In Memoriam: Former Area Police Officer, Fireman, Antique Car Enthusiast, Kevin Arban, 68

Former area police officer, fireman, antique car enthusiast and Holy Cross and Christian Brothers Academy grad, Kevin Anthony Arban, of Oceanport, passed away on Thursday, July 7, his family by his side. He was 68.

Services are now planned and set for Saturday, July 30 (see below).

Kevin Arban
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Kevin joined the Oceanport Hook & Ladder Fire Company when he turned 18, and was currently in his 50th year of dedicated service. He was also a life member in the Oceanport First Aid Squad, joining at age 21. In 1973, he was a police dispatcher in Oceanport. He graduated from Monmouth County Police Academy in 1976 and joined the Oceanport Police Department as a patrolman, retiring at the rank of Detective in 1988. He was a member of the Oceanport Emergency Management (OEM), and the Eatontown Elks Lodge #2402 … He had wonderful memories working on his grandparent’s horse farm in Freehold. He was driving a tractor on the farm when he was only nine years old … An avid antique car enthusiast, Kevin was skilled in mechanics. He attended many car shows, was a member of the AMCOMC (Antique Motoring Club of Monmouth County) and was the proud owner of a 1930 Ford Model A.”
Loved ones of Kevin Arban in his obituary

Born in Paterson to Anthony and Jacqueline Geraldine Arban, he attended Passaic Collegiate School in Passaic, Holy Cross Academy in Rumson and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy High School in Lincroft in 1972.

Aside from being a police officer, Kevin had many jobs in his lifetime. Worked at a Howard Johnson’s on the NJ Turnpike and then KMart in West Long Branch, which is where he met his future bride, Joy Cass.

He continued working at many different jobs; Becker’s Tree Service in Oceanport, West Marine in Eatontown, D&D Landscaping in Long Branch, Oceanport Landing in Oceanport, NJ Turnpike, and at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch as a bus driver and mechanic in charge of bus maintenance.

Kevin was predeceased by his father, Anthony J. Arban.

He is survived by: his loving mother, Jackie Arban; his devoted wife, Joy Cass Arban; his caring daughter, Kristen Herbert and husband Adam; his grandson, Emmett Herbert; his brother, Jeffrey Arban and wife Susan; his lifelong best friend, Tom Sannelli; his former sister-in-law, Ginny Arban; three nephews, Frank Arban and wife Pam, Michael Arban and wife Merissa, Jonathan Arban and wife Michele; and great nephews and nieces.

Family and friends may attend a memorial gathering at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank on Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a service commencing at 11. Please join family & friends afterward at the Oceanport Hook & Ladder Firehouse, 21 Main Street, Oceanport to continue to celebrate the life of Kevin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kevin’s memory to the Oceanport Hook & Ladder Company, PO Box 2, Oceanport, NJ 07757.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home