Arnold David Kurmin

Arnold David Kurmin, 87, of Wall Township, was welcomed into our Lord's loving arms as he entered "The (celestial) Big House" on Wednesday, January 12, 2023. He passed away peacefully with his beloved family by his side.
Arnie was born in Philadelphia, PA to Robert and Dorothy (Rudolph) Kurmin and was raised in Lavallette, NJ. He was a graduate of Point Pleasant Beach High School Class of 1953. After school and during summers, he worked with his father as a carpenter, crew chief and project supervisor in the family construction business. He was also appointed Captain of the Lifeguards for several years and served as a police officer for the Town of Lavallette. His early exposure to the building profession led him to Temple University where he earned his degree in Construction Engineering in 1955. That same year, he enlisted in the US Army with three high school buddies and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. After serving in the the military in Germany for three years, it was onto the University of Michigan where he completed his professional degree in Architecture in 1963. During these years, he married his hometown sweetheart Pat Cericola, and they started their family in Ann Arbor, first with daughter Robin, soon followed by Kim and Kelly. He established his own architectural firm in 1968 and forged many special professional and personal connections while in Michigan. The Kurmins decided to return back East in 1970 to be closer to their families and bought a home right across the street from Arnie's brother Bob and his family. In 1972 the family was complete with the birth of his son Chris (aka Brother), and he truly relished being back with family and friends on the Jersey Shore.
Arnie proudly served his community for many years. He was a member of the Southern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years and received the Golden Osprey Award for Service in 2011. He made significant contributions to several other community organizations as well. He was co-founder of the W.H.I.P (Wall Helps Its People) organization and served as President. Arnie was active in the Wall Rotary Club where he was a Charter Member, Past President, and served on the the Board of Directors. In 1984 he received Rotary's highest recognition for "service above self", the Paul Harris Fellowship. He was also a Charter Member and Board of Directors Member for the Boniface Food Center, a proud Elk for forty-four years, a member of the Wall Township Planning Board, and Vice President and Coach of the Wall Soccer Club. In 2004 Arnie was inducted into the Point Pleasant Beach High School Hall of Fame. He was also a respected member of the American Institute of Architects for over forty years and since 1970, a devoted parishioner of St Catharine - St. Margaret Parish.
Throughout his many years of professional successes and community service, Arnie willingly donned many hats to serve his community. The hat closest to his heart, however, was the very special one he wore every December when he and Pat volunteered their time at hospitals, nursing homes, schools and fundraisers. Dressed in his red velvet hat and suit, black boots topped with white fur and smiling through his long white beard, he brought teddy bears, smiles and good Christmas tidings to legions of children and adults alike.
With thousands of successful, innovative projects and countless hours of community service behind him, Arnie always maintained his greatest accomplishment to be his family: his beloved wife, four children, and ten grandchildren. Nothing made him happier than having family and friends gathered together, whether it was at the annual 4th of July party, vacationing on Boston Island, sitting on the beach in LBI during the annual family reunion, watching the University of Michigan Football team (Go Blue!), or just playing cards around the table. For him, it was all about family.
Arnie was predeceased by wife Patricia (Cericola) Kurmin in 2017, his brother Robert Kurmin (2009) and sister Florence Liddie (2022). He remains the loving father of Robin Stacy, Kimberly Maslak (John), Kelly McGuire, and Christopher Kurmin (Laura), and adored Pop to Tyler (Alana), Lana (Anthony Tantillo), and Kayla Stacy, Sofia and Grace Maslak, Connor, Kendra, and Camryn McGuire, Riley and Ryan Kurmin, and former son-in-law Christopher McGuire. He is happily reunited with many lifelong friends in heaven including Bill Wright, John Davis, Jules Kay, Fred Chadwick, and Skip Kingman. Arnie also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, dear friends and adored neighbors.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 4-8 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals 2643 Old Bridge Road Manasquan, NJ 08736. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am at St Catharine's Church Spring Lake on Friday, January 20, 2023, with interment to follow at St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orendrfamilyhome.net.