John G. Simpson, Sr., 86, of New Hartford, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. He was born November 19, 1925, in Warsaw, NY the son of the late Edward and Mary Ellen McConeghy Simpson and was a graduate of St. Francis deSales High School, Class of 1944. He was a US Army veteran of WW II, serving with the 75th Infantry Division in the European Theatre. On September 18, 1948, at St. Francis deSales Church, Utica, he married Shirley J. Heaton. Mr. Simpson was employed with Alling & Cory in Utica and later was employed as the Supervisor of Archives with Utica National Insurance in New Hartford, retiring in 2001. He was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford and was a member of the New Hartford American Legion Post #1376. Mr. Simpson enjoyed gardening and fishing and was an American history buff. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley; four children, John (Carol) Simpson, Jr., of New York Mills, Richard (Lynn) Simpson of Utica, Robert (Jan) Simpson of New Hartford and Mary Ellen (Roy) Schultz of New Hartford; a brother, Robert (Mary Therese) Simpson of East Syracuse; eleven grandchildren, William Simpson, Richard Simpson, Jr., Erica Simpson, Reid Simpson, Paige Simpson, Nicole (Kevin) McKenna, Stephen Simpson and his fiance, Katie Fredette, Scott Simpson, Ryan Schultz, Ashley Schultz and Rachel Schultz; and he was eagerly looking forward to the birth of his first great grandchild this summer. He is also survived by his in-laws, Thomas Heaton and Richard (Catherine) Heaton; special friends, Vincent and Lucille Chapman and Jerome and Marilyn Cooley; and several nieces, nephews and close cousins. He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Elizabeth Simpson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, with military honors. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4-7 pm at the Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Rd., Utica/New Hartford. Members of the New Hartford American Legion will meet Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the funeral home.