John Albert Nurmi ~ A Life Remembered
John Albert Nurmi was born on 3 July 1916 in Bergenfield, Bergen County, New Jersey to John Nurmi [John "Lahja Johannes" Nurmi "Svärd"] and Albertina Salo [Albertina Salo "Juhantytär Itäluoma"] both born in Finland.
In 1923, his parents were listed in the Bergenfield New Jersey Directory as living at 180 Merrit Avenue. His father was a contractor by trade and was an expert carpenter.
In the late summer of 1927, John Albert traveled with his mother Albertina and brother George to Finland to visit Albertina's mother. Albertina had lost her father, Juha Niilo Antinpoika Itäluoma, on February 18th that year. The seas were rough on that voyage and the story was told that no one was in the dining car but this little Nurmi family. The seas were so violent that no one on the ship could 'hold down' food but these three! My father, John, would chuckle when he told the story how he, his brother and mother had stomachs of steel! He referred to them as "iron" stomachs.
By 1930, the family had moved to a home at 346 Floral Terrace located in Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey. In the US Census of that year, the value of the home was $10,000. Today, 2013, the value of the home is close to half a million dollars.
John would tell tales of his happy life in Bergen County, New Jersey. He played football in high school and was rated number 1 in the State of New Jersey for throwing shot-put. His love was athletics. He would participate in all of the high school sports and excel at all of them! Sports played an integral part in his life throughout the years coaching and directing teams to victories. He never missed an opportunity to teach lessons of fair play and consideration of others.
He had fond memories of his Finnish family. He told the story of the two brothers sitting on the back steps of their home in Tenafly, New Jersey eating an 'entire' apple pie, that his mother made from scratch, enjoying every bite. She was one of the best cooks around he would say! At one point in his mother's career, she professionally cooked for the Lindbergh family of aviation lore.
His father became a successful contractor in the building industry and moved to Saddle River, which was quite an 'upcoming' area in Bergen County, New Jersey. He taught his sons, John Albert and George, the art of construction. Construction had been a focus of this family's lineage in Western Finland. Attention to detail and perfection, with a keen eye, was a lesson well taught. My mother would say that Al was truly a 'MASTER' at carpentry.
Out of high school, he went to work for his father. By 1940, he was working as a carpenter in his father's business building homes of exquisite character and design. He once told me that no material would be wasted on their job site. He would instruct the architect to design homes that would utilize the entire length of the standard beams/wood length commonly used.
Dad was known for his strength and size ... much larger in stature than the average man of the time. His hands were massive. Because of his size, tailored suits were custom made. This is what turned the head of my mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Haring...she LOVED those wool tailored suits! Mother said he was quite a "dapper" fellow. As he was keen to detail in building and construction, he paid close attention to the way he dressed.
He married Elizabeth Barrow Haring on 16 September 1944 at the Upper Ridgewood Community Church, located on 35 Fairmount Road in Ridgewood, New Jersey, by the Minister Leroy J Hess. The witnesses were Matthews J Harold and Marguerite B Haring (Bride's Sister). John Albert Nurmi was from Saddle River, New Jersey and Elizabeth Barrow Haring was from Ridgewood, New Jersey, according to the marriage records.
Dad became a builder with his brother, George, in Saddle River and Upper Saddle River in Bergen County, New Jersey in the 1950s. Many of his homes are still there today.
When his daughter became ill in 1956 as an infant, he was told by the doctors to move to a warmer climate. In 1957, John relocated to Palm Beach County Florida and built a home five blocks from his father and step mother, John and Anna Nurmi, who had retired there earlier.
After moving to Florida, his focus became hospitals. He ran many of the larger construction jobs in the health industry. He retired in his 50's and enjoyed the bright Florida sunshine golfing with his sons.
He had a close relationship with his children. Though he became a top builder and proficient in construction, he did not want any of his children to enter the construction field. He was adamant about his children attending higher institutions of learning. At one point, he told all of us that if any of us went into construction, he would take a hammer and hit us over the head with it, as he winked at us with sparkling blue eyes that danced with delight!
The future is in education he would say. Any and all money would be spent to further that cause. I remember convincing him to purchase one of the top typewriters at "Palm Beach Office Supply", located in Palm Beach, Florida, in the pursuit of education! It was a technical innovation at the time and not inexpensive. My brothers had a 'fit' that Dad was spending that kind of money for something like that. "She certainly has Dad wrapped around her fingers", they said in unison.
Because of that strong desire for his children to excel, all of his children became college educated with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rennselear Polytechnic Institute, Duke University, Florida State and Brigham Young University.
