Edward J. Simas

U.S. Marine Corps
1951 - 1953
Korean War

Edward J. Simas, a Brooklyn native, was a United States Marine Corps corporal,
serving stateside during the Korean War.

Corporal Simas was stationed at Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, North Carolina,
where he was in charge of disbursing money that was assigned to the base for equipment.

Ten months into being a Marine, they were looking for a Corporal to go off to Korea. However, someone with more experience and years was sent instead. Corporal Simas was originally supposed to be discharged in December of 1952; however, the Marines had other plans. He was supposed to be sent to Korea to relieve the corporal that was already there. Before this transition happened, the war came to an end in July 1953. He was prepared to go, and always said, “as a Marine, you can’t say no, you just go”.

Upon returning to Brooklyn in October 1953, Corporal Simas began working at Ingersoll Rand as a purchasing officer, where he met his wife, Maureen Ellis. The two wed in 1957 and moved to Staten Island in 1964 after the construction of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Together, the two raised six children in Eltingville.

Aside from his job at Ingersoll Rand, Corporal Simas also worked as a floor manager at Macy’s department store. He later obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Pace University in Business Management.Corporal Simas lived a very modest life. He enjoyed reading mystery novels in his leisure time, and doing word puzzles, and prided himself on the fact that he excelled in completing the crossword puzzle in the New York Times. He enjoyed watching sports but was most partial to the Chicago Bears and his beloved New York Yankees.

Corporal Simas passed away on Veterans’ Day 2021, at the age of 91.

Sponsored by Scott, Gina, Kayla, and Troy Simas