NATURAL BRIDGE – Paul Edgar Simser, 27391 North Croghan Road, died at home early Wednesday morning, February 15, 2012, under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.
Born in Natural Bridge on June 8, 1933, the son of Harrison & Grace McIntyre Simser. He graduated from the Carthage Augustinian Academy with the Class of 1951. He then served with the United States Army at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and in Alaska from 1953 – 1955, where he received the Good Conduct and National Service Medals. He was previously employed by the Carbola Talc Mine in Natural Bridge and the St. Regis Paper Company in Deferiet before working for the Laborer’s International Union of North America, Local No. 322, Massena, NY. After his retirement in 1988 he worked as a security guard at Crown Zellerbach in Carthage.
He was a lifelong resident of the area, he married Wanda Joyce Arnold on June 13, 1969 in Natural Bridge. He was a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox baseball team and the NASCAR #48 Lowes car, he enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends, especially in the Annual Don Camidge Euchre Tournament. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and was a member of bowling teams in Carthage and Harrisville. He enjoyed boating and gardening and making maple syrup. He was also an active member of the Natural Bridge Fire Department for over 35 years. He was a communicant of the St. Francis Solanus Church, Harrisville and a former parishioner, alter boy and trustee of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Natural Bridge.
Mr. Simser is survived by his wife Wanda, his children and their spouses; Rita & Jacke Langham, Jacksonville, Florida, Carol & Kirby Eldridge, Hephzibah, Georgia, James & Coralie Delles, Natural Bridge, Clifford & Barbara McIntosh, Harrisville and Paula & Danny Bigelow, Natural Bridge. Also surviving is his sister, Mrs. Elmer (Rita) Keenan, Carthage, his brother Robert Simser, North Syracuse, 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren with one more expected, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His is predeceased by three brothers, Donald, Lyle and George Simser and his sister, M. Gilda Lee.
A Funeral Mass with Military Honors will be held on Monday, February 20th at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert L. Decker officiating. Private family burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Natural Bridge. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 19thfrom 2 – 4 & 6 - 8 PM at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. www.lundyfuneralhome.com
Following the Funeral Mass, family and friends will gather at the Natural Bridge Community Center. Memorial donations can be made to the Natural Bridge Fire Department, Hospice of Jefferson County, Watertown or St. Francis Solanus Church, Harrisville.
