J. Daniel Simon

A resident of the Franke Home, Mt. Pleasant and previously a long time resident of Seabrook Island. Dan Simon, aged 93, died Thursday, January 22nd after a long battle with cancer. The relatives and friends of J. Daniel Simon are invited to attend his memorial service on Monday, January 26, 2015 in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL at 11:00 am. Burial will be private.

Dan was a graduate of the Ohio State University where he met his late wife, Gert. He leaves a son, Jed A. Simon, of Missoula, Montana, a son, Thomas M. Simon, and his wife Jeanne Shanahan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a daughter Jennifer Tsonas of Guttenberg, New Jersey, and a granddaughter, Nell Anne Simon of Dobbs Ferry, New York.

During WWII he saw active duty in the South Pacific as a Deck, Engineering and later Executive officer aboard LSM 40, an amphibious landing ship. His vessel participated, under fire, in numerous combat landings in New Guinea, the Philippine Islands and in Borneo.

During his business career, Dan served in various sales, marketing and executive positions with private and publicly held corporations engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of products for the care and development of infants and young children.

His corporate duties often involved extensive travel in Asia and the United States. He was a board member of the Toy Manufacturers Association and a member of their Infant Toy Safety Committee. He worked with the FDA and others to establish safety standards for infant accessories and playthings.

Dan retired in 1986 as Executive Vice-President of privately held Sanitoy, Inc. For several years he was co-owner of an advertising and marketing firm in NYC.

Always interested in civic affairs and improving public education, he served as an elected School Board member in two communities in which he formerly resided: Levittown, N.Y and Roslyn, N.Y.

In 1986, Dan and his wife re-located to Seabrook Island, SC. He was a member of the Board of the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association and later served on the Board of Governors of the Seabrook Island Club.

Dan was a firm advocate for social justice and fair play and served on the Board of the South Carolina American Civil Liberties Union during 2000 and 2001. He was a member of the Charleston chapter for many years.

In January 2011, the Simons moved to The Franke Home where Dan's wife, Gert, was cared for in the skilled nursing unit until she passed away in September 2011.

Dan continued living at Franke where he was involved in various resident activities. Dan was an independent and progressive thinker who generously supported charities and organizations which shared his beliefs.

Memorials may be made to the Habitat for Humanity, 1558 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.