsed our own light in those we met. I believe he would say,”If you saw what I did and appreciated it, do likewise, and pass it on. Our love for everone all the time, forever, will allow all of us to be home together. No one must be left outside our love. The answer is to: FORGIVE”.
John was a regular fixture at the herb shop since I first opened my doors in 1998, coming in several times a week for herbs, a cup of tea, and to share his observations about the beauty of the world. We gave away hundreds of his buttons that he’d drop off for free, affirming “The Light in Me Recognizes the Light in You.” And what a light bringer he was! So many lives touched and blessed to have known him. We’ll miss you very much, Sweet John ~ you’re one of the kindest men we’ve ever known, and we love you.
I knew John since he showed up in Old Town. Didn’t get many chances to talk with him the last several years, but I remember him as being a kind, gentle person, as nice as anyone could be. It was good to know him. Goodbye good friend, good person. Some of the light has left Old Town.
Found out about this Monday afternoon. Met John when he landed in Eureka decades ago. A man of many smiles, few scowls. He listened to, and helped, those less fortunate, as he searched for the true light. My fondest memory will be John and Wendy (dog) walking around town. Requiescat in pace.
Namaste, dear John.
I knew John for a lot of years, though I left Eureka a few years ago i still get home now and then and always went to Old town to try to see him. He was one of the good guys.
Old Town won’t be the same without you. You were a kind and gentle presence here and I’m sure you still are wherever you are getting your sun now.
So, John, was it time to go? I wish we might have had a little more notice. We could have planned for a last get-together dinner, or at least planned a meeting to have a little tea, along with a chat.
I know that hundreds of people know you. And you have ridden the winds, and shared tales of the experience with us. And you will be remembered, John, for who you were, and what you did.
So, at this time, I wish you the Glory of Peace, Forgiveness, and Happiness, forever. Farewell, John. Until we see you again.
My daily walks to the post office and courthouse would take me past John at “his spot”. He always had a smile and a greeting for me. Seeing him always put a smile on my face.
john had real strength-couple yrs ago a guy was yelling across the block at his gal–threats–john went over and just sat next to the weeping gal –in a minute or 2 the guy just shut up and walked away–he really stood for peace–rest in peace bro!
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a “fixture” and yet not fixed or static in any way, a reminder that goodness has many shapes and kindness and calm have value.
Blessings on your journey into the Light!
GODSPEED… ty for being there for me … im glad your my angel… 🙂
Every time I saw John at his “spot” I couldn’t help but smile, and it’s clear he had the same effect on others.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson.
John, you set the example, Peace, Love and Forgiveness. The light in us recognized the light in you also. We will carry on with you forever in our hearts. 🙂
I knew him briefly and saw him often around town and in his spot in the sun in Old Town Eureka. He had a good heart. R.I.P. John
You told me once that when you were young you thought God was just a gimmick to keep the suckers in line. Funny how our experiences can change us. I was waiting for you to return my call. Now I know. I’ll miss our walks and talks, and the hurried way you would talk when you wanted me to see things your way. I hope your faith in God has been realized in the best possible of ways. Come back in a dream and convince me of God’s love. You were always a champ at that.
This man wass my Old Town buddy for many years as I worked near his residence and sitting places. I was a Public Health Nurse and we would often chat at Los Bagels. HIs banner in his window for years said one word. Forgive. He was a poet, a scholar, a writer, a philisophical guy, beloved by most who met him. We were both upset when we no longer could meet for lunch at Kyoto’s, as they stopped doing lunchs. I am sorry I will never see him again. I hope his soul is at peace. I will miss him! Rachel
You’ll be missed John. You hold a special place in my heart 🙁
In the dark tonight, a candle burned in the window across from your dimmed home.
“The best teachers teach more
than they know. By their deaths
they teach most. They lead us beyond
what we know, and what they knew.”
~Wendell Berry
Oh man, there goes that corner of Old Town. Everyday just about we’d greet each other, touching for a moment each other’s heart. We’d laugh about our different approaches to meditation, I loved your simple proclamation: The Light Within…
Miss you, brother.