Additonally, all of his grandchildren attended top schools including Drexel University, Brigham Young University and Florida Atlantic University. He was a firm believer in education and supported such ideals.
I was blessed to have him as my father. I will always remember him lovingly combing the knots out of my curly hair with his huge strong hands being EVER so gentle!!! I will always remember his bear hugs forcing the air out of my lungs. I will always remember the love he had for us, his children. He loved us dearly. We equally loved him. He was a blessing in our lives.
He will be truly missed...and cherished in our memory.
I love you Daddy! I will never forget you! You were taken from me much too early! I will see you again soon!
Birth Certificate ~ John Albert Nurmi
▪ Department of Health
▪ Bureau of Vital Statistics
▪ State of New Jersey
▪ Place of Birth: Bergenfield
▪ Full Name of Child: John A. Nurmi
▪ Sex of Child: M; Color: White
▪ Date of Birth: July 3, 1916
▪ Father's Name: John Nurmi
▪ Color: White - Age: 22
▪ Birthplace: Finland
▪ Occupation: Carpenter
▪ Mother's Name: Albertina Salo
▪ Color: White - Age: 25
▪ Birthplace: Finland
John Albert Nurmi was born on 3 July 1916 in Bergenfield, Bergen County, New Jersey to John Nurmi [John "Lahja Johannes" Nurmi "Svärd"] and Albertina Salo [Albertina Salo "Juhantytär Itäluoma"] both born in Finland.
In 1923, his parents were listed in the Bergenfield New Jersey Directory as living at 180 Merrit Avenue. His father was a contractor by trade and was an expert carpenter.
In the late summer of 1927, John Albert traveled with his mother Albertina and brother George to Finland to visit Albertina's mother. Albertina had lost her father, Juha Niilo Antinpoika Itäluoma, on February 18th that year. The seas were rough on that voyage and the story was told that no one was in the dining car but this little Nurmi family. The seas were so violent that no one on the ship could 'hold down' food but these three! My father, John, would chuckle when he told the story how he, his brother and mother had stomachs of steel! He referred to them as "iron" stomachs.
By 1930, the family had moved to a home at 346 Floral Terrace located in Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey. In the US Census of that year, the value of the home was $10,000. Today, 2013, the value of the home is close to half a million dollars.
John would tell tales of his happy life in Bergen County, New Jersey. He played football in high school and was rated number 1 in the State of New Jersey for throwing shot-put. His love was athletics. He would participate in all of the high school sports and excel at all of them! Sports played an integral part in his life throughout the years coaching and directing teams to victories. He never missed an opportunity to teach lessons of fair play and consideration of others.
He had fond memories of his Finnish family. He told the story of the two brothers sitting on the back steps of their home in Tenafly, New Jersey eating an 'entire' apple pie, that his mother made from scratch, enjoying every bite. She was one of the best cooks around he would say! At one point in his mother's career, she professionally cooked for the Lindbergh family of aviation lore.
His father became a successful contractor in the building industry and moved to Saddle River, which was quite an 'upcoming' area in Bergen County, New Jersey. He taught his sons, John Albert and George, the art of construction. Construction had been a focus of this family's lineage in Western Finland. Attention to detail and perfection, with a keen eye, was a lesson well taught. My mother would say that Al was truly a 'MASTER' at carpentry.
Out of high school, he went to work for his father. By 1940, he was working as a carpenter in his father's business building homes of exquisite character and design. He once told me that no material would be wasted on their job site. He would instruct the architect to design homes that would utilize the entire length of the standard beams/wood length commonly used.
Dad was known for his strength and size ... much larger in stature than the average man of the time. His hands were massive. Because of his size, tailored suits were custom made. This is what turned the head of my mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Haring...she LOVED those wool tailored suits! Mother said he was quite a "dapper" fellow. As he was keen to detail in building and construction, he paid close attention to the way he dressed.
He married Elizabeth Barrow Haring on 16 September 1944 at the Upper Ridgewood Community Church, located on 35 Fairmount Road in Ridgewood, New Jersey, by the Minister Leroy J Hess. The witnesses were Matthews J Harold and Marguerite B Haring (Bride's Sister). John Albert Nurmi was from Saddle River, New Jersey and Elizabeth Barrow Haring was from Ridgewood, New Jersey, according to the marriage records.
Dad became a builder with his brother, George, in Saddle River and Upper Saddle River in Bergen County, New Jersey in the 1950s. Many of his homes are still there today.
When his daughter became ill in 1956 as an infant, he was told by the doctors to move to a warmer climate. In 1957, John relocated to Palm Beach County Florida and built a home five blocks from his father and step mother, John and Anna Nurmi, who had retired there earlier.
