Gene Simon

(I first met Gene Simon when we were both children living on Main Street.  My grandmother would take me up the street to the Simon home where Mr. Simon had a barber shop in the rear of his house.  Even though I was just a kid, Mr. Simon always talked with me as though I was an adult.  I was flattered.

The Simons lost everything in the years leading up to WWII and were lucky to escape Europe with their lives and come to America from their native Romania.

Gene’s dad used to recount stories of their lovely village in Romania and even painted a picture from memory of their home that they missed so much

. 

In America the couple was determined to provide opportunity for their children.  Mr. Simon worked two jobs, one as a security guard and the other as a barber in his own shop on Main Street.

Gene came from great parents.--- Ed)

WhenGene Simon graduated Girard High he wanted to eventually become an Orthodontist.  “My orthodontist in Youngstown was my role model since he had what seemed to be a good profession and a good life.  I did not know if I had the ability or educational background to accomplish that goal.” Gene says.

Gene did not realize the quality of the education he had received at GHS until early in his college career at YSU.  "All around me I witnessed Girard graduates excelling at YSU, up against the cream of the crop of some very classy high schools,” he explains.  “I think Pat Godec, Wolf Mathieson and many others in my class at GHS could have run circles around most of the top people I met at YSU, later in Dental School and even later in specialty residences. We had a very good education at GHS” 

“At Youngstown University, I used to talk to Steve Stephanic, while we were studying in the Library,” Gene says.  “Steve had been told he could not do college work.  When he was tired and wanted to go to sleep, those statements would keep him going a few hours more.  He showed the doubters. He has had a distinguished career and holds two masters degrees.” Gene says, proud of his classmate.

Following YSU Gene entered Ohio State Dental School to become a dentist, the first of several steps to become an Orthodontist.   After dental school he did a residence in Pediatric Dentistry at Children’s Hospital in Columbus and 9 years later for Orthodontics at the University of Detroit.  Gene had finally realized his Orthodontist goal.

“Life as an orthodontist has been pretty much as I expected,” he says. “It has been a good profession and provided me and my family a good life."  Gene explains that the best part of his profession has been the thanks from people whose lives have been changed by the improvement in their facial appearance.  "I have been in the Toledo/Sylvania Ohio area since 1970.  I now get mothers and grandmothers coming in saying ‘you don’t remember me, but you fixed my teeth’   I have my child or grandchild for you now," Gene explains.

“It is amazing to see my patients text message while laying back in a dental chair; however, it does not beat watching Mr. Cramer, our chemistry teacher, pour coffee from his thermos into a cup, while driving a car on the turnpike,” he jokes.

Gene and wife Carol have been married for 36 years.  Each had had a previous marriage and have 3 children, (his, hers and theirs).

Son David lives in New York City, is married to his high school sweetheart Lisa and has two children Lily and Zoe. 

Son Jeff lives in West Palm Beach Florida and manages a car auction. 

Daughter Audrey recently moved to the Detroit area, is a practicing attorney and will soon be married to Todd, a pediatrician.

“The coming marriage keeps my wife very busy,” he declares., “Luckily I have stayed out of the loop.”

It is not all work in the Simon household.  Gene enjoys golf, photography and he has become a designer of functional dental offices.  He has designed 7 thus far. 

He and Carol have a house in Naples FL where they try to spend two weeks a month during colder months, returning to work the other two weeks.

Travel has been another important part of the Simon activities.  “We have been to most of the world except Africa and Eastern Europe----so I have not been to my ancestral village in Romania.  Our favorite places are Israel and Italy----the history is amazing,” Gene explains.

“I remember Ed DeChant asked me to go flying with him in a small airplane sometime after graduation in the early 60’s.  I was not sure it would be safe.  Little did I guess what kind of planes he would eventually pilot.” Gene jokes.   (As I remember it Gene did not go flying that day.  Ye of little faith.—Ed)

While looking at the school web site Gene asks “Who are all these old, grey, heavy people.”  

Well, I don’t see your picture up there Gene.  Lets get one to me please---Take Good Care---Ed