John M. Simpson

Mr. John M. Simpson, age 84, a Little Falls native and currently of Dover, FL, beloved husband of Joan (Pawluk) Simpson, passed away after a sudden medical episode on Tuesday evening, November 26, 2024, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, FL. He was surrounded by his grandchildren and other family members when his passing occurred.

He was the son of Janet and Irving Stacey Simpson, who were part of a respected family with deep roots in Little Falls. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Jordan of Skaneateles, New York and his brother, David Simpson of Mill Valley, California. As a 17-year-old student at Little Falls High School, John spotted a particular blond girl at St. Mary’s Academy, named Joanie Pawluk. With some prodding from John, Classmate Dick Cavuoto arranged an introduction for the pair. The introduction apparently went well because it turned out that John and Joan would be together for the following 67 years. Mr. Cavuoto’s efforts were appreciated by the couple as he is a household name in our family. John’s passing leaves a size-12 hole in our family and his family will miss him dearly, especially his Joanie. In around 1965 the young married couple ventured west to Hillsdale, Michigan. There, John somehow managed to earn a degree from Hillsdale College while raising his first child and playing on the school’s basketball team. He spoke fondly of the Michigan years. John’s brother, David was “just up the road” at the University of Michigan and would visit often on his motor bike. John was a lifelong fan of Hillsdale Basketball and of Hillsdale College itself. At the ripe old age of 29 years, John took the helm of the Little Falls Felt Shoe Company in St. Johnsville and ran the longtime family business until it was sold around 1980. After the shoe business, he was hired to handle the purchasing of raw materials at Remington Arms. He stayed at Remington for more than 20 years until his retirement.

John was the definition of a family man, although we have heard unconfirmed rumors that he may have participated in Animal House type activities during his youth. His sons Todd and Mark, have many great memories from the McCrone Road years in Little Falls, where longtime friends and neighbors, Phillip and Ned Marion, would often come bouncing through the woods for long visits that made holidays special. On dark winter nights, some of John’s many underappreciated efforts would include plodding up and down our dirt road equipped with snowshoes, a garden hose, and a shovel to create, in our opinions, one of the best sledding facilities in town. He would do the same for our backyard ice rink. During the 1970s and 80s Dad supported our varied interests in sports by attending a myriad of sporting events ranging from the local YMCA to muddy soccer fields across Central New York. John began his love of nature as a child in the forests along East Monroe Street and this continued throughout his life. His four Grandchildren (Josh, Jonathan, Brianna, and Jillian) were his pride and joy. Jonathan’s wife Erin Cahill, was a later addition to this esteemed group. He and Joan often made trips as far as Hawaii and Florida to spend time with the grand kids. Two things that the kids will miss most are “Big John’s big bear hugs” and his exploring walks in the woods. He was supportive of all of their endeavors and adored them all.

It is not easy to give tribute to a Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and Grandfather who meant so much to us in just a few short paragraphs. John was a private person, never wanting to be the center of attention. He wouldn’t want us to “make a fuss” over him. However, we are going to make a fuss privately. There will be no public services or calling hours. He would rather that you go for a walk in the woods with someone you love and bring along a pair of binoculars. His funeral arrangements are under the direction and entrusted to the care of Daniel J. Enea-Director of Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, between Little Falls and St. Johnsville, 315-508-5131.