Samuel was married to his devoted wife, Marie (Perogino), for 56 years prior to her passing in 2009. He was a graduate of Newark Tech, and was a machinist for PEMCO, Elizabeth, NJ, for 25 years, then with Manning & Lewis, Union, NJ, from which he retired in 1996. With seven children, Samuel worked hard to support his family, but was also a committed, unselfish soul who volunteered his time to numerous causes, most notably, Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 99, Hillside, NJ. Samuel served several years as a cook in the Army National Guard at Fort Dix. He enjoyed playing league baseball in his younger days, and was a long-suffering fan of the Cleveland Indians. He relaxed by tending to his garden and his flowers and sitting under his grapevines, with his beloved mutt, Tazz, to “shoot the breeze” with friends and family who happened by. Sam enjoyed going to the casinos and the racetrack when he could. One of his favorite places to visit was Atlantic City, NJ, where he could spend hours sitting at the slot machines. If given the chance, he would stay in the casino all day, nursing the same cup of coffee for eight hours. When he wasn’t camped out at the penny slots, or lighting a cigar in the yard, Sam loved spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed the company of his eleven grandchildren, whom he affectionately called turkeys.
Upon retirement, he embraced his passion for adventure and travelling; always anxiously looking forward to his next opportunity to get away. He was proud of having visited most of the country’s major league baseball stadiums while on cross-country trips. Sam loved to turn those adventures into stories that he would share time and time again. He also proved you were never too old to learn new technology-he enjoyed being online and playing games on his tablet. He was fondly known as Mr. K, Uncle Rabbi, Pops, Dad, and most of all, Grandpa Sam.
In addition to his loving wife Marie, Samuel was also predeceased by daughter Carol Ann Kurus; brothers Michael, Peter, Paul, John, his twin Nicholas, and William; sisters Kay Galuk, Mary Zawoysky, Anne Pettus, and Stella Kurus; grandson Brian; and son-in-law John (JB) Cava.
He is survived by his daughters Patti Cava and Maria Kurus; sons Samuel M. Kurus; Nicholas Kurus, Sr. and wife Deborah; Michael (Doobie) Kurus and wife Joyce; and William (BJ) Kurus and wife Janice; grandchildren Stevi, Nicholas, Jr., Christopher, Rhiannon, Emma, Jessica, Joelle, Jonathan, Zadie, and Beatrix; and great-granddaughter, Eve. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, who will always cherish their memories of time with “Uncle Sammy”. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
A visitation will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 11:00 AM at McCracken Funeral Home. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Samuel’s name to a charity of your choice in his memory or to The Boy Scouts of America/ Patriots’ Path Council, 1 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 and note “Winnebago Scout Reservation-Kurus” on the check.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McCrackenFuneralHome.com for the Kurus family.
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