Paul Peter Simonds

Paul Peter Simonds, age 93 of Racine passed away at home with his daughter Katherine and family by his side on Saturday, March 15, 2025. He was born on the family farm in the Town of Raymond on January 25, 1932, to Joseph and Lydia (Sladky) Simonds.

Paul’s youth spent on the family farm included driving teams of horses, planting and threshing, driving tractors, and of course squirting fresh milk into the barn cats’ mouths when milking the cows! He attended Hunter’s School, a one room schoolhouse where his favorite chore was stoking the coal or wood heat stove before school started in the cold winter mornings. This led to a skill which he would turn into a career as a boiler operator. He was employed at Webster Electric and at Southern Wisconsin Center before he retired in July 1994.

Paul married the love of his life Patricia (nee Leiby) on May 4, 1957. They were married 36 years until her passing. Paul and Patricia had three children, Katherine (Jeffrey) Moody, Marie Simonds, and the late Dr. James (Lisa) Simonds. He is survived by four grandchildren, Christopher (Kate) Simonds, Michael (Amber) Simonds, Paul Rodriguez, and Laurie (Matthew) Potratz, and eight great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Oliver Simonds, Isabelle, Genevieve and Emmett Potratz, and Ad’ian Stepney, Nova and Josiah Rodriguez. He was affectionately known as “Gramps” to those closest to him. Gramps loved his time with family and friends, never missing a family event. He enjoyed polka music and a good Brandy Old Fashioned.

Finding himself alone, Paul was blessed to have found love again and married Ann Cecil. Following her death in 2010, he found love a third time and wed Patricia Panyk. She preceded him in death in 2015. He was preceded in death by his son Dr. James Simonds MD, siblings Helen (Chester) Stefferud, Henry Simonds, Anna Thurke, Lydia (Paul) Oszuscik, Mary (William) Lemke, Ambrose (Lois) Simonds, Frances (Russell) Wallace, and Cecilia (Frederick) Rosenbaum.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s By The Lake, 7605 Lakeshore Dr in Caledonia, WI, from 10-11:00am on Thursday, March 27, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32 after Mass.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to your favorite cancer charity or catholic charity please.

The Simonds Family extends a special thank you to Margaret Kirkorian, his niece who was a tremendous help to Paul and his daughter Katherine many countless times. Also special thanks to Lisa, Michael, and Christopher Simonds, and Laurie Potratz for their valuable support, guidance and assistance. They are grateful to Ascension Healthcare for the care they gave to Paul throughout the years. Thank you Compassus Hospice and your wonderful staff so that “Gramps” was able to pass peacefully and comfortably in his home.