Leon Simkins' Obituary
Simkins, Leon J., 89, of Bal Harbour, Florida passed away peacefully on August 2, 2017.
Leon was born in Philadelphia to Samuel and Dorothy Simkins on December 15, 1927. A graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Lee was chairman and president of the Simkins Industries, Inc., a family-owned company founded in 1901 that pioneered the manufacturing of recycled folding cartons and paperboard products.
Through the Leon J. Simkins Charitable Foundation, Lee actively participated in funding medical research and improving the lives of the sick and developmentally disabled. Lee was a long-time member of the Board of Governors of the Diabetes Research Institute, a DRI Distinguished Humanitarian and past chairman of its Love & Hope Ball. In recognition of his profound support of the institute, the DRI’s Research Tower was named after him.
He was also a member of both the Jackson Memorial/UM Banyan Society for Project Newborn and the Jackson Memorial Foundation’s Golden Angel Society.
A loving husband and father, Lee is survived by his wife, Serena; his children, Albert (Brenda) Simkins, Ron (Amira) Simkins, Michelle (Jason) Rubell, David Simkins & Michael (Nicole) Simkins; Serena’s six children and 27 shared grandchildren; as well as his brother Morton (Judy) Simkins; his sister, Vivian Lasko and several nieces and nephews. Lee will also be fondly remembered and missed by a multitude of friends and employees of Simkins Industries, Inc. and Ideal Box Company.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Diabetes Research Institute Foundation https://www.diabetesresearch.org/diabetes-research-institute-foundation or to the University of Miami Alzheimer’s Research Unit http://hihg.med.miami.edu/alzheimers
Services will be held at Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140 on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements under the direction of Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 538-6371
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