Benjamin Simon

Benjamin was born on January 23, 1930 in Bronx, NY to Abraham and Lena (Levinson) Simon. He entered the US Army in April 1951 and went on to defend his country in the Korean War, honorably discharged in April 1953. He earned a United Nations Service medal for his time in the Army. He went to trade school at NY Naval Shipyard College Extension for Electronics and immediately settled into civilian life as a US Naval and US Army Welder. He retired from the US Government in October 1986. Upon retirement he moved to Sunrise, FL where he continued to be a loving family man, raising his family, Allison (Simon) Gaines, Gerri (Simon) Nevins and Rachel (Simon) Lombardo as well as his oldest grandson, whom he looked at as a son, Eric Simon VanDine. He was blessed with all grandsons, Joseph Alexander, Tylor Aaron, John Logan, Zachary Scott and Nicholas Ryan. Benjamin was also an amazing father-in-law to Arnold Gaines and John F. Lombardo. He spent the last 29 years with his supportive partner, Linda Kaplan, whom he loved very much. He leaves behind 2 sisters, Rae (Simon) Lupo, Edith (Simon) Noble and a brother, Jack Simon as well as many nieces and nephews.

Benjamin centered his world around his family and his community service. He was also a huge fan of cruises with his partner Linda, which they went on numerous times over their 29 years together and seeing the world. Benjamin was a member of four veterans groups including Broward Veteran Council, Post Commander of American Legion Post 265, Post Quartermaster of the Jewish War Veterans Post 730. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, being a trustee for three years. He was an elected member of the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC), a board member of the board on Sunrise Lakes, a member of the SALT Council and a member of the Broward Coalition, Sunrise Florida. He loved keeping busy and owned a hosiery business in NJ and he also owned a small business Benar Sales. When he moved to Florida he trained as a locksmith and worked for the cities of Plantation and Sunrise (as a park ranger). Visiting his grandsons served as his great pleasure. He was a social butterfly and not only loved to stay active in his community but to chat with everyone that crossed his path, he never met anyone he couldn't hold a conversation with.

Benjamin is preceded in death by his father Abraham and mother Lena. He is survived by his three daughters, Allison Gerri and Rachel and his six grandsons Eric, Joseph, Tylor, John Logan, Zachary and Nicholas, and his sisters Rae, Edith and brother Jack as well as numerous nieces and nephews.