Robert Simon

Robert Simon passed away on Sunday May 7th of natural causes, just a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday. He was a lifetime New Yorker, World War II veteran, career automobile salesman and general manager, and most importantly, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

Funeral services were held on May 9th at Beth Moses Cemetery in West Babylon, NY.

He was born in New York City to hard-working Russian immigrants Esther and Jacob Simon. His father was a laborer in the hat making industry while his mother ran neighborhood stores, including restaurants. He was predeceased by his older brother Leon and younger brother Bernard.

Following education in the New York City public schools, he entered the work force, but in November of 1942 enlisted in the Army Air Corps following the U.S. entry in the World War. He received his initial training at several bases in the U.S. before being posted to the European Theatre of operations in London for the duration of the war. He served a total of 3 ½ years, receiving his discharge in December 1945, several months after the war’s end.

Returning to New York, in September of 1946 he married his sweetheart Rosalyn Coopersmith of the Bronx, NY, whom he had met prior to entering the service. In the early married years, like many young couples in New York during the post-war housing shortage, they lived with her parents, Morris and Pauline Coopersmith, until settling into their own home in the Bronx in 1951. There they raised two young sons Stuart and Leonard.

Robert pursued a number of career options until settling into the automobile industry in 1955, where he worked for the next 50 years as a salesman and general manager for New York metropolitan area-based auto dealerships. Among his accomplishments in his field was helping to usher in imported cars into the New York market in the mid-60’s, including sought after brands such as Volvo, Saab, BMW and Rover.

Rosalyn Simon passed away in 1999. In 2005, Robert began a friendship with Trudy Spielvogel, which blossomed into a companionship that lasted almost twenty years. The resided together in Bayside, New York, where her devotion to him, along with their love of music, among many other shared interests, made the last two decades of his long life very happy ones.

In addition to his sons Stuart (Sheri) of Plainview NY and Leonard (Linda) of Croton on Hudson New York, he is survived by five grandchildren Matthew, Jonathan (Tara), Timothy (Sarah), Alison Bock (Jon), and Mallory; and three great-grandchildren Ruby and Oliver Simon and Brody Bock. He is mourned by them all.

Robert lived a long and meaningful life of hard work, family and friendship. He was welcome company to all, engaging all with his talent for songs and stories almost to the end of his years. He will be missed and remembered by all who knew him. His will to live, determination to stay active, strength, tenacity, and goodwill is an example for one and all.