John Cuffe

Type of Donation:             Organ donor

Age and Location:             Age 53 – Hillsdale, NJ

Donation Date:                  December 16, 2017

Sponsor:                               Honored by Dignity Memorial Providers of New Jersey

JOHN’S STORY

John Cuffe was known to everyone as “Johnny”. He was born on February 3, 1964 and raised in Hillsdale, New Jersey. Johnny was loved by everyone. His smile and infectious laugh would brighten a room. When he decided to become an organ donor, it came as no surprise to those who knew him best. That’s the type of person he was – kind, compassionate, hardworking, but most of all, generous. Johnny would do anything for anyone, whatever was asked of him. He never gave it a second thought and did not want any acknowledgement.

Johnny worked as a union sheet metal worker and made an impression on everyone he worked with. His work ethic, knowledge and people skills were his greatest assets on the job site.

Johnny and and his wife, Donna, were married on October 15, 2005 after 11 years of dating. They were best friends and did everything together. He was her whole world, her rock. Johnny also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, but most of all his nieces and nephews. He was their favorite uncle and each of them knew how much Uncle Johnny loved them.

Johnny also enjoyed golfing and listening to the Grateful Dead. Johnny died suddenly on December 16, 2017 at the age of 53, from cardiac arrest at home with his wife. “When NJ Sharing Network contacted me within hours of his death,” Donna says, “I thought, leave it to Johnny to give an everlasting gift to someone around the holidays. It was not until after Johnny’s death that I truly realized the importance of organ donation. I have since become an organ donor and have become involved with the NJ Sharing Network. I recently had the privilege of participating in the NJ Sharing network 5K in New Providence New Jersey, walking for ‘Team Johnny’. It was a wonderfully rewarding experience filled with heartfelt emotions.”

Although Johnny’s death has left his family with a hole in their hearts, it brings them comfort knowing his decision has saved and improved multiple lives. His memory will live on forever…