Published December 7, 2018
WAKEFIELD — Jonathan P. Simpson, 77, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Daniels House in Reading.
Born in Winchester on November 10, 1941, he was one of four children of the late Raymond and Lorna (Pratt) Simpson. Raised in Lynnfield, he graduated from Wakefield High School, Class of 1959, and from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1963. After graduation, Jon entered the Merchant Marine serving on motor vessels from the Mediterranean to the Pacific. While in the Merchant Marine, he served concurrently in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant JG. In late December back in ‘63 a very special time, he was married to Carol L. Bacon and they settled in Wakefield and started a family of four daughters.
After serving his country, Jon began his working life in the Turbine and Generator Division at General Electric in Lynn. Jon worked for GE for 19 years before moving to Stoneham-Webster Engineering in Boston. Hard working and intelligent, Jon traveled extensively while focusing on Nuclear Power Turbines throughout Asia. He finally retired following a successful mechanical and electrical engineering career that spanned over 30 years and several continents.
Jon spent so much time on boats growing up that he thought all houses “rocked.” He learned how to sail from his parents as original members of the Lynn Yacht Club. He continued his love for the water while serving in the Merchant Marine, and after starting a family in Wakefield, joined the Lake Quannapowitt Yacht Club where he served as Past Commodore, taught sailing classes, and raced every Sunday. A boats man his entire life, Jon could sail anything, and often brought his family along for the experience. He also served as the Past Commander of the Broad Sound Power Squadron, teaching boating education classes at the Lynn Yacht Club. With an engineer’s mind and years of experience on the ocean, Jon could fix anything, especially anything marine or mechanically related.
Jon was well versed in a broad range of subjects including history, and politics. A staunch Republican, he was a life member of the NRA, and life member of the Wakefield Lodge of Elks Club.
Always stoic and calm, Jon served as a quiet source of strength for his family, but had a quick sense of humor. He had a dry sense of humor with many clever one-liners he often repeated with joy. A man of routine, Jon had simple and predictable needs like peanut butter on toast in the morning, mac and cheese in the evening followed by a glass of scotch at the bar in the basement.
Jon lived a fulfilled life with no regrets. He was devoted to wife Carol, supportive of his daughters, and enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow. He will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered for his loyalty, patriotism, dry wit, and his enduring strong will.
Jon was the beloved husband of Carol L. (Bacon) Simpson with whom he shared nearly 55 years of marriage. Devoted father of Kristin McGregor-White and her husband John of Lynn, Michelle Jenkins and her husband Scott of Billerica, CJ Golding and her husband Mark of Wakefield, and the late Laurie Simpson. Dear brother of Kathy Simpson of Chelmsford, Christopher Simpson of Fla., and the late Karen Duggan. Loving grandfather of Ashley Pintone and her husband Vinny, Ryan McGregor, Elizabeth Jenkins, Nicholas Jenkins, Grace Jenkins, Alexander Golding, Jonathan Golding, the late Kenneth McGregor, and great-grandfather of Giovanni Pintone.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Jon’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, Dec. 4 and again for his funeral service celebrated on Wednesday. Interment in Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield. For directions, online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