John’s presence “in the sun” would always bring me to a higher place. We had many discussions about gratitude, forgiveness, love and the light. A number of years ago he smilingly gave me one of those very special pins: The Light in Me Recognizes the Light in You! Namaste, John and you have well earned your place “in the Light”!
Chris and Elvira, Your Dad meant a lot to so many people. He touched the lives of many, near and far. A person can make a difference in the lives of many. We often don’t realize our affect on others, But John knew. He was kind, a teacher, a friend, a constant companion to Lucy. His chair will never be filled. I am glad I knew him. The light in me recognizes the light in you.
I first met John in Venice Beach in 1980. We lost touch for several years and then ran into each other in Old Town sometime in ’91 or ’92. He was still the same kind man, still had a dog who followed him everywhere, still beloved by so many. He leaves a hole in my history and a pang in my heart.
Thanks Street Prophet John for how you affected me. You affirmed “A Course In Miracles” and the writings of Joel S. Goldsmith. I remember how you were absorbed for weeks in lesson 181 in “A Course In Miracles” : ‘I trust my brothers, who are one with me.’ I think of a quote from Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” I hope to see you in Heaven, John. Thanks for being who you were.
Dear (Jersey) John, To a good soul with an exceptional heart, who always tried to make his corner of this earth, a little better than it was before. Always willing to listen and share a word with his fellow travelers, he offered us his eternal hope that despite the pain of the present, this too, shall pass. Godspeed, dear friend.
Rest in Peace Brother.
‘beyond the field of right and wrong, there is a field, i will meet you there”
thankyou for our beloved son, christopher.
thankyou, eurekans for providing a home
for my gypsy….
I am so touched to see all the lives that John has touched and the feelings of love and caring his presence in Old Town evoked. Ours was a long and varied friendship since we met in 1991. Romance first, then a mutual interest in the Course in Miracles, Unity and other spiritual programs kept us “tugging each others shirttails” as he used to say. We shared many meals and walks and the love of two cats and Wendy. I have been bringing one of the cats, Mommie, for visitation over the last few years since I moved to LA. These visits I will miss. Yes, dear man, I learned much from you and will miss the comfort you could bring to me in difficult times. I know you have merged with the light and are happy, whole and complete, truly not a body and truly free.
And North Coast Journal: He would have loved to be called the Meditator or Meditating Sunbather, He believed we all need meditation as much as we need the sun.
I knew John for a long time, two decades or so, we talked boxing, life, Hungary, rain, fog, booze, NYC, everything; I’d leave for years and move back…and he’d still be here. I moved away 6-7 times and he was always here, smiling asking about the people we knew. In spring we may be moving to Russia for a very long time, I told John a few weeks ago “Ill see you when I get back”. Life is strange, two days before he died, we met a band from Hungary and I told them about John and looked for him after and wondered where he went. I’ll miss you, John. You touched me more than most ..and Ive known many. Be well
I’ve been a personal friend of John’s for nearly 20 years. He demonstrated that we are all truly light and love. Although his physical presence is no longer with us, his song continues.
John was indeed a gentle, kind and thoughtful soul. I remember talking to him while he was walking with Wendy or at the Arcata Farmers’ Market, and he always inquired after the well-being of others. I also remember that he had a hand-lettered sign in the window of his apartment that said said simply, “Forgive. When I asked what he was referring to, he replied, “Well, that’s the key to everything, isn’t it?”
Dear John, always so good to me. I remember him well for his deep sense of the “spirit within”, his gentle smile, smiling eyes with weathered crinkles, and willingness to share that smile to all. Thank you for touching my life John. I know you are smiling still on your beloved Old Town!
I thought of John, and still do, every time that I pass by Morris Graves Museum… I remember fondly the retreat that we both attended with Ken Meece’s Centering Prayer Gorup at Morris Graves Ranch in Loleta….. John was a wonderful enlightened human being who loved people generously and deeply… we will miss you.
Not sure why his memory is so strong right now after all this time. I missed saying goodbye and the memorial, not strong enough, felt I would crumble. He always used to say “time off for good behavior” when someone died too soon! Good, glad you got your time reduced John, but you are missed!