Aaron I. Simon

SIMON, DR. AARON I., 93, of Palm Beach, FL, passed away Monday, January 21, 2008, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Prospect, KY. Aaron, affectionately known all his life as, "Arely," was born in Montgomery, WV, the youngest of six children of Ellis and Minnie (White) Simon. The family moved to Cleveland, OH, and Aaron received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Ohio State University. In 1942, Aaron married his beloved wife of 65 years, Marcia (Falk) Simon, the daughter of Morris and Bessie Falk, of Leominster, MA. He then departed to serve in World War II as a medical officer in the army's Second Infantry Division, participating in the invasion of Normandy, as well as serving in Ireland and Czechoslovakia. He completed his service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following the War, Aaron completed his residency training at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York. He then opened his practice of orthopedic surgery in Fitchburg, MA. During his professional years, he served as the president of the Burbank Hospital Staff Organization and president of the Worcester County Medical Society and donated many professional hours to the free orthopedic clinic. Upon his retirement from his surgical practice, Dr. Simon devoted his time to establishing and directing the Burbank Hospital's Department of Rehabilitation. Dr. Simon also served the community as a member of the Leominster School Committee. He was a member of Congregation Agudas Achim in Leominster, MA. Aaron was preceded in death by his son, Richard Simon (Marlene); and his daughter, Hope Simon. He is survived by his daughter, Jean Bendon (Robert); grandchildren, Laura Kozikowski (Todd), Hilary Bendon Lobb (Tom), Meryl Bendon, Ariel Bendon, Julia Bendon, Benjamin Simon and Abigail Terry (Michael); and one great granddaughter, Anna Kozikowski. His funeral was held at the Levine Funeral Chapel, 470 Harvard St., Brookline, MA, on Wednesday. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hosparus of Louisville (formerly known as Hospice of Louisville), Bob Mueller, CFRE, vice president of development, Hospice of Louisville, 3532 Ephraim McDowell, Louisville, KY, 40205.