Robert “Bob” F. Simonsen

Robert “Bob” F. Simonsen, 73, a resident of Lee County since 1999, formerly of Malone, NY, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2018 under the care of Hope Hospice in Ft. Myers, FL. He was born September 7, 1944 in Malone, NY to the late Franklin Simonsen of Norway and Doris (Brooks) Simonsen of Malone, NY.

Bob was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church. He served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967. While with the Navy he was most proud of being a part of an Under Water Demolitions Team (UDT) and MOMAT 0322 conducting mine sweeping operations and other duties. He was stationed in Charleston, SC and deployed to Italy, Greece, Iceland and other foreign countries. After his Navy enlistment, in May of 1967, Robert became a reservist with the Battery A 1st How (155 SP) 186th Artillery Army National Guard Unit as a Powered Brigadier Specialist 12D40 and remained with the unit until he was honorably discharged in May of 1970. For over 30 years, Bob was a lineman with the New York Telephone Company/Verizon where he retired in 1999. He was an avid alpine and telemark skier, scuba diver and all around thrill seeker. He had many adventurous hobbies including skydiving, hand gliding, base jumping and many others. He also enjoyed many art working jobs including sign design for Moon Valley/Titus Ski Mountain, wood carving, painting, and sketching. Bob held many other jobs including working with ABC Sports during the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY, Descente Ski Clothing doing design work, coaching ski racers and more. He spent much of his time traveling to Norway to be with his loving family members living there and to be at many of the Olympic Games. He will always be remembered for the stories of his many adventures, his never ending ability to joke and his love for life and family.

He is survived by his loving four children, Christopher Simonsen, of Malone, NY, Mary Kay Simonsen and significant other John Reyell of Burke, NY, Mark Simonsen and significant other Lisa Bechard, of Constable, NY and Sten Simonsen of Ft. Myers, FL; five siblings, Franklin Simonsen and his significant other Yvonne of Welbourne, FL, Tove Olsen of Norway, Terje Simonsen and wife Lise of Norway, Tom Simonsen and wife Lisbet of Norway and Sonja Cavallius also of Norway; five grandchildren, Ashley, Bryana, Morgan, Mya and Aleah; three great grandchildren, Braylynn, Gabriel, and Flint; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as former wife, Julia Davies, of Ft. Myers.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Titus Mountain main lodge, 215 Johnson Rd., Malone, NY 12953 on Saturday May 5, 2018. Short services will begin at 2:30pm. If you have memories or stories about our father please feel free to share them with everyone. Following the service and spreading of the ashes there will be a gathering with snacks provided and the bar on site will be available for all.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Robert F. Simonsen are suggested to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Cir, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.