After moving to Florida, his focus became hospitals. He ran many of the larger construction jobs in the health industry. He retired in his 50's and enjoyed the bright Florida sunshine golfing with his sons.
He had a close relationship with his children. Though he became a top builder and proficient in construction, he did not want any of his children to enter the construction field. He was adamant about his children attending higher institutions of learning. At one point, he told all of us that if any of us went into construction, he would take a hammer and hit us over the head with it, as he winked at us with sparkling blue eyes that danced with delight!
The future is in education he would say. Any and all money would be spent to further that cause. I remember convincing him to purchase one of the top typewriters at "Palm Beach Office Supply", located in Palm Beach, Florida, in the pursuit of education! It was a technical innovation at the time and not inexpensive. My brothers had a 'fit' that Dad was spending that kind of money for something like that. "She certainly has Dad wrapped around her fingers", they said in unison.
Because of that strong desire for his children to excel, all of his children became college educated with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rennselear Polytechnic Institute, Duke University, Florida State and Brigham Young University.
Additonally, all of his grandchildren attended top schools including Drexel University, Brigham Young University and Florida Atlantic University. He was a firm believer in education and supported such ideals.
I was blessed to have him as my father. I will always remember him lovingly combing the knots out of my curly hair with his huge strong hands being EVER so gentle!!! I will always remember his bear hugs forcing the air out of my lungs. I will always remember the love he had for us, his children. He loved us dearly. We equally loved him. He was a blessing in our lives.
He will be truly missed...and cherished in our memory.
I love you Daddy! I will never forget you! You were taken from me much too early! I will see you again soon!
Birth Certificate ~ John Albert Nurmi
▪ Department of Health
▪ Bureau of Vital Statistics
▪ State of New Jersey
▪ Place of Birth: Bergenfield
▪ Full Name of Child: John A. Nurmi
▪ Sex of Child: M; Color: White
▪ Date of Birth: July 3, 1916
▪ Father's Name: John Nurmi
▪ Color: White - Age: 22
▪ Birthplace: Finland
▪ Occupation: Carpenter
▪ Mother's Name: Albertina Salo
▪ Color: White - Age: 25
▪ Birthplace: Finland
John Albert Nurmi ~ A Life Remembered
John Albert Nurmi was born on 3 July 1916 in Bergenfield, Bergen County, New Jersey to John Nurmi [John "Lahja Johannes" Nurmi "Svärd"] and Albertina Salo [Albertina Salo "Juhantytär Itäluoma"] both born in Finland.
In 1923, his parents were listed in the Bergenfield New Jersey Directory as living at 180 Merrit Avenue. His father was a contractor by trade and was an expert carpenter.
In the late summer of 1927, John Albert traveled with his mother Albertina and brother George to Finland to visit Albertina's mother. Albertina had lost her father, Juha Niilo Antinpoika Itäluoma, on February 18th that year. The seas were rough on that voyage and the story was told that no one was in the dining car but this little Nurmi family. The seas were so violent that no one on the ship could 'hold down' food but these three! My father, John, would chuckle when he told the story how he, his brother and mother had stomachs of steel! He referred to them as "iron" stomachs.
By 1930, the family had moved to a home at 346 Floral Terrace located in Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey. In the US Census of that year, the value of the home was $10,000. Today, 2013, the value of the home is close to half a million dollars.
John would tell tales of his happy life in Bergen County, New Jersey. He played football in high school and was rated number 1 in the State of New Jersey for throwing shot-put. His love was athletics. He would participate in all of the high school sports and excel at all of them! Sports played an integral part in his life throughout the years coaching and directing teams to victories. He never missed an opportunity to teach lessons of fair play and consideration of others.
He had fond memories of his Finnish family. He told the story of the two brothers sitting on the back steps of their home in Tenafly, New Jersey eating an 'entire' apple pie, that his mother made from scratch, enjoying every bite. She was one of the best cooks around he would say! At one point in his mother's career, she professionally cooked for the Lindbergh family of aviation lore.
His father became a successful contractor in the building industry and moved to Saddle River, which was quite an 'upcoming' area in Bergen County, New Jersey. He taught his sons, John Albert and George, the art of construction. Construction had been a focus of this family's lineage in Western Finland. Attention to detail and perfection, with a keen eye, was a lesson well taught. My mother would say that Al was truly a 'MASTER' at carpentry.
Out of high school, he went to work for his father. By 1940, he was working as a carpenter in his father's business building homes of exquisite character and design. He once told me that no material would be wasted on their job site. He would instruct the architect to design homes that would utilize the entire length of the standard beams/wood length commonly used.
