Nikolay Kurmakov, 68, passed away unexpectedly on October 1, 2020. Nikolay was born on December 17, 1951 in Kiev, Ukraine to his parents, Ivan and Yelena Kurmakov. Former Soviet crew champion, he met his wife of 45 years, Larisa (Zalevskaya), while rowing. They were married on December 31, 1974 and welcomed two sons, Aleksey and Andrey. After immigrating to the United States in 1992, Nikolay joined the rowing community of Boston, MA. He touched the lives of many rowers as a Head Coach of Simmons College and Head Women's Sweep Coach at Riverside Boat Club. He taught his rowers and his children his philosophy "how we do anything is how we do everything" and inspired all those he touched to succeed not only in sport, but in all aspects of life. He continued his love for the sport as a masters rower and participated in many national and international races. Nikolay is survived by his wife Larisa; his sons Aleksey and Andrey; daughters-in-law Melissa Kurmakov and Zoe Weinstein; and grandchildren Grant, Max, and Reid (Aleksey and Melissa), Sofia (Andrey and Zoe). Also survived by his sisters, Valentina Kurmakova and Tatyana Chernova. Preceded in death by his sister, Nadya Goreina. Visitation to be held at Bell-O'Dea Funeral Home, 376 Washington Street Brookline, MA 02445 on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 10 am – 12 pm. Burial to follow, at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 96 Grove Street, Brookline, MA 02467. In lieu of flowers, please support Nikolay's passion for rowing by donating to Simmons University Friends of Simmons Crew: https://alumnet.simmons.edu/give-to-crew, In Honor/In Memory Of: Nik Kurmakov, please include "boathouse vision" in Comments. (COVID-19 guidelines with use of masks and social distancing will be followed at the funeral home)