James Kuhn

James A. Kuhn, age 90, of Metuchen, formerly of Highland Park, died Saturday morning, October 26, 2013 at his home with his family by his side. Born October 13, 1923, in New Brunswick, the son the Anne S. McCormick and William G. Kuhn, Sr., he lived in Highland Park and Metuchen all of his life.

Jim graduated from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark in 1943, went into the U.S. Army and was a staff sergeant, serving in Europe during World War II as an explosive demolition specialist with the 7th Army. After being dischargedm he went to Georgetown University where he graduated in 1949. He began working for RCA in 1950 at Exhibition Hall in Rockefeller Center where he demonstrated new products, such as TVs "virtually indestructible" records, and then worked in the marketing department in Harrison. In 1970, he and his wife, Eileen took over her family's funeral home, renaming it the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home. he attended the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service to obtain his funeral director's license and at age 49 we was president of his class. He was a member of the N.J. Funeral Directors Association, Middlesex/Somerset District. He and Eileen ran their business with much dignity and care until they retired in 1995.

Jim was a nearly lifelong parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Highland Park, where he was a lector for more than 35 years and was a member of the St. Vincent dePaul Society. He loved local politics and was a Democratic municipal chairman in Metuchen from the mid 1960s until 1970. He believed in public service and was a Metuchen Planning Board member and a zoning board member in Highland Park. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6306.

He and Eileen, who met as 10 year olds, married on May 19, 1951, and were perfectly suited to each other during their nearly 62 years of marriage.

Jim loved his family and cherished the time he spend with them. He was a great father to "his girls" and a favorite uncle to his 23 nieces and nephews. The quintessential nice guy, he was know for great - but gentle - sense of humor, his magic peanut trick, his willingness to help others, his kindness and his ability to strike up a conversation with just about everyone he met.

A lover of chocolate, news programs and papers, neatly cut lawns, shoveled walks, his community and neighbors, Jim lead a wonderful full life. He approached death with immense courage and grace and served as an inspiration to those who knew him.

He was pre-deceased by the love of his life, Eileen Jaqui Kuhn who died March 28, Dr. William G. Kuhn,Jr.; his sisters, Eileen Santucci and Mary L. Kuhn; and his parents.

Surviving are his three daughters, M. Patricia Kuhn and her husband, Bert Dice-Goldberg, Michele Jaqui Kuhn of Metuchen and Maureen N. Kuhn and her partner Norna F. Fairbanks of Highland Park; his grandchildren, David M. Kuhn and Sarah Dice-Goldberg; and his nieces and nephews in the Kuhn, Santucci and Skudlarek families.

His family extends its gratitude to those at Haven Hospice, particularly Carol Issler and Tameca Thomas, who offered their expertise, advice and support during the past 10 months.


Relatives and friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29th at the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, 17 South Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 30th at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, St. Paul the Apostle R.C. Church, Highland Park. Interment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jim's name to St. Benedict's Prepatory School, 520 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, N.J. 07102-1314.

Calling Hours

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. ,Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home
17 South Adelaide Avenue Highland Park,, NJ, Middlesex 08904

Funeral Liturgy

10:30 a.m. ,Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Transfiguration of the Lord Parish - St. Paul the Apostle R.C. Church
504 Raritan Avenue Highland Park, NJ 08904

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