Janis Krumins

Janis (John) Krumins 97, of Manchester, husband of Rita (Deksnis) Krumins, died Friday, March 26, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. The eldest of five children, he was born on February 24, 1924 in Jēkabpils, Latvia, son of Janis and Milda (Cimdins) Krumins. During his childhood, John spent time helping on his parent’s sugar beet farm. He attended the Erberges High School in Latvia. 

He fled his native land in 1944 in fear of another genocide by the recurrent occupation of Latvia by the Soviet communist regime. He arrived in Belgium then in 1945 served in the Latvian Army’s Auxiliary Service to American Occupation Forces in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He migrated to the U.S. in 1956 and resided in Manchester.

John was a skilled finish carpenter and a foreman for several builders & woodworking companies before starting his own business as a Master Stair Carpenter at John’s Stairs in Manchester, CT.  He was former treasurer and a long-standing member of the American Latvian Lutheran Church of Manchester, and Latvian Association Daugavas Vanagi. He was married in 1960. He and his wife, Rita, also of Latvian origin, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September 2020.

Until his recent illness, John led a very active lifestyle working at John’s Stairs  with his son Richard for 28 years until he retired at age 91. His greatest loves included traveling with family and friends. His adventures included snowmobiling in Vermont and fishing in the Long Island Sound, an avid traveler still at the age of 95, he flew to the Outer Banks of NC and traveled to Mount Washington, NH to ride the Cog Railway with his grandchildren Katryna and Kristine. When he was home, he enjoyed his many hobbies including building furniture sets and kitchen cabinets for family, cooking and tending to his tomato garden.

 Besides his loving wife Rita of 60 years, he leaves his daughter, Ingrid Gouin with husband, Richard Gouin of Ellington, his son, Richard Krumins with wife, Lynn, of Manchester, and two grandchildren, Katryna Gouin and Kristine Gouin of Atlanta, GA. He also leaves nieces Dace Roze and Santa Rubene in Latvia, and other relatives in Latvia, as well as dear neighbors and friends. John will be dearly missed by his beloved cat, Princess Nala.

 He was predeceased by his parents, Janis and Milda, and siblings Mirdza, Vizbulite, Gaida and Karlis in Latvia.

The family wishes to thank all those who cared for and supported both John and his family both with their professional expertise and wonderful humanity: The Visiting Nurses Association of Vernon and Companions Forever Home Care Services. There are too many to mention everyone individually.Thank you for your compassion and dedication to your calling. Thank you one and all!

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Transfiguration Romanian Orthodox Church, 2 Winter Street Manchester, CT.  Calling hours will be one hour prior, at 10 am at the Holy Transfiguration Romanian Orthodox Church. Burial will follow in East Cemetery, Manchester.

Memorial donations in Janis (John) Krumins name may be made to the Latvian Association Daugavas Vanagi ASV c/o Richard Krumins, 48 Stock Place, Manchester, CT 06042

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