Leroy “Lee” M. Simons, 91, of East Hartford, beloved husband for 67 years of Pauline (Reynolds) Simons, went to be with our Lord on Monday, January 20, 2020 surrounded by his loving family at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. Born in New Britain on August 17, 1928, he was the son of the late George and Margaret (Larsen) Simons and had lived in East Hartford since 1959. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, Lee worked at Pratt & Whitney as a machinist for 39 years. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved playing Yahtzee with his family members. He also was a talented carpenter and liked working on the family automobiles. He will be remembered as someone who was always willing to help family and friends at any time.
More than anything, Lee was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be forever missed by his loving wife Pauline; three daughters, Sherrie Simons of Vernon, Debbie Massey and husband Kevin of North Granby, and Linda Colturi and husband John of East Granby; a son, David Simons and wife Jackie of St. Cloud, FL; five adored grandchildren, Bryan Massey and wife Jody of Townsend, MA, Jen Grillo and husband Glauco of Berkeley Heights, NJ, Tim Massey and fiancée Rebecca Shutt of Townsend, MA, Jared Colturi and wife Mary of Ellington and Jess Marsalisi and husband Ryan of Columbia; and his five cherished great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert Simons, and Richard Simons and wife Shirley, all of Berlin; his sister, Barbara Karoll of Kensington; a special brother-in-law, Worthy Reynolds and wife Jackie of Morgan, VT; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Anderson of Farmington, Joyce Carter and husband Mike of Palm Coast, FL, and Connie Reynolds of East Hartford; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Lee’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain for their professionalism, care, compassion, and love given to Lee and his entire family.
Funeral service celebrating Lee’s life will be Friday (January 24, 2020) at 1 pm at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will be Saturday (January 25, 2020) at 9 am at the State Veterans’ Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. Lee’s family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home chapel on Friday afternoon from 12 noon – 1 pm. Memorial contributions in Lee’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. To share a memory of Lee with his family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.
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Wounded Warrior ProjectP.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675
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