Richard Howard Simonton Sr. or as his friends knew him, Rich,aged 72, died peacefully on Sunday, August 11, at Advent Health Hospice Center in Altamonte Springs, FL.

Rich is survived by his wife Margaret of Sanford, FL and his 14 children: Rose Rhea and her husband Jeff and their 6 children of Debary, FL; Laura Anderson and her 4 children of Debary, FL; Richard Jr. and his wife Lisa and their 2 children of Deltona, FL; Anne-Marie of Debary, FL; Robert of Debary FL; Daniel and his wife Teresa and their 7 children of St.Marys, KS; Teresa Jemison and her husband Gerard of Liverpool, NY; Kathleen Bednarski and her husband Jeffrey and their daughter of Liverpool, NY; Michael of Melbourne, FL; Patrick of St.Marys, KS; Stephen of Debary, FL; Maria of Sanford, FL; Elizabeth of Melbourne, FL; and Emily of Sanford, FL. He is preceded in death by his Parents, Robert and Mildred Simonton; his brother Ronald Simonton and his nephew Jeffrey Simonton.

Richard was born on March 26, 1952 in Castine, Maine to Robert and Mildred Simonton. He grew up in Rhode Island and then Boca Raton, FL, where he attended Florida Atlantic University and got his degree in accounting. After that he spent two years auditing cooperatives in Botswana, Africa, before coming back to the states to pursue a long career in credit union management both as a CFO and CEO, after which he transitioned to real estate and started his own brokerage. He was well respected in the banking and real estate community for his knowledge and honesty.

It was while working at a credit union in Jacksonville that he met and married his wife of 37 years, Margie. Together they raised 14 wonderful children and now have 21 beautiful grandchildren to add to the mix.

Rich was the kind of man who loved getting his hands dirty - a true DIY enthusiast. Bowling was a favorite pastime, as was reading bedtime stories to his youngest children and he could be seen walking the youngest on sleepless nights now and then. He was a proud patriarch, delighting in the simple pleasures of family life like his much-loved "Saturday night special" dinner of hot dogs, beans and mac 'n' cheese, always served with a generous dollop of ketchup. Hurricanes might have been a force of nature, but Rich was always ready to face them down, generator humming and supplies at the ready.

Rich's Pontiac Vibe, with its impressive 460,000 miles on the clock, was a testament to his practical, persevering nature. He was a sociable man, especially at church where a Boston crème donut was his
treat of choice. He was an active member in the Holy Name Society at St. Thomas More Church, where his children and grandchildren also attend school. His love for singing, nurtured during his choir boy days in Rhode Island, remained with him.

Sunday naps, steak and potato dinners, and a steadfast dedication to providing for his family were the rhythm of Rich's life. His absence is deeply felt!

In lieu of flowers please donate to:
St. Thomas More Academy