Leonard Joseph Simon Jr.

Builder Chief Petty Officer Leonard Joseph Simon Jr., affectionately known as “Nickyboy,” answered his final call to duty and was peacefully called home on September 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of family at his residence in San Diego, California. He was 83 years old.

Born on August 19, 1943, in Gulfport, Mississippi, Leonard was the firstborn of the four Simon brothers. As the eldest, he naturally became an example to each of his brothers who followed, helping establish a family legacy of military service that would ultimately span multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces and continue through the next generation that would eventually include his own sons, Leonard III and Keith.

For Leonard, service was never simply a profession. It was a calling.

Drawn to the sea, adventure, and the opportunity to build something meaningful, he began his Navy journey as a young man and discovered a purpose that would last a lifetime. He proudly served as a United States Navy Seabee, earning the title of Builder Chief Petty Officer through decades of dedication, leadership, and hard work. Even after leaving active duty for a season, the Navy continued to call him back, and Leonard gladly answered.

Across more than three decades of military service, Leonard witnessed the Navy evolve through both the Vietnam War Era and the Persian Gulf War Era. Through changing missions, advancing technology, and a rapidly changing world, he remained steadfast in his commitment to service, adapting to every challenge while maintaining the values that made him a respected sailor, mentor, leader, and Chief.

A Seabee at heart, Leonard was a builder in every sense of the word. Whether constructing facilities around the world, mentoring sailors, supporting fleet operations, solving everyday problems, or leading by example, he found fulfillment in work well done. To Leonard, there was dignity in labor, pride in craftsmanship, and honor in leaving things better than he found them.

Retirement was never truly part of Leonard’s vocabulary.

Following his retirement from active military service on August 31, 1994, he continued serving the United States Navy through decades of civilian service with NAVFAC Southwest, ultimately retiring as a Facilities Tenant Liaison on September 30, 2025, after dedicating most of his adult life to the same mission he loved.

In the later years of his life, Leonard was blessed to find love again in his wife, Salome, who shared in the final chapter of his remarkable journey. Though their years together were fewer than some of life’s earlier seasons, her companionship and loving presence brought comfort during some of his most challenging days.

Outside of work, Leonard found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved deep-sea fishing, family gatherings filled with laughter and soul food, cheering for sports, watching Gunsmoke, and traveling to the Philippines, especially the beautiful shores of Boracay Island.

Perhaps fittingly for a Seabee whose life was shaped by the sea, many of his happiest moments were spent near the water, whether working upon it, sailing across it, or casting a fishing line in it beside friends and family.

Those who knew “Nickyboy” best understood that his favorite hobby was not simply fishing, traveling, or watching television. His favorite hobby was working.

He believed hard work was an expression of gratitude, service, and purpose. Whether in uniform, as a civilian employee, as a husband, father, brother, grandfather, mentor, or friend, Leonard lived a life of action and commitment.

Today we celebrate a man who spent his life building things that mattered: The Navy, spiritual walk, buildings, careers, friendships, communities, traditions, and FAMILY.

His watch is complete. May he now rest in calm waters and eternal peace.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Joseph Simon Sr. and Mildred Bernadette (Brooks) Simon; his brothers, Raymond “Poochie” Simon and James “Jimmy” Simon; his grandson, Joseph Junior Tuimavave (Keith); and his beloved wives and mother of his children, Polly Doris (Riggins) Simon and Vena Doreen (Webb) Simon.

CHERISHING HIS MEMORY

Leonard's greatest accomplishments were never measured by rank, title, medals, or years of service. They were found in the family he loved, the lives he influenced, and the legacy he leaves behind.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Salome Santiago (DeGuzman) Simon.

In the later chapters of his life, Leonard found love again with Salome. Together they shared companionship, faith, laughter, and the comfort that comes from finding someone willing to walk beside you through life's changing seasons.

He is also survived by his baby brother, Maurice Jerome “Tootsie Pat” Simon (Camelia) of Houston, Texas, and by the children who brought him immense pride: Gwendolyn Elizabeth Freeman (Alex); Leonard Joseph Simon III (Lara); Keith James Simon; Kevin John Simon; Paula Caisey (Elton “Rocky”); Carmencita Bishop (Darren); Shelton DeGuzman; and Marielle Angelika DeGuzman.

As a father, brother, grandfather, mentor, and friend, Leonard devoted himself to building strong foundations for those he loved. His legacy continues through generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family members, shipmates, friends, neighbors, and all whose lives were enriched by his wisdom, guidance, humor, generosity, and unwavering example.

CHOSEN FAMILY

Leonard believed family was created not only by birth, but through loyalty, friendship, and shared experiences. Among those he chose to love as family were:

Rudy Pinuelas, a lifelong civil-service colleague and cherished friend, and Paul Platt, his closest friend, always-ready fishing companion, who on countless days spent more days than not near the water with a fishing pole never far away. Their friendships, of over 20 years, was a testament to the kind of man Leonard was, steady, dependable, and always willing to make room for one more person around the table.

DUTY STATIONS / COMMANDS

• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• Okinawa, Japan

• Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE

• Naval Ocean Processing Facility, Adak, Alaska

• Diego Garcia Base Build-up

• Expeditionary Operations AWARDS & DECORATIONS

• Navy Commendation Medal

• Navy Achievement Medal, three awards

• Good Conduct Award, third award

• Navy Expeditionary Medal

• National Defense Service Medal

• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

• Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, four awards

• Expert Rifle

• Sharpshooter Pistol

CIVIL SERVICE LEGACY

Nearly three decades with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) as Facilities Tenant Liaison, retiring September 30, 2025.

SERVICE RECORD BRANCH

United States Navy

RANK AT RETIREMENT

BUC, E-7

ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE

30 years

DATES OF SERVICE

1961 - 1994

SPECIALTY / RATING

Builder Chief Petty Officer (BUC)

SPECIAL QUALIFICATION

Navy Enlisted Instructor, NEC 9502

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS

Diego Garcia Base Build-up / Expeditionary Operation

SERVICE ERAS

Vietnam War Era; Persian Gulf War Era