Joseph Francis Simonds

12/04/49-02/08/10 Beloved son of Elizabeth left us too soon on February 8 of this year after succumbing to a battle with illness. He had just turned 60 this past December. An accomplished musician in his youth, Joe was a graduate of West Deptford High school, class of 67; before moving on to Combs College of Music; after graduation. Subsequently Joe attended Drexel University where he furthered an expertise in both manual and computer assisted design, CAD. Joe's drafting and design ability was sought after by engineering firms and took him to Michigan in the 70's and subsequently on assignments around the world. His projects varied from refinery re -fittings, the Alaska Pipeline development, to his heading the design department of The Himalayan Power Company, Katmandu, Nepal ; a 3 year hydroelectric joint venture between the Canadian government and the Royal Family of Nepal. Joe career in design took him northern Washington State, the area of Bellingham/Ferndale; where his last position was an 11 year stint as the Structural Design Supervisor for Anvil Corporation. An avid, and accomplished, pool player since his youth; led Joe to designing and building custom pool cues for "serious players". His fanaticism over materials selection, construction, and play characteristics; kept his production to a minimum. He would spend weeks anguishing over a cue; the design, balance, and custom work; then cut it into pieces because he "didn't like the feel of the stroke". Joe is survived by his mom Elizabeth and his brother Ron; good friends/neighbors on both coasts; and his best friends Sam and Suzy; now residing in PA. All services were private.