James ZZ Simonis
0937-01-23 1994-03-05
James E. Simonis, guidance director for St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, was the first principal of Lake Catholic High School in Mentor.
When he was appointed principal of Lake County's first Catholic high school in 1970, Mr. Simonis became the second layman to serve as a high school principal in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese.
He held the post until becoming principal of St. Joseph High School in Cleveland in 1976. He joined the staff at St. Peter Chanel in 1988.
"He was principal at St. Joseph when it was one of the largest high schools for boys," said Roger R. Abood, principal of St. Peter Chanel. "He got Lake Catholic up and running. He became a mentor to me. He always had a soothing word and gave me sage advice."
Mr. Simonis, 57, of Mentor, died of a heart attack Saturday at LakeWest Hospital in Willoughby.
When he was appointed principal of Lake County's first Catholic high school in 1970, Mr. Simonis became the second layman to serve as a high school principal in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese.
He held the post until becoming principal of St. Joseph High School in Cleveland in 1976. He joined the staff at St. Peter Chanel in 1988.
"He was principal at St. Joseph when it was one of the largest high schools for boys," said Roger R. Abood, principal of St. Peter Chanel. "He got Lake Catholic up and running. He became a mentor to me. He always had a soothing word and gave me sage advice."
Mr. Simonis, 57, of Mentor, died of a heart attack Saturday at LakeWest Hospital in Willoughby.