Nathan Simon

Nathan "Nate" Simon Age 87, 363 days

Born February 5, 1938 / Boston, MA
Passed peacefully on February 2, 2026 / Norwood, MA

surrounded by a lifetime of memories, deep family roots, and stories that—true to form—will continue to be told with equal parts pride and laughter.

Family and friends are invited to join us as we remember Nate.

From the time he was born, Nate was ingrained in family values and traditions. Family was not just important to him; it was everything. Raised in the Jewish faith,

Nathan was taught early on that showing up for family was not optional—it was simply what you did, no matter the circumstances.

He was the youngest of four son's born to Leo & Minnie Simon, formerly of Brookline, MA. Raised on the steps of Hazelton Street in a triple-decker home in the heart of Boston’s urban Mattapan Neighborhood, Nathan was always looking up and admiring his older brothers, Harold, Arthur, and Saul Simon, an admiration that lasted his entire life.

Nathan, also known as Nate, along with his larger-than-life brothers, known for their tall stature, boisterous voices, and commanding presence, along with their Russian-born parents Leo & Minnie, established, owned, and operated the family-run business Simon & Son's Men's Clothiers almost 65 years ago.

From a very young age, he learned what it meant to have pride, take on responsibility, and the commitment required to run and sustain a family business—lessons that stayed with him for life. As a young man, after school and on weekends, he, with his brothers, would pick up and deliver tailoring and dry cleaning from their father’s tailor shop on Charles Street and deliver it through the streets, alleys, and private courtyards of Boston’s prestigious Back Bay and Beacon Hill neighborhoods.

With 7 locations throughout downtown Boston, the South Shore, and Cambridge, it was a labor of love for him, working each day for decades side by side with family members and loyal employees.

Coming from a long Russian lineage, Simon/Sapushnakoff's name, coupled with having ingrained in his DNA the motto he learned while attending Boston Latin, "NEVER GIVE-UP," Nathan immersed himself in the family business, providing personalized attention and quality customer service, characteristics which he mastered and took with him for several different business endeavors.

It was during this same time that Nathan learned and mastered his craft, the art of being a true people person. Filled with positive energy, armed with a smile and an honest desire to make a lasting impression, Nate worked tirelessly for decades to make the customers' experience at any of the stores the beginning of what would transpire into a lasting relationship. More importantly, he also knew how to listen and lend an ear. He was patient and kind, putting everyone else's needs in front of his own. A true mensch.

On Shabbat, however, work stopped, and time with his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, and relatives from Malden commenced. It was customary that on each and every holiday, time was spent enjoying family and building memories. Family was everything to him.

If he wasn’t at the store, he was spending time with his children on Sunday afternoons, visiting parks, going on picnics, strolling along the banks of the Charles River, flying kites, or an all-time favorite, taking his 3 underage children to learn to drive in his mustang in some large unsuspecting empty parking lot throughout the suburbs.

In the late 1950’s, his parents' generation established the Simon-Sandler Family Club, an organization with officers, duties, and dues. The entire purpose of this family club was to have relatives and cousins really get to know one another, grow up together, stay close, and be active and involved in each of their daily lives and thoughts.

Meetings were held, events were planned, and every family member was invited to participate and take part in building the legacy of the connection of family. Nate was handed the responsibility of being the recording secretary for each gathering, a responsibility he took to heart.

Each month, every important life event was recorded for the entire family and extended family. At the time, it was quite a challenge to maintain, but today as we are able to reflect back, it was truly priceless. The fabric-bound ledgers are still in existence today and are maintained by his daughter.

In the early 2000's, at what many would consider retirement age, Nate made a bold move. He hung up his wool suit, leather belt, shoes, and freshly ironed shirt, tossed the keys to his sedan, and sported a new look in a pair of dungarees, a plaid cotton long-sleeve shirt, a pair of Timberlands, and a baseball cap, and his new ride was a Ford F-150 truck.

He branched out from the family business to establish his newest venture, Simon Construction and Brookline Window, each of which provided general high-level custom contracting and custom window replacement services to many satisfied clients throughout Boston, Brookline, and the South Shore for the next 2 decades.

He attended:

● Boston Latin School
● Graduated from Boston University
● Served in the Army National Guard

In his free time, Nate participated in the Country Lane Softball games, Norwood Bowling League, and a good game of cards, or enjoying a hot cup of black coffee with a little nosh was never turned down.

Later in life, he loved to spend time with his wife, Saundra, explore new cuisines, taking in a Red Sox or Patriots Game on television, or enjoy leisurely Sunday car rides to nowhere in particular.

Nate is survived by his beloved wife, Saundra R. Simon of Norton; his three children, Robin W. Simon of Sharon, Scott E. Simon of Sharon, and Heidi Bernier and her husband Steve Bernier of Bridgewater; his two stepsons, Sam Rothberg of Norton, and Eric Rothberg of Georgia; and his grandchildren, Maximilian Simon and his wife Shannon Sylvester of Norton, Trever Bernier, Tyler Bernier, and Hunter Bernier of Bridgewater, Autumn Simon and Alexander Simon of Sharon; and step-grandchildren Avery Rothberg and Jordan Rothberg of Georgia, and Robert Rothberg of North Carolina.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law Jeannine Simon of Chicago, Illinois; brothers and sisters-in-law Stephen and Deborah Syat of Randolph, Leonard and Vicky Syat of Southborough, and his niece Mykle Moss of Berkeley, California.

Nate would want to acknowledge his relatives near and far, whom he made it his mission to try to keep connected to, including: The Simons, Sandlers, Germans, Epsteins, Rubins, Glasers, Guilergan, Faudree, Druker, and so many more.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Leo & Minnie Simon, brothers Harold Simon, Arthur Simon, and Saul Simon. His 1st wife and mother of his children, Phyllis Goldstein a.k.a Shaina Simon of GA.

He will forever be remembered in the hearts of all those who loved him.

His funeral service with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 6th at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton, MA. He will be laid to rest immediately following at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA.

In honor of his memory, the family will be hosting a Celebration of his life in June, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please reach out to an elderly person you may know who could use a gentle ear or a little compassion. Strike up a conversation with a smile. Nate was a fabulous conversationalist and loved to chat and make everyone feel welcome, seen, and heard.

Stanetsky Memorial Chapel
(781) 821-4600
www.stanetskycanton.com