Francis Claire Simpson

Francis Claire Simpson, age 85, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of his daughters. He leaves behind a legacy of deep affection, family devotion, and a life filled with gratitude.

Francis was born on May 6, 1941, in Clairton, Pennsylvania to his loving mother Mary (Kohan) Motter. He graduated from Clairton High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963, stationed at Naval Air Station Glynco in Georgia. He continued his service in the Naval Reserve from 1963 to 1965. After completing his military service, Francis graduated from the Electronics Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He went on to work as a test engineer at IBM in Endicott, New York, where he remained until his retirement in 1995.

Before relocating to Endicott, Francis met the love of his life, Rose Polinsky, at a party where they discovered that their parents were longtime friends. Rose had never given him much thought, yet the day he arrived at her family’s home carrying pizza, she suddenly saw him differently and was touched by his kindness. From then on, every weekend, he would drive eight hours to Clairton to spend time with her. They were wed on July 24, 1965, and together they created a beautiful life together filled with love and unwavering support. Their union, which spanned 60 years, was blessed with three children. Francis cherished his family above all else, finding his greatest happiness in the moments spent with his children, grandchildren and his great grandson.

Francis was the kind of person that made the world feel softer, who cherished life’s simple pleasures - a cat curled contently on his lap, the happiness of sharing ice cream with a grandchild or passing a few M&M’s to a friend under the table with a conspiratorial smile. He was a man of few words, content to let the dinnertime conversations swirl around him. When he spoke, his dry, unexpected humor always caught people by surprise and would fill the room with laughter. He was absolutely one of a kind, a very literal person with a fascination for the unexplained. He lived life with curiosity and enthusiasm – a ham radio operator, a certified scuba diver, a sailor, a licensed pilot and a hands-on builder of model airplanes, go-carts, and mini race cars. Francis had the most unforgettable blue eyes, gentle and bright that made you feel at ease. His grandchildren remember him for the kindness and warmth he showed, welcoming countless friends into the backyard for baseball games while he cooked for everyone.

Francis is remembered with love by the family and close friends who were blessed to be a part of his life. He was predeceased by his mother, Mary (Kohan) Motter and stepfather, Jerome Motter; his sister Ramona Parsons; his cherished wife, Rose, and their beloved son, Glenn Simpson. He is survived by his sister-in-law Carol Hoffman; daughters Elizabeth Simpson (Sean McGrath) and Michelle (Olivier) Chevallier; grandchildren Jade Donaldson,

Leah Campos (Joaquin Zamudio), Alexander Campos (Sethleen Allen), and Andrew Campos (Shiana Ferng); great-grandson Gareth Campos-Ferng; several loving nieces and nephews and dear friends Sue Kovacic and John Mautone.

Special thanks to Chunkit Fung, M.D. and Sue Sargent, N.P. at Wilmot Cancer Center for their excellent care following Francis’ prostate cancer diagnosis and to the wonderful staff at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford, for their gentle, loving care in his time of need. “Frankie” as many of you called him, loved and was grateful to all of you.

A Funeral Mass for Francis will be held on Monday, November 9th at 10 am at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell, NY. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City, NY

To consider Francis’ life and legacy, please consider a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.