Simon C. Fireman

Family-Placed Obituary

SIMON C. FIREMAN Simon C. Fireman of Boston, MA, Cape Cod, MA, and Palm Beach, FL, passed away September 10, 2011, on the afternoon of his 86th birthday. Mr. Fireman, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, was truly an uncommon individual with incredible vision. He distinguished himself in three vital areas of life: as an internationally renowned business executive, an honorable and honored administrator in the federal government, and as a notable, philanthropic leader in the community. He served in various capacities for Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. He had much success as founder and chairman of Aqua Leisure Industries in Avon, MA, and an affiliate company in Hong Kong. The companies will continue under the leadership of family members. Mr. Fireman considered it his responsibility to share his success by helping others. He began the Simon C. Fireman Charitable Foundation in 1995. He was chairman of numerous charity functions, including, most recently, the international honorary chairman of the Rabbinical College of America and Easter Seals of South Florida. Additionally, he and his wife, Norma, were "Ambassadors of Hope" for the Palm Beach Chapter of the American Cancer Society. He also served in various leadership roles for events benefitting The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and WXEL, among many. Mr. Fireman, through his foundation, also supported organizations in the Boston area such as the Quincy Medical Center, where he provided the lead gift for the Radiological and Diagnostic Center in honor of his late daughter, Joan Fireman Berenson. He also endowed the Simon C. Fireman Scholar in Cardiovascular Medicine at Boston's Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He was particularly proud of his long support for Hebrew SeniorLife and their promise of care for senior citizens. He is survived by wife, Norma Yost Fireman; his sister, Libby Fireman Brodney of Lake Worth, FL; two sons, Barry and his wife, Lisa Fireman of Sharon, MA and Andrew and his wife, Jami Van Fireman of Bethesda, MD; his son-in-law, Steve Berenson and his wife, Ginger of Canton, MA; his five grandchildren, Eric, Carla, and Mia Fireman, and Scott Berenson and Samantha Berenson Vigil; and three great-grandchildren, Laurel Fireman, Camren Berenson Vigil, and Jonah Berenson. His four beloved dogs, Lovie, Sugar, Coco, and Cutie, will miss him terribly. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan Fireman Berenson; his sister, Dorothy Rosen and his brothers, Samuel and Harry. A funeral service was held Tuesday, September 13 at 10:00 AM at Mishkan Tefila Synagogue in Newton, MA. Mr. Fireman was laid to rest immediately following at Mishkan Tefila cemetery in West Roxbury, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Hebrew SeniorLife organization or the Quincy Medical Center. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries