Gabriel "Gabe" Simon

Gabriel “Gabe” Simon, 87,  longtime Shrewsbury resident, local businessman and generous philanthropist passed away peacefully with his family at his side, Friday, April 21st 2017 after a brief period of declining health.  Born in Worcester, Gabe was one of two sons of Norman and Sadie (Chavoor) Simon. He grew up in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester graduated from South High School as a standout Basketball Player.  As a young boy, Gabe attended with his friends the Ionic Avenue Boys Club, where he learned the game of Basketball and became a integral member of  the “Whiz Kids” the Boys Club basketball team that won 19 straight games.  In 1947, at the Boys Club of America “All Star Game” Gabe won the Basketball free throw competition with 59 of 60 free throws made.   He continued to this day to be an exceptional financial and passionate supporter of all things Boys and Girls Club of Worcester. After graduation from South High he accepted a job with Searle-Corey Electrical where he could work and still be involved with the Boys Club.  A well-known basketball recruiter in the City offered Gabe and opportunity to go to College with Becker Junior College where he could earn his degree in Business, play basketball and work for his family’s market.  He became the Becker Junior College Basketball teams Captain where he led the team in scoring.  Shortly after Gabe graduated from Becker, the Marines drafted him into service, where Worcester native and legend Red Lemire, recruited him to play basketball for the Marine Corps “Cherry Point Flyers”.   Upon his discharge, Gabe returned to Worcester and his families market.  Beginning a family of his own at this time Gabe, accepted a position with a car dealer Peter Fuller Cadillac, where he stated “Life was Good”.  Shortly thereafter, Gabe and his brother Chick established Simmco Corporation to finance marine and mobile homes for people.  They then partnered with another local businessman and financed their first Dunkin Donuts franchise.  To this day the partnership own many franchises in Central Massachusetts. He has also had positions as New England district manager for Dunkin Donuts Corporate in Rhode Island and served on many Dunkin Donut corporate committees, local and area community organizations and any organization that needed his help.   Among his other involvements were the Shrewsbury Lions Club, Marine Corps league and the Victor R. Quaranta Post 453 in Shrewsbury, where he was also  served as commander.   Feeling in his youth, the Boys Club and Becker College enriched his life and gave him his direction; Gabe has over his life supported an enormous amount of local initiatives to benefit worthwhile endeavors, especially the Boys & Girls Club and Becker College, establishing in 2010 with its first award; the “Gabe Simon Award” a bi annual award to recognize stellar alumnus of the school who distinguished themselves in service to their community and to helping others in need, serving on the Board of Directors, and receiving a Honorary Doctorate in 2004. He did all these things, quietly, without fanfare and without looking for any notoriety.  His way of “giving back”.     He was honored with selection to the Boys, Girls Club hall of fame, the Becker college hall of fame, the New England Basketball hall of fame and St Mary Syriac Orthodox Church.   The Becker Junior College Alumni relations director put it best “With Gabe, you don’t even have to ask.  If a friend needs something, he’s smart enough to recognize it, compassionate enough to offer his help and then fixes the problem”  Gabe is survived by the family he loved so much, His loving daughter, Kimberly A. Panarelli and her husband Frank with whom, he lived; his sons, Michael A. Simon of Shrewsbury, Richard P. Simon and his wife Nancy of Worcester;  his brother, business partner and best friend Charles “Chick” Simon of Shrewsbury; several grandchildren who referred to him as “Gramp” including, Nicholas whom he had a special close relationship, Shawn and Rick;  Several  great grandchildren, including his pride and joy, Lillyanna; Nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of friends who loved him dearly, including Rose Dumont, his corporation general manager, special friend and the person who assisted him in so many ways .   His 20 year Love and companion Joanne (Daboul) Cellucci with whom he lived and shared his life passed away in 2007, sister in law, Anne Marie Simon passed away in 2006 and former wife and mother of his children, Madeline (LaBerge) Simon passed away in 2011.   Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Thursday, April 27th 2017 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  Reverend Maroutha Hanna will celebrate his funeral service at 11:00 am Friday, April 28th in St. Mary’s Syriac Orthodox Church, 1 Industrial Dr.  Shrewsbury. “Please go directly to church’    Burial will follow in Mt View Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in Gabe’s name to the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester,  65 Tainter St, Worcester, MA 01610.