Emil O TumSuden

He was born on August 16, 1937, to Henry John George TumSuden and Lillian TumSuden (Schnebele).

Emil started his schooling in a one-room schoolhouse in Barnegat City (now Barnegat Light), graduated high school in Barnegat, NJ, and took various course at Rutgers University to earn professional certifications. He went on to enlist in the US Air Force in December 1955, became a Staff Sergeant for the Air National Guard, and was honorably discharged in May 1962.

Anyone who met him probably knows how important family was to him.

He married the girl next door, the love of his life, Joan Elaine Patterson on November 26, 1960, and they had four children: Eric, Carl, Dan, and Lora.

Emil was a jack-of-all-trades and a master of many. Most may know him from his primary role as Superintendent of Public Works, (including water and sewer departments), in Surf City, NJ. He also worked as a plumber for his father, a driver for Cox and Cox, was a fishmonger at the Surf City Fishery, managed his own plumbing business, as well as many other various side jobs. After his honorable discharge from the US Air Force in 1962, he helped rebuild Surf City from the destruction of the 1962 storm. Apparently, this was good practice for him as he also was instrumental in the recovery from Super Storm Sandy in 2012.

He loved the outdoors, was an avid camper, and traveled the US with his family. He was always busy, whether he was doing puzzles, watching a car race, walking dogs, taking his kids or grandchildren on adventures, feeding the birds and squirrels, working in the yard, helping someone, or fixing something. He was active in the Holiday Ramblers Travel Trailer club for more than 45 years, was a life member of Good Sam club, was a member of Masons Sextant Lodge number 286, a Board member on Surf City Land Use Board, and a very active member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Emil joined the Surf City Volunteer Fire Company over 60 years ago and has never stopped his public service. He spent many hours and weeks learning new skills, getting certifications, and even served as Chief for over 20 years. Cited for his bravery on several occasions over the years, he truly saved a countless number of lives on Long Beach Island. In addition, he inspired and taught many others. He was instrumental in establishing the Ocean County Fire Academy by serving on the Fire Training Liaison Committee and volunteering as Ocean County Fire Coordinator. Not many people have a fire truck dedicated to them, but in 2016, the Surf City Fire Company dedicated their new 2016 Spartan Rescue Engine 4913 in his name, a well-deserved distinction. He was still responding to calls and filling coolers with ice up until his recent illness in August.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Lillian TumSuden, and stepbrother Harry Schnebele.

Emil is survived by his wife Joan; four children: Eric, Carl and wife Kim, Dan and wife Nancy, Lora and husband Jerry; six grandchildren: Chris and wife Emily, Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Jeremy, and Elizabeth; as well as one new great-granddaughter: Charlie.

Services will be on Thursday September 1, 2022, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 5800 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ. Viewing and visitation will be 9-11 am, with a funeral service following at 11:00am.

Pallbearer duties will be handled by Emil’s brothers and sisters in the Surf City Fire Company.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to either Surf City Volunteer Fire Company & EMS, or to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Brant Beach, NJ. Donations can be mailed to:

Surf City Vol. Fire Co. & EMS, 713 Long Beach Blvd., Surf City, NJ 08008

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 5800 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shinnfuneralhome.com for the TumSuden family.

Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, NJ was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.