Obituary

Jack Simon, of Chippewa Twp., a native of Ellwood City, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2020 in Elmcroft of Chippewa.

Born January 20, 1934 in Ellwood City, son of the late Frank J. and Sara K. Simon, he dedicated a lifetime to family and community service.  Jack was honored in 1990 as Beaver County Man of the Year in recognition of service to the community. 

Jack was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Ellwood City and Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, where he was Sports Editor of the Duquesne Duke, the University’s weekly newspaper.  He had an outstanding career in newspaper reporting and editing, community, and government relations and personnel administration.  He was recognized for his interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels.  He served as a Public Speaker for many events.

He started his career as a Reporter and Photographer for the Painesville Ohio Telegraph.  He joined the New Castle News in 1955 as the Ellwood City Bureau Manager, went on to becoming a prize-winning county government and police reporter and later was elevated to City Editor. He was employed by the Beaver County Times in 1966 as Chief Copy and News Editor and was a member of the editorial staff of the first Sunday edition of the Times. He was a former News Correspondent for the Associated Press and United Press International. 

Jack left the Times to become Director of Personnel and Public Relations at Aliquippa Hospital, then Director of Employment at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.  He was employed by the Medical Center of Beaver County, now Heritage Valley-Beaver, as the Director of Community, Media, and Government Relations until his retirement. 

Among his many affiliations were President of the Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association, Job Training for Beaver County, Beaver County Rehabilitation Center, Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Penn Dot Community Advisory Board, and the Chippewa Riviera Condominium Association.  Jack was Secretary of the Beaver County Hospital Authority, member of Beaver County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Beaver County DUI Advisory Board, Beaver County Children and Youth Services Advisory Board, and past President, Route 18 Corridor Advisory Panel (RECAP), Beaver Initiative for Growth Task Force, Beaver County Festival of Trees steering committee, Ellwood City Hungarian Home, Ellwood City After-Prom Committee, LMBA Club of New Galilee, Highland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5945, Midland American Legion Post 0481, Knights of Columbus Council 13564, fourth degree member of Assembly 936, and the Lake Milton, OH, Boat Club, where he was past Commodore.  He was a member of the Beaver County Democratic Committee and Campaign Manager for County Commissioner Joe Spanik. 

A former South Beaver Township Supervisor and Auditor, he was past President of the Upper Beaver Valley Council of Government and Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Government.  Jack was past President and charter member of the South Beaver Twp. Recreation Board and co-founder and long-time coach of the township’s baseball and softball program.  He was past President of the Western PA Personnel Society and the PA Personnel Society of the Hospital Association of PA, past Vice President of the Pennsylvania Jaycees, former member of the Board of Directors of the Midland Development Corporation, Beaver Area, Ambridge Area and Midland Area Chambers of Commerce.  He also was past President of the Beaver County Tourist Promotion Agency and co-founder of the Beaver County Festival of Trees. 

Jack began a six year term as Chippewa Twp. Auditor in 2006.  For many years, he was a Radio and Public Address Announcer for many sporting events, including Blackhawk football.  He was also a past member of the Blackhawk Quarterback Club.

Jack was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church (currently St. Monica’s) where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and President of Parish Council.  He also served as Chairman of the church’s 150th Anniversary Celebration.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma L. Simon; an infant sister, Joan Marie Simon; two brothers, David L. Simon and William Simon; a nephew, Brett David Simon; a brother-in-law, Leo Palmgren; and two sisters-in-law, Nancy Simon and Shirley Jayne Simon.

Surviving are five children, Janette and her husband Jack Wilson of Atlanta, GA, Jett Simon of Pine Beach, NJ, Jeff Simon and his wife Sylvia of Chippewa Township, Jay Simon and his wife Jennifer of Bradford Woods, and Judd Simon and his wife Paula of Big Beaver; ten grandchildren, Josh Simon, Michael Leopardo, Jill Stafford, Justin Simon, Jenna Simon, Justine Simon, Jonah (Taylor) Simon, Jacey Simon, Jared Simon and Jayne Simon; two great-grandchildren, Kaison and Aleena; a sister-in-law, Maxine Palmgren; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received on Friday from 2pm-6pm in Founders Hall at St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church- 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls PA 15010 followed by a mass of Christian burial at 6:30pm. Fr. John Naugle will officiate. Due to Covid-19 and in accordance with CDC guidelines, masks MUST be worn at all times at both the visitation and the mass of Christian burial.  Social distancing will also be enforced. 

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Norma Simon ALS Patient Equipment Fund in Jack’s name.  Contributions should be mailed to the ALS Association of Western PA Chapter- 416 Lincoln Avenue, Millvale PA 15209.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Elmcroft of Chippewa for all of the loving care they provided to Jack.