John Coen Kerwin, of West Long Branch, passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 30, 2016.
Born in Long Branch, he was a graduate of Admiral Farragut Naval Prep School in Pine Beach. He received a BS from Seton Hall University and an MS from Oklahoma State University where he was elected to the graduate honor society, Phi Kappa Phi.
John was an athlete. He played basketball at Star of the Sea School in Long Branch for Father Horan’s championship teams; he played at St. Rose High School and for the undefeated Admiral Farragut Academy. John played for LaSalle University (Big 5) and for his brother, Coach Jim Kerwin at Southwestern Oklahoma.
John coached girls’ basketball at Matawan Regional High School bringing the athletes of those years unheard of scholarship opportunities. John founded the legendary annual Kerwin Basketball Awards in honor of his parents.
John was an advertising executive for many years; president/partner of the Heck-Kerwin Marketing Solutions in Eatontown. He taught at Holy Trinity School and was honored by the State of New Jersey as the outstanding Catholic school educator in 1997-1998. He taught in the Matawan Regional School District and was Oceanport Recreation Director where he initiated extensive sports and recreation programs for children through seniors. John was director at the Newark based Occupational Center where he created a grant system to fund the training of underemployed Newark residents. Presently, he was teaching ESL at the Monmouth County Vocational School.
John was a member and a former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 335 in Long Branch, which is one of the oldest councils in the world. He was an usher, a devoted parishioner and a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in West End, Long Branch. Personally, John Kerwin was truly a man of strength with the finest qualities of humanity and in the Irish tradition, an unwavering kindness and loyalty to faith, family and friends. He will live on in our hearts. Til we meet again, Johnny.
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Margaret Kerwin, his brother, Bill Kerwin and his sister-in-law, Gwen Grant Kerwin.
Surviving are his brothers, Jim (Gayle) of Norman, Oklahoma and Tom of Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina; his sisters, Peggy (Hans) Fleischer of Long Branch and Marie (Gene) Kretowitz of Tuscon, Arizona. John is survived by his beloved nieces and nephews, Kevin, Kyle (Rebekka), Megan (Jeff), Christie, Bree, Kerri, Collette (Seth), Kari (Nick) and Gina (Ryan) and 10 precious great nieces and nephews, Caroline, Jake, Ryan, Isabella, Lyla, Delaney, Juliette, Charlie, Keller and Eli.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 4-8 pm Wednesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:30 am Thursday at St. Michaels’s Church in West End, Long Branch. For condolences please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.