Dad was known for his strength and size ... much larger in stature than the average man of the time. His hands were massive. Because of his size, tailored suits were custom made. This is what turned the head of my mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Haring...she LOVED those wool tailored suits! Mother said he was quite a "dapper" fellow. As he was keen to detail in building and construction, he paid close attention to the way he dressed.
He married Elizabeth Barrow Haring on 16 September 1944 at the Upper Ridgewood Community Church, located on 35 Fairmount Road in Ridgewood, New Jersey, by the Minister Leroy J Hess. The witnesses were Matthews J Harold and Marguerite B Haring (Bride's Sister). John Albert Nurmi was from Saddle River, New Jersey and Elizabeth Barrow Haring was from Ridgewood, New Jersey, according to the marriage records.
Dad became a builder with his brother, George, in Saddle River and Upper Saddle River in Bergen County, New Jersey in the 1950s. Many of his homes are still there today.
When his daughter became ill in 1956 as an infant, he was told by the doctors to move to a warmer climate. In 1957, John relocated to Palm Beach County Florida and built a home five blocks from his father and step mother, John and Anna Nurmi, who had retired there earlier.
After moving to Florida, his focus became hospitals. He ran many of the larger construction jobs in the health industry. He retired in his 50's and enjoyed the bright Florida sunshine golfing with his sons.
He had a close relationship with his children. Though he became a top builder and proficient in construction, he did not want any of his children to enter the construction field. He was adamant about his children attending higher institutions of learning. At one point, he told all of us that if any of us went into construction, he would take a hammer and hit us over the head with it, as he winked at us with sparkling blue eyes that danced with delight!
The future is in education he would say. Any and all money would be spent to further that cause. I remember convincing him to purchase one of the top typewriters at "Palm Beach Office Supply", located in Palm Beach, Florida, in the pursuit of education! It was a technical innovation at the time and not inexpensive. My brothers had a 'fit' that Dad was spending that kind of money for something like that. "She certainly has Dad wrapped around her fingers", they said in unison.
Because of that strong desire for his children to excel, all of his children became college educated with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rennselear Polytechnic Institute, Duke University, Florida State and Brigham Young University.
Additonally, all of his grandchildren attended top schools including Drexel University, Brigham Young University and Florida Atlantic University. He was a firm believer in education and supported such ideals.
I was blessed to have him as my father. I will always remember him lovingly combing the knots out of my curly hair with his huge strong hands being EVER so gentle!!! I will always remember his bear hugs forcing the air out of my lungs. I will always remember the love he had for us, his children. He loved us dearly. We equally loved him. He was a blessing in our lives.
He will be truly missed...and cherished in our memory.
I love you Daddy! I will never forget you! You were taken from me much too early! I will see you again soon!
Birth Certificate ~ John Albert Nurmi
▪ Department of Health
▪ Bureau of Vital Statistics
▪ State of New Jersey
▪ Place of Birth: Bergenfield
▪ Full Name of Child: John A. Nurmi
▪ Sex of Child: M; Color: White
▪ Date of Birth: July 3, 1916
▪ Father's Name: John Nurmi
▪ Color: White - Age: 22
▪ Birthplace: Finland
▪ Occupation: Carpenter
▪ Mother's Name: Albertina Salo
▪ Color: White - Age: 25
▪ Birthplace: Finland
John Albert Nurmi was born on 3 July 1916 in Bergenfield, Bergen County, New Jersey to John Nurmi [John "Lahja Johannes" Nurmi "Svärd"] and Albertina Salo [Albertina Salo "Juhantytär Itäluoma"] both born in Finland.
In 1923, his parents were listed in the Bergenfield New Jersey Directory as living at 180 Merrit Avenue. His father was a contractor by trade and was an expert carpenter.
In the late summer of 1927, John Albert traveled with his mother Albertina and brother George to Finland to visit Albertina's mother. Albertina had lost her father, Juha Niilo Antinpoika Itäluoma, on February 18th that year. The seas were rough on that voyage and the story was told that no one was in the dining car but this little Nurmi family. The seas were so violent that no one on the ship could 'hold down' food but these three! My father, John, would chuckle when he told the story how he, his brother and mother had stomachs of steel! He referred to them as "iron" stomachs.
By 1930, the family had moved to a home at 346 Floral Terrace located in Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey. In the US Census of that year, the value of the home was $10,000. Today, 2013, the value of the home is close to half a million dollars.
