Gene Simpkins

Simpkins, Gene L. – age 53 of Cooper City, FL, formerly of Ventnor, NJ passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by his loved ones on March 3rd. He was the beloved son of Dorothy & Alfred L. Simpkins; loving husband of Edith, devoted father of Dorothy & Anthony, dear brother of Lori (Jeff) Johnson & Fred (Donna) Simpkins and brother-in-law to Tom Wdzieczkowski. Also much loved Uncle to all his nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by Sister Donna Wdzieczkowski. He attended Ventnor schools and graduated ACHS. Always sports minded, he played football, basketball and did some amateur boxing at AC PAL. To say he was competitive was an understatement. He always played to win, right to the end. He worked the casino industry upon graduation and later decided to explore what Florida had to offer, although he returned frequently to visit family & get his “Tony’s Pizza & Dino’s sub fix”. In later years when Gene married and was raising a family they settled in Cooper City. He was employed for 14 years at Weston Hills Country Club where he managed the men’s club. It was there he was so well loved by the members that upon his retirement, due to his illness, the members and club ran a tournament & dinner to benefit his family and named the club “Gene’s Bunker” in his honor. Gene was truly a people person. He made friends wherever he went. But the heart of Gene’s life was his family. Something he dedicated his everything to. He was a faithful member of St. Marks Church. He also belonged to St. Marks Men of Emmaus, a group of men who exhibited true Christian brotherhood in their help & love in his final days along with so many parishioners. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 10th from 6-9 pm at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home 371 Northwest 136 Avenue Sunrise FL. A funeral mass will be held Friday, March 11th at 11:00 am at St. Mark Catholic Church 5601 S Flamingo Rd. Southwest Ranches, FL. For the benefit of Gene’s friends in NJ a memorial mass will be held at St. James Church in the near future. Date to be announced. Somehow life will never be the same here on earth without Gene’s sense of humor, compassion and love but heaven will be just a little bit brighter.