Andrew Joseph Simso, Jr

Master Builder

Andrew (Cotter) Joseph Simso, Jr, 91, of Rowayton and Norwalk since 1943, died October 8. He was born on November 27, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minn., where he was a star basketball player and also lettered in diamond ball and football for the Boy’s Vocational High School.

He is survived by three sons, including David, and his wife Pamela, of Newtown; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; three sisters; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Marie (Lipoma) Simso.

A World War II Coast Guard veteran, Mr Simso served from 1941 to 1945 on the USS Pride and was stationed at the Greensledge Lighthouse off Rowayton.

He was a master builder, ending his career as a foreman for the Norwalk Housing Authority.

Mr Simso was an avid bowler for Solhiem Builders at Rip Van Winkle Bowling Alley. One of the original founders of Brookside Boy Scout Troop #61, in 1955, he was a guidance and inspiration to many boys.

He was a member of St Matthews Church. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 12. Burial with full military honors was at St John Cemetery, Norwalk.

Memorial donations may be made to Vitas Hospice, 99 Hawley Lane, Suite 1204, Second Floor, Stratford CT 06614.

The Newtown Bee        October 14, 2011