John would tell tales of his happy life in Bergen County, New Jersey. He played football in high school and was rated number 1 in the State of New Jersey for throwing shot-put. His love was athletics. He would participate in all of the high school sports and excel at all of them! Sports played an integral part in his life throughout the years coaching and directing teams to victories. He never missed an opportunity to teach lessons of fair play and consideration of others.
He had fond memories of his Finnish family. He told the story of the two brothers sitting on the back steps of their home in Tenafly, New Jersey eating an 'entire' apple pie, that his mother made from scratch, enjoying every bite. She was one of the best cooks around he would say! At one point in his mother's career, she professionally cooked for the Lindbergh family of aviation lore.
His father became a successful contractor in the building industry and moved to Saddle River, which was quite an 'upcoming' area in Bergen County, New Jersey. He taught his sons, John Albert and George, the art of construction. Construction had been a focus of this family's lineage in Western Finland. Attention to detail and perfection, with a keen eye, was a lesson well taught. My mother would say that Al was truly a 'MASTER' at carpentry.
Out of high school, he went to work for his father. By 1940, he was working as a carpenter in his father's business building homes of exquisite character and design. He once told me that no material would be wasted on their job site. He would instruct the architect to design homes that would utilize the entire length of the standard beams/wood length commonly used.
Dad was known for his strength and size ... much larger in stature than the average man of the time. His hands were massive. Because of his size, tailored suits were custom made. This is what turned the head of my mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Haring...she LOVED those wool tailored suits! Mother said he was quite a "dapper" fellow. As he was keen to detail in building and construction, he paid close attention to the way he dressed.
He married Elizabeth Barrow Haring on 16 September 1944 at the Upper Ridgewood Community Church, located on 35 Fairmount Road in Ridgewood, New Jersey, by the Minister Leroy J Hess. The witnesses were Matthews J Harold and Marguerite B Haring (Bride's Sister). John Albert Nurmi was from Saddle River, New Jersey and Elizabeth Barrow Haring was from Ridgewood, New Jersey, according to the marriage records.
Dad became a builder with his brother, George, in Saddle River and Upper Saddle River in Bergen County, New Jersey in the 1950s. Many of his homes are still there today.
When his daughter became ill in 1956 as an infant, he was told by the doctors to move to a warmer climate. In 1957, John relocated to Palm Beach County Florida and built a home five blocks from his father and step mother, John and Anna Nurmi, who had retired there earlier.
After moving to Florida, his focus became hospitals. He ran many of the larger construction jobs in the health industry. He retired in his 50's and enjoyed the bright Florida sunshine golfing with his sons.
He had a close relationship with his children. Though he became a top builder and proficient in construction, he did not want any of his children to enter the construction field. He was adamant about his children attending higher institutions of learning. At one point, he told all of us that if any of us went into construction, he would take a hammer and hit us over the head with it, as he winked at us with sparkling blue eyes that danced with delight!
The future is in education he would say. Any and all money would be spent to further that cause. I remember convincing him to purchase one of the top typewriters at "Palm Beach Office Supply", located in Palm Beach, Florida, in the pursuit of education! It was a technical innovation at the time and not inexpensive. My brothers had a 'fit' that Dad was spending that kind of money for something like that. "She certainly has Dad wrapped around her fingers", they said in unison.
Because of that strong desire for his children to excel, all of his children became college educated with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rennselear Polytechnic Institute, Duke University, Florida State and Brigham Young University.
Additonally, all of his grandchildren attended top schools including Drexel University, Brigham Young University and Florida Atlantic University. He was a firm believer in education and supported such ideals.
I was blessed to have him as my father. I will always remember him lovingly combing the knots out of my curly hair with his huge strong hands being EVER so gentle!!! I will always remember his bear hugs forcing the air out of my lungs. I will always remember the love he had for us, his children. He loved us dearly. We equally loved him. He was a blessing in our lives.
He will be truly missed...and cherished in our memory.
I love you Daddy! I will never forget you! You were taken from me much too early! I will see you again soon!
Birth Certificate ~ John Albert Nurmi
▪ Department of Health
▪ Bureau of Vital Statistics
▪ State of New Jersey
▪ Place of Birth: Bergenfield
▪ Full Name of Child: John A. Nurmi
▪ Sex of Child: M; Color: White
▪ Date of Birth: July 3, 1916
▪ Father's Name: John Nurmi
▪ Color: White - Age: 22
▪ Birthplace: Finland
▪ Occupation: Carpenter
▪ Mother's Name: Albertina Salo
▪ Color: White - Age: 25
▪ Birthplace: Finland
Gravesite Details
Thomas Allan Nurmi wanted his family to capture the morning sun. He placed father, mother, son and grandson at eye level facing the morning sun..
