Edwin Simonson

Edwin Simonson, a long time resident of Port Orchard, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. Ed was known for his love of motorcycles, having owned and driven everything from a Honda 90 to his pride and joy, a Honda Goldwing full dress cycle. In his 70's, after the size and weight of the Goldwing became too much for him to handle, Ed was often seen traveling around Port Orchard on his white Honda Helix scooter heading to Dave's café for breakfast. Ed's real passion was woodworking. Ed accumulated a variety of tools over the years including his prized Shopsmith. It was not uncommon to find everything in the garage covered by a thin, or thick, coating of sawdust. Ed started by making simple puzzles and cars from wood and, as his skills improved, created more complex furniture and toys. Everything he made was created for the simple pleasure of doing it. Ed would paint his creations with whatever colors appealed to him, or he had on hand, at the time. It didn?t matter to Ed what someone else thought the creation should be or should look like. He did it his way, for his pleasure. He would display his creations with pride on shelving he built in his family room. Ed also enjoyed RV'ing. His favorite camps were at Elma and Sequim where he would take his Mini-Winnie or, in later years, his Southwind motorhome for short stays. He enjoyed meeting old friends and was quick to make new ones everywhere he went. Ed could be perceived as being a bit grumpy, but he always had a twinkle in his eyes. When he looked at you with that wry little smile and those soft eyes, you instantly knew that the slightly grumpy exterior was Ed's way of getting your attention so he could show you the warm and soft person he was inside. Edwin Simonson was born on February 25, 1919 in Minot, North Dakota. He lived a simple farming life, tilling the soil and harvesting crops, while he grew up on the family farm outside Deering, North Dakota. Ed joined the U.S. Army during World War II and was shipped out to Sacramento, California for basic training. He became a member of the Military Police (MP's) and was stationed at Adak Island in the Aleutian Island Chain of Alaska. After his Honorable Discharge, Ed returned to Minot and worked for Borstad Motors. As with many veterans of his generation that were born in the Midwest, Ed moved to the West Coast in search of employment. Ed found employment as a marine electrician at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. Ed worked out of Shop 51 for 26 years until he retired in 1974. In 1955, Ed married the former Sylvia Ardele Baker, also of North Dakota. The couple made their home in Burien where Sylvia taught in a local elementary school. Ed made the daily commute with other "Yard Birds" on the Seattle-Bremerton ferry run until they moved to Bremerton Gardens near Manette on the Washington Narrows. In 1963, with the help of GI Bill financing, they moved into their dream home in the new housing development of Parkwood near Port Orchard. Ed lovingly maintained that home for over 40 years until the day he suffered his stroke. Even after his 80th birthday, Ed could be seen on the roof of his house picking out moss from underneath the shingles with a screwdriver. After his stroke in 2003, Ed became a resident at Ridgemont Terrace Nursing home. The loving and caring staff at Ridgmont Terrace made Ed feel like a member of the family. He behaved like the rascal he was, but always with a turn of smile and a glance from those deep and loving eyes. He made it a point to reach out to the staff with a greeting and a hand. They returned that invitation in so many loving and caring ways for which we as Ed's family cannot begin to thank them enough. We really appreciate each one of you who made Ed's last years so full of love and caring. Ed is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sylvia Simonson. Sylvia is a resident of Manor Care Nursing Home in Gig Harbor. He is also survived by their son, Ronald Simonson, and daughter-in-law Jean Simonson (Sederberg). Ed and Sylvia also have two adult grandchildren, Jason Simonson, living in Orting, Washington and Stefanie Simonson, who resides in Houston, Texas. An informal viewing and gathering with refreshments will be held at Noon on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 in Rill's Life Tribute Center, 1151 Mitchell Avenue in Port Orchard. Family and friends will then proceed by motorcade to a brief graveside service at 1:30PM at Sunset Lane Cemetery. Friends and neighbors are welcome and invited to participate in either gathering.