Richard John Simon, known as Richie to his friends, passed away at JFK Medical Center in Edison on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 – after suffering with the effects of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 72 years old and loved deeply by all who knew him.

Rich was born in Queens, NY on December 26th, 1952 - the best gift Santa ever delivered. He was born to John and Hilda Simon, and had one older sister, Louise. Their childhood was a happy one; with trips to Cuba, Spain and Miami, but tragedy struck the Family's life early when John died of a massive heart attack when Rich was just 17. It was losing his Father so young which created the determination in Rich to be devoted to his own Family, and to be someone whom everyone could depend on.

Rich attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens where, on his very first day, he met his soon-to-be partner in crime Edward Levengood. After asking Rich for help filling out the attendance cards in Homeroom, Ed was later walking around the cafeteria for lunch, not knowing anyone to sit with. Richie recognized the kid from Homeroom, and quickly invited him to join him, a lifelong friendship began, and as they say, the rest is history.

Ed, a talented drummer, and Rich a guitar impresario, decided to form a band as high school was wrapping up. Besides the fun they had at gigs, they also attracted their fair share of devoted groupies, including one ballerina named Lorraine Merritt, who began dating Ed. Lorraine and Ed were married and had two Daughters within 18 months of each other, Jennifer & Michelle. Lorraine, Ed and Rich all raised the girls; with unending family vacations, trips to the amusement parks, pool parties – it was the happiest of lives for the family – even when Lorry and Ed realized they were better as friends and divorced, though they stayed close for the rest of their lives. It was a few years after the divorce when Rich and Lorry realized what all their friends already knew – they were madly in love and belonged together. They married on May 22, 1992 and were inseparable ever after.

Rich attended City College and began a career in computer programming for payroll systems. At an early posting at Alexanders he met and worked with a kind fellow programmer named Anabelle, they quickly became best friends and remained that way – constantly counting on the other – until his death. But through it all Rich always put Lori and the girls, and later his Grandson Christian, first. He was fiercely devoted to his Lorry; even as she became ill with MS – he took care of her devotedly until her untimely death in October of 2011.

In 2017 as they were retiring, Rich & Ed decided to have another adventure by changing states and moving to New Jersey. Here in Iselin, Rich quickly joined the community's weekly Trivia Club but quickly found that no one could match up against his skills so he took over the group, creating weekly themes, playlists of songs and hosting. The group has been running strong for years now and was always the highlight of Rich's week.

Surviving Rich are his daughters, Michelle Levengood of Iselin and Jennifer Levengood of Windermere, FL; his best friend Anabelle of New Jersey; grandson Christian Levengood, of Florida; Sister Louise Simon of Queens, her sons Ronnie, Anthony, Matthew and Chris, and his cousin Norma Rosa. Of course, Rich is also survived by his beloved "Good Girl" Holly; he & Lorry's 17-year-old Bichon Frise. Everyone in this group, along with all of Rich's friends - namely Orrin, Mike, Joseph in the Carolinas and Joe, Georgie, Ellen & Roxanne right here in the Community – will be trying to learn how to exist in a much grayer world without him.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10th, 2025 at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, 44 Green Street, Woodbridge. An interment service will take place on Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Saint John's Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens, NY.