Paul Peter Simon
July 28, 1932 — March 11, 2023
Mr. Paul Peter Simon, 90, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023. Paul was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 28, 1932, the youngest child of immigrant parents Diab Simon and Adma (Khayat) Simon and the sibling to Ernest and Bernice.
Diab was a merchant and moved the family from Calexico to El Monte in 1938 where he operated a retail department store in the El Monte Mall.
Paul graduated from Cantwell High School in Montebello and attended Mt. San Antonio College and USC; he eventually earned an MBA from USC. Paul also earned several education credentials at California State University, Los Angeles.
In 1954, Paul married Miss Rosemary Carmen Phillips of Pasadena, California. Paul and Rosemary ultimately settled in El Monte and raised four daughters together.
Also in 1954, Paul began a 38-year career at the Montebello Unified School District. Paul was a teacher and/or counselor at several high schools in the District, including Montebello, Bell Gardens, and Vail. Paul taught many subjects, including courses in Government and Business, and was a Driver’s Training teacher. During this time, he also moonlighted at Mt. San Antonio College as a Business instructor. Later in his career, Paul reluctantly moved into administrative positions, concluding his career as the Director of the Montebello Adult School. Along the way, Paul was involved with the National Educators Association and the California Teachers Association.
Paul was very active in the larger El Monte community and participated in local city politics, the city planning commission, and civil defense. He also served as a campaign manager for a friend in a race for the El Monte city council and worked behind the scenes for other local candidates.
During Paul’s summer vacations, usually in August, he and Rosemary loaded up their daughters into their 1963 Dodge Dart for adventuresome (and hot!) road trips, such as Yellowstone, Sequoias, Hearst Castle, Vancouver, Canada, and Leucadia. These trips helped spark the girls’ eventual love of travel.
Paul was a lifelong learner. He enjoyed reading throughout his entire life and enjoyed philosophical discussions with his friends and relatives.
After retirement, Paul and Rosemary enjoyed spending time with their three grandchildren as well as relaxing at their San Marcos beach house.
He enjoyed walking across the street and watching his young grandchildren participate in events at Nativity School. He and Rosemary participated in “Grandparents Day” with their grandson Justin at St. Augustine High School in San Diego.
Paul enjoyed going out to lunch with friends/family. He and Rosemary celebrated birthday lunches with Rosemary’s two sisters for 15 years at the historic Athenaeum at Cal Tech. In 2004, Paul accompanied Rosemary and her two sisters on a delightful trip to the sisters’ hometown, Oneida, NY. Paul was also an avid TV college football fan. He and Rosemary treated the family to a Hawaii trip for their 60th Anniversary celebration in early 2015.
Paul is survived by his loving daughters, including Paula (Michael Schaefer) and Angela (Luukia Smith), son-in-law Juan Carlos Diaz, 2 grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Paul was preceded in death by wife Rosemary, daughter Cynthia, and grandson Justin Schaefer.
Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello. Mortuary arrangements are being handled by Risher Mortuary in Montebello, CA - www.rishermortuary.com
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to: Food for the Poor , Los Angeles Catholic Worker , or International Catholic Migration Commission .
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
Diab was a merchant and moved the family from Calexico to El Monte in 1938 where he operated a retail department store in the El Monte Mall.
Paul graduated from Cantwell High School in Montebello and attended Mt. San Antonio College and USC; he eventually earned an MBA from USC. Paul also earned several education credentials at California State University, Los Angeles.
In 1954, Paul married Miss Rosemary Carmen Phillips of Pasadena, California. Paul and Rosemary ultimately settled in El Monte and raised four daughters together.
Also in 1954, Paul began a 38-year career at the Montebello Unified School District. Paul was a teacher and/or counselor at several high schools in the District, including Montebello, Bell Gardens, and Vail. Paul taught many subjects, including courses in Government and Business, and was a Driver’s Training teacher. During this time, he also moonlighted at Mt. San Antonio College as a Business instructor. Later in his career, Paul reluctantly moved into administrative positions, concluding his career as the Director of the Montebello Adult School. Along the way, Paul was involved with the National Educators Association and the California Teachers Association.
Paul was very active in the larger El Monte community and participated in local city politics, the city planning commission, and civil defense. He also served as a campaign manager for a friend in a race for the El Monte city council and worked behind the scenes for other local candidates.
During Paul’s summer vacations, usually in August, he and Rosemary loaded up their daughters into their 1963 Dodge Dart for adventuresome (and hot!) road trips, such as Yellowstone, Sequoias, Hearst Castle, Vancouver, Canada, and Leucadia. These trips helped spark the girls’ eventual love of travel.
Paul was a lifelong learner. He enjoyed reading throughout his entire life and enjoyed philosophical discussions with his friends and relatives.
After retirement, Paul and Rosemary enjoyed spending time with their three grandchildren as well as relaxing at their San Marcos beach house.
He enjoyed walking across the street and watching his young grandchildren participate in events at Nativity School. He and Rosemary participated in “Grandparents Day” with their grandson Justin at St. Augustine High School in San Diego.
Paul enjoyed going out to lunch with friends/family. He and Rosemary celebrated birthday lunches with Rosemary’s two sisters for 15 years at the historic Athenaeum at Cal Tech. In 2004, Paul accompanied Rosemary and her two sisters on a delightful trip to the sisters’ hometown, Oneida, NY. Paul was also an avid TV college football fan. He and Rosemary treated the family to a Hawaii trip for their 60th Anniversary celebration in early 2015.
Paul is survived by his loving daughters, including Paula (Michael Schaefer) and Angela (Luukia Smith), son-in-law Juan Carlos Diaz, 2 grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Paul was preceded in death by wife Rosemary, daughter Cynthia, and grandson Justin Schaefer.
Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello. Mortuary arrangements are being handled by Risher Mortuary in Montebello, CA - www.rishermortuary.com
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to: Food for the Poor , Los Angeles Catholic Worker , or International Catholic Migration Commission .
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paul Peter Simon, please visit our flower store.