Leon J. Simkins

The Philadelphia-born Simkins, who died Aug. 2 2017 at 89, gave of his time, too, and encouraged his family to follow his philanthropic lead. He was on the board of governors of the Diabetes Research Institute, a DRI Distinguished Humanitarian and a chairman of its Love and Hope Ball. Simkins, a Wharton School graduate, made his fortune through his family company, The Simkins Industries, which was founded in 1901 by his father, Samuel, as a manufacturer of recycled folding cartons and paperboard products. He also ran Westfield Financial, a Miami mortgage company. Family, his daughter Michelle Simkins Rubell said, drove him. Her mother, Simkins’ ex-wife Kathy Simkins, is a national chair with the Diabetes Research Institute. Simkins’ survivors include his wife Serena; his children Albert, Ron, David and Michael Simkins and Michelle Simkins Rubell; his wife’s six children and 27 shared grandchildren; his brother Morton Simkins and sister Vivian Lasko. Services were held.