We just lost another Sneakbox expert - BILL SIMONSEN

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
Good morning, All~


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A few days ago, Bill Simonsen's granddaughter asked me to share this sad news. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill at Tuckerton a few years back - and visiting him at the ensuing shows. He was a fine gentleman and a fount of boatbuilding knowledge. I will miss him.


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I enjoyed some nice long discussions with Bill about our shared passions. I also helped my gunning partner Jamie Woods buy a sweet old (1950s?) VanSant Sneakbox from Bill. Jamie picked it up a week or so later at Bill's house and shop a bit south of Tuckerton. I never had that pleasure.


Here is some information from his granddaughter:




William Alfred (Bill) Simonsen June 27, 1928 - July 23, 2019




William Alfred ?Bill? Simonsen, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, passed away Tuesday July 23, 2019 at the age of 91. Born June 27, 1928 in Atlantic City, NJ to Helmer Revere and Madaline Suzanne (McGlincey). A life-long resident of NJ, Bill joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 directly out of Atlantic City High School, attended Trenton State College; then was recalled to the USMC, and finished his education at Rutgers. He married June M. Walton during these hectic years. They had five children: Kathleen Swisher, Patricia Susan (deceased) William, Robert (Pattie), James (Karen), and grandchildren Katie (Rosario), Kara (Jason), Loryn. Nik, Joe, Ken (Haley), Willie, Jaime, and Joel, 2 great grandchildren Xavier (deceased) and Austin. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Patsy Walton, his daughter-in-law Jacquline, and his great grandson, Xavier Acevedo.




Bill was employed at Lenox China for many years as an efficiency engineer, retiring as director of new products. Bill was happiest working in his workshop, especially when passing on his skills to his children, and later to his grandchildren. He was well-known as builder of catboats, sneakboxes and other small boats and boat models. He won many awards for these, and for restoring older wooden boats.




The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Gery and staff; and Dr. Barry Kimmel and staff for their guidance and care during the last few years.




Friends will be received at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield NJ 08225 on Monday, July 29th between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Interment will be private, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.adams-perfect.com.




~?Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing?absolutely nothing?half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.?~




I hope a bunch of Garden State gunners can show their appreciation for this fine man.


All the best,


SJS





 
Awful news, what a loss! I had known Bill for years and had picked his brain more than a few times on how to make sneakbox repairs. I bought one of his sneakboxes in 2000.
 
Bill was a true gentleman. He made a great boat in a traditional style. But he wasnt above making his own modifications when he saw something needing improvement. We had a nice long conversation over my rail skiff last year, and her restoration at the Tuckerton show. I was a bit apprehensive when he approached me and said he like to talk about the restoration.

He opened up saying -well let me tell you exactly what I would have done differently had I restored it-,
Then he let out a big chuckle, and said -I would not of changed a damn thing, I love it-

That made me smile, and we had a nice long conversation after that.

I will really miss him.
 
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Very sad news. I had the pleasure of visiting with Bill at his house a few years ago. I still have his business card because he impressed me. He took me in his shop and he showed me around. He had about 4 of his boats out in the back yard of his property. He also had one in the shop. His boats were beautiful. He had a goose whirligig in his shop. I told him that I was interested in owning it as a remembrance of my visit and he sold it to me. I will always cherish it. I visited Roy the same day but earlier and also saw his Mother Ducker boats. It was a fine day of thinking about ideas for the future fleet. RIP BILL...you were a hell of a nice gentleman.
 
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