John C. Simon, Sr., age 76, passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 surrounded by his loving family at Saints Medical Center in Lowell following a long courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of 45 years to the late Janice M. (Cox) Simon who passed away in 2004.
He was born in Lowell on October 15, 1933, a son of the late Charles and Mildred (Coudy) Simon. John resided in Nashua, NH for the past 15 years and was formerly of the Highlands section of Lowell. Devout to his Orthodox faith, he was a member of St. George's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lowell.
John graduated from Lowell High School in 1951 and attended Lowell Tech Insitute. John was an outstanding basketball, track and football athelete. He served in the United States Army stationed in Paris for 2 years.
He was the past president of the Callery Park Baseball League in Lowell where he coached and umpired for many years. John was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He was an exceptional family man who loved spending time and vacationing in Florida and Aruba with his children and grandchildren.
Prior to his retirement, John was employed in the Engineering Department with Raytheon in Lowell for over 33 years. Upon his retirement, he worked part-time with Peters Honda in Nashua, NH for nearly 12 years.
John is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Simon of Litchfield and Mariellen Tsaousis and her husband, Fotis of Tewksbury; three sons, George Simon of Lowell, John Simon, Jr, of Dracut and Eric Simon of Lowell; a sister, Florence Beede and her husband, Calvin of Lowell; a brother, Frederick Simon and his wife Elaine of Tewksbury; 10 grandchildren, Deena, Peter and John Tsaousis, Jennifer, Stephany, Jake, Alexis and Matthew Simon, and Emma and Trevor Simon; two brothers-in-law, Christopher Cox and his wife Pat and Richard Kopycinski all of Lowell; a sister-in-law, Tina Shaffer and her husband Frank of Merrimack, NH; His Godson, Chuck Gosson of Manchester, NH; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and several close friends. He was the brother of the late George Simon, Mary Valorose, Evelyn Willis and Olga Sahley.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. George P. Meltsakos for his unwavering commitment towards John & his family. Also to the great Nursing Staff at Saints Medical Center.
Relatives and friends may call at the M. R. LAURIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 295 Pawtucket St., Lowell on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 4 to 8pm. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday morning at 10 o'clock at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Lowell. Interment in Westlawn Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the St. George Antiochian Church, 44 Bowers St., Lowell, MA 01854 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701.