10/22/2020

Obituary for Donald Vincent Kumin

Retired Funeral Director and Father and Father-in-Law of Michael A. and Lynne Kumin, all of Berkowitz-Kumin Memorial Chapel

Donald Vincent Kumin, age 91, of Delray Beach, FL, formerly of Cleveland, OH, passed away on October 22, 2020. Donald was born November 6, 1928.  Korean War Army veteran.  33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.

Donald was a founder of Berkowitz-Kumin Memorial Chapel and a funeral director for over 50 years. Over the decades he helped thousands of Cleveland families honor their loved ones.

Donald was a 23-year survivor of breast cancer. He spoke upon the subject when interviewed by the University of Miami Health System about his experience as a male breast cancer survivor. The interview is online here (https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/men-get-breast-cancer-too/).

He graduated from Glenville High School and went to Ohio University. He finished his schooling at the Cleveland Mortuary College.

Donald served in the Army attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was a tank commander but mostly served commanding the kitchens at Camp Rucker, AL.

He had many hobbies, he was a metal sculptor creating figures of people playing, dancing and scenes of life. He was a restorer of old leather-bound books, bringing hundreds of books back to like new condition. He was a bowler when his back was young and was a lifelong avid golfer. He was a lover of Big Band and Swing era music

Donald fancied himself a grill-master but gave over duties to his sons as soon as they were interested in grilling. For many years he belonged to the Cleveland Toastmasters Club and developed his public speaking abilities.

Donald supported and participated in many organizations in northeast Ohio. He helped fund a camper scholarship for Congregation B'nai Jeshurun youth. He established the Sharon L. Kumin Scholarship at the Cleveland Institute of Art in memory of his late first wife.  

He was one of the investors that brought Glidden House Hotel to the University Circle area because he agreed with others that Cleveland would support a beautiful boutique hotel.

Beloved husband of Irene Kumin (nee Magden) of Delray Beach, FL for 20 years and husband of the late Sharon L. Kumin (nee Ross) for 44 years; devoted father of Michael (Lynne) Kumin, Robin (George Miller) Kumin of Columbus, OH and Jeremy (Barbara) Kumin; loving grandfather of Zachary Kumin, Rachel Kumin and Jonathan Kumin; dear brother of the late Patricia Turoff; dearly loved uncle and cousin of many.

Funeral services for Donald will be held at BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1985 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Hts. on Friday, October 30 at 1 pm.  Forest City Masonic Lodge No. 388 services will take place at 12:45 PM, immediately prior to the funeral service.

If attending the service, please observe social distancing.

To view the funeral service online at 1 PM October 30 please navigate to www.bitly.com/largechapel.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery, 27855 Aurora Rd, Solon, Ohio.