Nicholas J. Simone, Sr., age 82, of Iron Mountain, passed away Tuesday August 28, 2007 at the Veterans Administrative Hospital in Iron Mountain, Mich. He was born on March 16, 1925 in New York City, son of the late Anthony and Mary (Bartolucci) Simone. Nick served in the United States Navy during WWII where he met his wife, Norma. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on May 17, 2007. Nick and Norma resided in New York City until Nick decided that Iron Mountain was the best place for them. Nick and Norma operated businesses together dating back to 1950 when they opened the Double "N" Bar & Supper Club. This is where the first pizza was sold in the area and a recipe that is still popular at the Simone household. Nick also originated the first slow pitch baseball league and machine bowling leagues in Aurora, WI. In 1960, Nick and Norma decided to get into the insurance business and started the Simone Insurance Agency, which is still in operation today. Nick was very involved in his community, always wanting to give back to this fine area. Some of the organizations were: Chairman of the City Compensation Committee, Treasurer of the Iron Mountain Water Board, member of the Dickinson Iron Community Action Agency, Knights of Columbus, Commander & Adjutant of the American Legion Post, Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chaired the 4th of July & Memorial Day parades for 25 years and marched in every one! Chairman of the Veterans Counseling Affairs, Chairman of the Dickinson County Cancer Crusade & chaired the first golf tournament for the Cancer Society in Dickinson County. Lifetime member of the Historical Museum, Manager of the original Connie Mack baseball league, Judge for the State of Michigan Amateur Boxing Association, UCT, Elks, Chippewa Club, Pine Gove Country Club, Rotary Club, and Paisano Club where he received the Sons of Italy award in 1988. Nick was also very active in the insurance industry. He was President of the Upper Peninsula Independent Insurance Agents Association on more than one occasion and was also President of the State of Michigan Association of Independent Agents in 1989. Nick was awarded the W.O. Hildebrand Award which is the highest honor for a Michigan Insurance Agent. In 2006 Nick was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Agent Hall of Fame. Nick also enjoyed hunting, his beloved Yankees, and golfing – especially with the Tuesday group. Most of all, Nick enjoyed being with people of all walks of life. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma; 4 children, Candy (Mykle) Jacobs of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Cathy (Dr. Bruce) Main of Seattle, WA; Nick (Jeana) Simone of Iron Mountain; and Paul (Sheri) Simone of Kingsford; one brother, Anthony (Margaret) Simone of North Carolina; 10 grandchildren, Dr. Mykle Jacobs, Nicole (Derek) Duiser, Jeff (Jessica) Main, Cari Main, Eric Simone, Chelsey Simone, Christina Simone, Nick Simone, Elissa Simone and Abbie Simone; and two great grandchildren, Isabella and Trevor Duiser. Visitation will be Friday August 31, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron Mountain. A prayer service will be Saturday September 1, 9:00a.m. at the funeral home. The Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday 9:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Mgsr. James Kaczmarek will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. Uren Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 will accord military honors at graveside. Pallbearers will be: Dwight Romagnoli, John Hiller, Jon Pryor, Peter Saigh, Mark Saigh and Bob Simone. Honorary Pallbearers will be Randy Weege, Dr. Ralph Carlson, Bob Larson, Jim Verrette, Louis Santini, Ralph Izzo, Don Flaminio and Guido Jaffola. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Carmelite Monastery or the Dickinson County Cancer Unit at 1401½ Carpenter Avenue in Iron Mountain. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Nick's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is serving the family.