Russell Wade Simonsen

Russell Wade Simonsen, born Dec. 2, 1951 in Gilroy, CA, passed away Saturday, May 19,2012 at his home in Morgan Hill. He had just returned from seeing his beloved children Keith and Kelly Simonsen earlier that day and playing a round of golf with his many friends at the Gilroy Golf Course. He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth (Rhodes) Simonsen and by his adoptive mother Bonnie L. Simonsen. He is survived by his daughter Kelly Simonsen and his son Keith Simonsen, both of Los Angeles, his father Harry Simonsen of Morgan Hill, brothers and sisters Jeanne Alkire (Randy Beaver), Laurie Perez (David Perez), Christian Simonsen (Karen Simonsen), Eric Simonsen (Carol Simonsen), and Sean Simonsen (Michele Simonsen). He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews: Anthony and Godson Steven Perez (Laurie), Nathaniel and Julia Lierly (Jeanne), Christian and Daniel Simonsen, Karri Pape, and Jodi Satterlee (Christian), Melody and Laura Simonsen (Eric), and Sean and Valerie Simonsen (Sean). He leaves behind his Uncle Ed Johnson and Sandy Johnson, Ruth Johnson, step-brother Ed Thorp, and cousins Christopher Linthurst, Jennifer Linthurst, Christie Gamble, Judy Guardino, Paul Corbin, and Patty Lua. He was especially close to his brother-in-law David Perez and sister-in-law Karen Simonsen. He leaves behind many beloved friends at his work and on the golf course. He was married to Penny Simonsen of Merced, the mother of his children, and to Joni Simonsen of Morgan Hill, with whom he had been married for 23 years. He was born in Gilroy, but had spent almost 15 years in Stillwater, Minnesota as a youth where he obtained a love of fishing and camping. Moving to Ecuador, he lived in Guayaquil for several years before joining the family business Simonsen Laboratories of Gilroy, CA in 1974 as Operations Manager. In 2003, he joined his brother's company as facilities manager of Sierra BioSource, and when Sierra was acquired by Serologicals Corp and Millipore Corp, Wade joined Aragen BioScience in 2007. He had battled prostate and colon cancer for the last 3 years and had only recently cut back in his work. He lived in Hollister for many years in the country he loved so much. He was a devoted and loving father and was happiest when with his children. We are especially grateful that he spent the last night of his life with them. An avid fisherman, camper, golfer, pilot and accomplished chef, Wade loved nothing more than being able to work, play golf, camp in his RV, and barbecue with his family. Although he had been through significant health issues, he was positive in his outlook and a joy and inspiration to his co-workers, friends and family. He was looking forward to visiting Hawaii next month with daughter Kelly and her significant other Jordan, and to golfing with his dear friends in Hawaii, after which he was scheduled to fly with his brother to Alaska in their plane and spend a week on the water with their sons Keith, Christian, and Dan catching fish, watching wildlife, and cooking. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues. Services will be held at the Johnson Funeral Home at 11:00 AM Thursday May 24 followed by a reception and celebration of Wade's life to be held at 1PM at the Gilroy Golf Course. Donations to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (W.E.R.C.) may be made in lieu of flowers (http://www.werc-ca.org/html_alt/donating.html).