Obituary of Paul James Simms Jr.

Paul J. Simms Jr., a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at Brighton Gardens in Florham Park, NJ, on October 31, 2024, at the age of 90.

Born in Newark and raised in West Caldwell, Paul graduated from Caldwell High School in 1952. He proudly served in the Army National Guard before pursuing higher education at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. In 1958, Paul began a successful career at IBM in West Caldwell, where he dedicated 35 years of his life before retiring in 1993. Following his retirement, he continued to share his expertise as a part-time computer consultant and enjoyed swapping cars for Volkswagen dealerships.

A man of many passions, Paul found joy in trout fishing, hunting, and playing tennis. His mechanical inclinations allowed him to spend countless hours working on and building cars, a hobby that brought him immense satisfaction.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Virginia Helen (Vadas) Simms, of Florham Park, NJ, and their loving children, Paul G. Simms and wife Rebecca of Flemington, NJ, and Jennifer Sharpe of Rockaway Township, NJ. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren Shane, Trent, and Carly Sharpe, as well as Mason Simms, and his great-granddaughter Rosemary Sharpe.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 4 PM to 8 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834 (www.normandean.com).  Funeral services will take place on Thursday, November 7, at 10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 123 East Blackwell St., Dover, NJ 07801.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to Trinity Lutheran Church by visiting www.inmemof.org.

Paul's warmth, humor, and love for his family will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.