Dr. Simon Coren

SOUTH YARMOUTH — Dr. Simon Coren, 95, South Yarmouth, passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at Eagle Pond Rehabilitation & Living Center, South Dennis.

He is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Alice Ruth; their sons, Steven, Gerald and wife, Kathleen, Daniel and wife, Rosemarie; grandsons, Samuel and Gregory; granddaughter, Stefanie; great-grandchildren, India Mae and Amaru; nieces, Rosalind Tracht, Diane and husband, Sonny Forman; nephew, Stuart Cohen; and sister-in-law, Esther Freedman. Simon is predeceased by his parents, Annie and Samuel, and brothers, Abraham, Eli and Hyman.

Born in Boston in 1913, Simon received his MD from Middlesex Medical School, cum laude. After serving in the Medical Corps in World War II, Simon started his private practice and family in Attleboro, where he spent the majority of his career. For 26 years, he also served as the official physician for the Attleboro public schools, including all athletic teams. In 1974 he became chief of the ER at Sturdy Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1986.

After many years summering on Cape Cod, Simon and Alice settled in South Yarmouth permanently. His career in medicine was far from over as he served as a physician at the South Yarmouth Walk-In Clinic for seven years.

An esteemed member of the community, Simon's kind spirit and tender grin made him a pleasure to know. As a volunteer with the Consumer Protection Division, a qualified mediator with the Face-to-Face Program, chairman of the Yarmouth Council of Aging and lecturer for the Wisdom Institute, Simon shared his many talents.

An avid golfer, Simon was an active member at Cummaquid Golf Club for more than 35 years. He played well past his 90th birthday, and enjoyed the game the most when playing with his sons. Simon was also gifted in the restoration of fine art. He professionally restored oil paintings for a broad client base into his 90s. One of Simon's most notable achievements is his invention of the original ear-piercing gun. The Coren Ear Piercing Gun, patented in 1965, was the first commercial instrument of its kind in the U.S.

An adored husband, beloved father and grandfather, dear friend, admired physician and noted inventor, Simon will be forever missed. His family will cherish images of Simon on Bass River, his silver hair blowing in the wind, his warm hands working tirelessly in his shop, and his gentle voice saying grace at the head of the table. His fierce intelligence, charming character and love of family will be kept alive always and never forgotten.

Services for Dr. Coren will be held at Morris & O'Connor Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664, on Sunday, July 20, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a charity of one's choice.