OBITUARY: ‘Larger than Life’ Walter C. Simon of Cocoa Beach Passed Away March 7 at Age 90

showed us how to live life and did so to the very end

Began his career with United Technologies and retired in 1993

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA– Walter C. (Wally) Simon of Cocoa Beach, Florida, died peacefully at home on March 7, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends.

Wally was born May 27, 1933, in Glastonbury, CT. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest C. and Violet S. Simon, and his sister Irene Annis.

He leaves behind a sister, Lorraine S. Watkins of Marlborough, CT, his wife, Nancy B. Haugh, and his four children: Marie Denise (Nisa) Callahan and husband Tom, Walter C. (Guy) Simon Jr., Michelle S. (Babe) Hartley and husband, James, and William C. (Willie) Simon.

A big part of Wally’s life were his many grandchildren; Tommy and Sean Callahan, Justin and Jolene Hartley, Angela and Mitchell Simon, Taylor, Cody, Cole and Nisa Simon, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind many “golden” friends, including Glynis Simon, Dick and Barbara Halloran, Helene Fox, and Don Ross.

Wally grew up in East Hartford, CT, attended East Hartford High School, was in the Air Force stationed in Orlando, FL, and graduated from the University of Hartford with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He began his career with United Technologies and retired in 1993. He then opened Simon Sports Car Center in Bolton, CT, with his two sons, where their focus was on Porsche restoration and mechanics.

Wally enjoyed spending time at his home in VT and his family cabin on the Maine coast. For a number of years, he was an active member of the Porsche Club of America, and true to his interests, he helped lead the Club as Track Chair.

He also, along with his first wife, Roberta Massey Simon, raised and showed Morgan horses.

He was proud of their accomplishment when their prize champion horse, Miss Roberta, was inducted into the CT Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame in 1990.

Wally was larger than life. He enjoyed Porsches, snowmobiles, quads, boats, horses, Rum and Diet Coke, definitely no chicken, and only Maine lobster.

He showed us how to live life and did so to the very end.

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