Obituary of Donald W. Kunz
Donald W. Kunz, born on July 3, 1947 in Hackensack, NJ to the late Erma (nee Hoch) and Herbert Kunz, passed away suddenly of natural causes on August 3, 2021. He was the fourth child of five brothers and three sisters. Don resided in Lakewood and formerly lived in Island Heights and Howell.
Fascinated from an early age with understanding how things work, Don was a problem solver at heart. He directed that passion into multiple successful roles in the building and construction industry, achieving numerous certifications including licensed Master Electrician and member of the Operating Engineers Local 68 from 1980 through to his retirement.
His professional accomplishments began by owning his own electrical business, King Electric, from 1968 to 1980. Followed by 20 years at Johnson Controls, Don took on roles such as Senior Facility Engineer at the AT&T data center in Piscataway and most proudly as Chief Engineer supervising the building of the United Airlines maintenance hub in Indianapolis. Don continued in the home building industry as a construction supervisor at K. Hovnanian. After retiring, he served as a consultant to businesses with Applehardt Construction.
Don’s endless talents in construction led him to the restoration of two historical homes; the first being in the historic district of Lockerbie, Indianapolis and the second in Island Heights, New Jersey.
Following in his family’s tradition of service, Don began his lifelong commitment as a volunteer first responder by joining the Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad in 1976 and earning his EMT certification. Through the years Don served in various roles including President, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Treasurer, Trustee and Cadet Advisor. Upon moving to Island Heights in 2001, he became an active member of the Island Heights First Aid Squad.
In addition to saving countless lives and delivering more than a dozen babies, Don donated his time and expertise in the construction and maintenance of their buildings.
More than just his service, Don never turned down a request from anyone in need. Whether it was to help diagnose a problem with your heating system, or figuring out how to deliver generators after Hurricane Sandy.
While the call of the plectron (emergency alert system) not only led Don to the aid of others, it also led him to the love of his life - ER nurse, Joan Kunz (nee Newhardt). From their first date, not surprisingly a first aid installation dinner, until his passing, they spent just days shy of 29 years of marriage completely devoted to each other.
He loved fishing with his brothers on Lake Anna, VA and as avid birdwatchers, he and Joan enjoyed many days at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. No matter how much passion and energy Don put into any of his many endeavors, nothing filled him with more pride and joy than his children and grandchildren.
Don was predeceased by siblings, Herbert II, Richard, Marilyn, Carolyn and Thomas; sister-in-law, Phyllis Kunz; and brother-in-law, Greg.
Don is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; his children, Matthew and his wife, Victoria, Deborah and her fiancé, Jack, Michele and her husband, Tony, Jennifer, and Jessica and her partner, Andrea; his siblings, Cathy and her husband, Ralph, John and his wife, Melissa, and Ronald and his wife, Rebecca; his three loving grandchildren, Preston, Kaitlyn, and Connor; his sister-in-law, Gena; his many nieces, nephews, and great-nephews and nieces; and extended family, David and Kathryn, Rosemary and David, Robert and Marlies, and Juan.
Don’s contribution to others will continue through donations to the NJ Sharing Network.
All services are by invitation only and under the directions of the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township. Memorial contributions in memory of Donald may be made in the form of a mailed check to the Howell First Aid and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Howell, NJ 07731 (https://www.htfars.org/ ) or the Island Heights First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 1027, Island Heights, NJ 08732. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com