John Leonard Simpson Jr.

John Leonard Simpson, Jr. 77, of Glenview, IL and Fontana, WI, passed away October 24, 2022, surrounded by family. Mr. Simpson was born to John L. Simpson and Flora M. Blomeyer during the height of World War II, at the Patuxent River, MD, Naval Air Station. A lifelong resident of Chicago's North Shore, John grew up in Kenilworth and raised his family in Glencoe before spending his retirement years in Glenview, Lake Geneva, and Hilton Head Island.

It was at New Trier High School that he met the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Laura Keck Simpson. Following in his father's footsteps, John served in the U.S. Navy before finishing his college degree at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He built a career in the commercial printing industry, managing a sales team as Senior Vice President of Columbia Graphics Corporation.

He spread joy and worked to build community everywhere he went, whether it was at Skokie Country Club, Joseph Sears School, New Trier, Heatherfield (Glenview), Abbey Springs (Lake Geneva) or Sea Pines (Hilton Head Island). Infinitely curious about other people, he never forgot a name and loved to make connections. The highlights of his week included his standing lunch and happy hour plans with friends to feed his voracious social appetite.

Most of all, he loved building traditions with his family. His favorites included boat rides around Lake Geneva, Sunday night dinners around the dining room table, and spectating at his four grandchildren's activities.

He is survived by his wife Laura, his daughter Carolyn Simpson Bielski (Michael), his son John (Kelly), his four grandchildren, Morgan and Fritz Bielski, Jack and Tyler Simpson, stepbrother Edward Blomeyer and stepsister Judy Vose, and his beloved Shetland Sheepdog, Maggie.

Visitation Friday, November 4, 2022, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. at Old Orchard Rd., Skokie, IL 60077.

Celebration of Life Saturday, November 5, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Salvation Army.

Info: donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990.