Construction,
zoning officer remembered
By Joyce Blay
Staff Writer
LAKEWOOD — David Simpson, 54, Lakewood’s zoning officer and chief construction official for more than 11 years, died at his home on July 16.
Simpson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly before his death.
Born Nov. 25, 1948, at Lakewood’s Paul Kimball Hospital (now Kimball Medical Center), Simpson earned a degree in civil engineering at Newark College of Engineering.
According to his résumé, Simpson began his career in 1967 as assistant construction superintendent for Simpson Construction Co. in Toms River, which he left in 1972.
From 1972-78, he worked as a project engineer for Fellows, Read and Weber before opening D.N. Simpson Timber Products and Construction Specialties in Jackson, a self-owned business he ran from 1978-92. He applied for his current position in Lakewood, a civil service job, in 1992.
Married for 31 years, Simpson and his wife, Greta, have three grown children, Samuel, 27, a patent attorney in Los Angeles; Jessica, 24, a medical school student in Israel who will shortly begin her internship in New York City; and Jeffrey, 23, an engineer working in construction management in Manhattan while studying for his master’s degree at New York University.
Simpson’s funeral service was held July 18 at Congregation Sons of Israel, where Simpson was a member of the congregation. Rabbi Shmuel M. Tendler officiated.
Tendler reflected on Simpson’s life and career in an interview with the Tri-Town News on Monday.
"His job was his life," said Tendler. "He never called in with a sick day until a week before he died. He would come to work during his illness with an oxygen tank in order to do his job, which began at 7:30 in the morning [and continued] until 11 p.m. [and then] he continued to take calls from people, even at home."
Tendler described Simpson as a devoted family man as well.
"For the 31 years that he was married, he always dropped [his wife] off at her teaching job in Lakewood and then had lunch with her every day," said Tendler. "As a father, he was unbelievable. He would spend at least an hour a night speaking to his children, no matter where they were."
Tendler also spoke about Simpson’s role as head of the township’s sometimes embattled inspections department, which just last month was overhauled according to recommendations made by an outside firm hired by the Township Committee last year.
"This is the man who was head of the Inspection Department — a kind, warm man who was also a servant to the community," said Tendler. "Despite his powerful position, he never forgot about the little folk. Anybody that needed a favor or advice, he would help — always."
Simpson’s friends also remember him as a man devoted to his family and community, who gave unstintingly of his time and expertise.
Former Township Committee member Phil Waxman, who is a longtime friend of Simpson and was present at his funeral service, recalled the qualities that made him special."He was a wonderful person of tremendous intellect that was matched by a tremendous good heart," said Waxman. "He was a man of honesty and integrity, as well as a wonderful husband and father. He served the Lakewood community well."
Waxman said the outpouring of affection for Simpson at his funeral service demonstrated how much he would be missed.
"There was a very large crowd at his funeral, which was an indication of the respect, love and devotion [people felt] for David," said Waxman.
Current Township Committeeman Charles Cunliffe agreed.
"It was quite evident from attending the funeral service that folks from every walk of life, including people from the building and construction trades, as well as many township and county officials, were there to pay their respects," Cunliffe said. "It was obvious to me what an impact he made on the community and how many people he touched. Speaking for myself and the rest of the Township Committee, we mourn his tragic and untimely loss."
Cunliffe described Simpson as a man of great intelligence who knew Lakewood codes and zoning ordinances better than anyone he had ever met.
Edward Mack, a previous employee in the Inspections Department, was hired on July 7 as the new code enforcement and zoning director, a position created by ordinance last month. He succeeds Simpson as head of the Inspections Department.