James H. Simes, 81, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully at home Oct. 16, 2021. A lifelong educator, Jim lived a full and active life with a passion for teaching and sailing and an unsurpassed love for his family and friends. Jim had a kind soul and was loved by all who were fortunate to know him.
Jim was born Oct. 3, 1940, and raised in Great Neck, New York, the son of Rowland J. Simes and Cecile Hansen Simes. He spent his summers in East Moriches, where he learned to sail at the Westhampton Yacht Squadron, competing alongside his many cousins and extended family.
After graduating from Colgate University in 1962, Jim began his career in education teaching biology. He received his doctorate in education from New York University and became an administrator in the Glen Ridge and Parsippany Troy Hills school districts, spending more than 35 years supervising teachers and designing the science curricula. Both during and after his professional career, Jim was a dedicated and contributing member of many different educational organizations. He served as president of the New Jersey Science Supervisors Association from 1987-1988 and was the chairman of the exhibits committee at the New Jersey Science Convention for almost 20 years.
While attending Colgate, Jim met his beloved wife of 57 years, Jean Crayton Simes. They settled in Little Silver where they raised their two children, son William J. Simes and daughter Laurie Simes Rogers, and made lifelong friends throughout the community, including those at the First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank where they have been members for more than 50 years. As an avid sailor with a love for being on or near the water, Jim was also a longstanding member of the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club where he taught sailing for many years and served as commodore from 1988-1989.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son William of Costa Mesa, California, and his wife Michelle; daughter Laurie of Hoboken and her husband PJ Rogers; granddaughters Kalia Simes, Avery Rogers and Devon Rogers; grandson Colin Rogers; sister Cecily Apmann of East Moriches, New York; and brothers Woodward Simes of Denver, Colorado, and Erik Simes of Asheville, North Carolina.
Donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Jim to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or online at jimmyfund.org/gift.
The article originally appeared in the October 28 – November 3, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
