Philip Simon

Philip C. Simon VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Philip C. Simon, 78, passed away Nov. 13, 2008, in his Virginia Beach home. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Feb. 7, 1930, to the late Philip and Mary Simon. Philip was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 54 years, Joan C. Simon; four children, Lorraine Dunlap and husband Blair of Virginia Beach, Robert Simon and wife Donna of Virginia Beach, Donald Simon and wife Annie of Charlottesville, Va., U.S. Marine Corps Major Thomas Simon and wife Anna of Virginia Beach; nine loving grandchildren, Christian and wife Stacey, Joseph and wife Christine, Ryan, Elizabeth, John, Christopher, Jonathan, Savannah and Connor; and four great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Mikenna, Aidan and Anika. Philip was a retired Navy commander. He was a member of NROTC and was commissioned as an ensign upon graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952. He served his country honorably for 26 years until his retirement in 1978. His duty stations included the USS Cony, USS Truckee, USS Graham County, Staff COMSERVON 2, BUPERS, USS Coral Sea, OPNAV, USS Sacramento, USS Braine, staff CINCPAC and staff CINCLFANTFLEET. Decorations include the Naval Unit Commendation for Duty aboard the USS Coral Sea in 1965, the Navy Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one star, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with four stars, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. From 1978 to 1991 he worked as a functional analyst with Planning Research Corporation, which included service in support of the Navy in Bahrain during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. A funeral will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, 1457 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach. The family will receive friends Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. in the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Milner's Road, Suffolk. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.