G. Paul Simon, 86, of Leechburg, PA, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

A son of the late Gasper Simon and Elizabeth (Szabo) Simon, he was born July 31, 1930, in Gilpin Twp., Armstrong County, PA.

Paul graduated from Leechburg High School and was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leechburg.  During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy.  He was employed with the Pennsylvania State Police from 1953-1985, having served as Station Commander at various stations including four years as Station Commander at Kittanning Station, retiring as Sergeant.  Paul was the first person to become a State Trooper from the area and retire back to his home area.

For eight years beginning in 1986, Paul was the Director of the Armstrong County Emergency Management Agency.  He assisted in the mitigation and recovery of many disasters including the Buckeye oil spill, (Freeport) and the Craigsville train derailment.  He was awarded a “Professional Certification” in emergency management from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.  After leaving the county, he worked for four years for the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a first responder to national disasters.

He was a member of the Gilpin Township Police Department and Leechburg Borough Police Department, retiring on October 31, 2006 with 50 years of police service.  His volunteer work included 13 years on the Armstrong County Housing Authority Board (two years as chairman), 10 years on the Leechburg Elks Drug Awareness Programs (three years as chairman), and presently was serving on Leechburg Borough Council.  In March 2008, he had been inducted into the Leechburg “Hall of Fame.”

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Virginia (Borrelli) Simon of Leechburg, PA; a son, Dr. Mark Simon, DDS, of Torrence, CA; a daughter, Lisa M. Shanta (Dale) of Freeport, PA; three grandchildren, Jora Mechling, Madison Shanta and Christian Shanta; and a great-grandson, Ronan Bann.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Michael, Frank and Louis Simon; and sisters, Mary McKee and Betty Druga.

Friends welcomed by his family on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 6-8 PM at Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main Street, Leechburg (724-842-1051).  Private funeral ceremonies will be held on Thursday with the Reverend James V. Arter III officiating.  Entombment following at Greenwood Mausoleum, 104 Melwood Road, Lower Burrell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 358 Main Street, Leechburg, PA 15656.

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