Deputy Chief John Kooistra

WINDHAM – John L. Kooistra, 56, passed away on January 5, 2026 following a spirited battle with cancer. He was the son of David Kooistra and the late Jan Kooistra and spent his early years in New Portland, Maine and New York City. He later moved to Portland and graduated from Cheverus High School in 1987.

John dedicated his life to public service. As a young paramedic, he worked for United Ambulance and B & L Ambulance. He then began his career with the City of Portland Fire Department where he served for 29 years as a paramedic firefighter, many of those in collaboration with the Portland Police Department Special Response Team. He retired from the City of Portland in January 2019 at the rank of Lieutenant. In February 2019, he began serving as the Deputy Chief – EMS/Training for the Town of Windham Fire Department where he worked to ensure quality, compassionate and modern emergency medical care for his community.

Throughout his more than 32 years in public safety, John provided training and education to hundreds of EMS clinicians, law enforcement officers, fire fighters and others in public service and health care around the world. He was especially passionate about tactical medicine, operational K9 care, infection control, and community education, care and outreach.

John had an infectious smile and incredible sense of humor. He was an eternal optimist and deeply grateful for his family and friends. Outside of his public service, John was obsessed with restoring classic Land Rovers. He also enjoyed SCUBA diving, travel and ballroom dancing. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

John was predeceased by his mother, Jan Kooistra of New Portland. He is survived by his wife, Angela (Blodgett) Kooistra; his son, Ethan Law and granddaughter Evette Murray; his father David Kooistra of North Anson; and his sister Millay Stevens and niece Freya Buxton of Sydney, Australia.

A Memorial Service in honor of Deputy Chief John Kooistra will be held at 1:30PM on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Windham High School, 406 Gray Road, Windham. A private burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the new Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral, and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland.

The Deputy Chief John Kooistra EMS training scholarship is being established in his honor. Donations to that scholarship can be sent to:

Windham Fire – Rescue Department
C/O Deputy Chief John Kooistra EMS Training Scholarship
375 Gray Roay
Windham, ME 04062