Friends of the late Thomas Arthur Simonsen Jr., 69, of Dover, may call on the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Torbert Funeral Home, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A second viewing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, with a religious service beginning at 11 a.m.
Mr. Simonsen died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Christiana Hospital, Newark.
Born July 17, 1940, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, he was the son of the late Thomas A. and Mildred J. Simonsen.
Mr. Simonsen was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, and was discharged in 1964.
He worked for AP Parts Company for 26 years, leaving as a regional sales manager in 1996. He then went to Brake Pro where he worked as a district sales manager for six years and retired in 2008 from Keller Truck Parts in Dover.
He was an honorary member of the Highland Engine Company No. 1, of Cornwall, N.Y., where he held the position of captain. He was a member of the Union Lodge No. 7 AF&AM of Dover; a 32nd degree Mason, Scottish Rite, Valley of Wilmington; a former member of the Nur Shrine Temple in New Castle, where he served twice as a personal aide and once as a chief aide to the potentate.
He was a former member of the Jesters, Patrol, and the First State Shrine Club and also a member of many other civic organizations.
Mr. Simonsen enjoyed traveling in his RV with his wife and family. He enjoyed restoring antique automobiles and spending time with friends and family.
Mr. Simonsen is survived by his loving wife and best friend of more than 49 years, Lynne Simonsen; a brother and sister-in-law, Dale H. and Charlotte Simonsen of Clinton, Mo.; two sons and their wives, Edward Scott and Laura Simonsen of Felton and Todd H. and Jane Simonsen of Marydel; and a daughter and son-in-law, Susan Lynn and David Nichol of Oxford, Pa.
He also is survived by 10 grandchildren, Meghan, Scott Jr., Chad, Michael, Christopher, Steven, Kaitlyn, Austin, Rebecca and Ryan; four great-grandchildren, Ella, Brayden, Dominick and Michael III; and numerous nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends.
Interment will be in the Sharon Hills Memorial Park, west of Dover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Simonsen’s name may be made to Union Lodge No. 7, 1478 Wyoming Mill Road, Dover, DE 19904, or the American Heart Association.
Letters of condolence may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.
