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RYE BROOK, N.Y. – Lou Simon of Rye Brook died Aug. 5. He was 94.
Simon was born Aug. 19, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1937. He then attended night classes at the University of Connecticut at Storrs while working at Pratt & Whitney and taking flying lessons during the day.
During World War II, Simon served as a pilot in the Air Transport Command, ferrying bombers to London and leading an engineering squadron in the 9th Air Force. His wife of 66 years, Marjory "Marj," also loved flying. They built a successful business together, constructing more than 700 homes, condominiums and apartments in Westchester County.
In addition to flying, Simon loved cars and dogs. His auto collection spanned Plymouths to Porsches, as well as miniature gas-powered vehicles that his kids and grandkids drove on the private roads near his home at Sky Meadow Farm in Purchase. He also adopted dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Simon is survived by his wife; two children, JoAnn "Jan" (Mark) Vinikoor, of Harrison, and Joel (Rosemae) Simon, of Scarsdale; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Simon's family said that he lived his life with a quiet intensity, interrupted only by the onset of Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
A memorial service was held Wednesday morning at Community Synagogue of Rye. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to "Neu Experiences in Art," a program for those with Alzheimer's disease at Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase.
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