Gerard "Jerry" Paul Simpson, 73, of Stuart, Florida, passed away Monday, September 14, 2020 at Martin Memorial Hospital.

Jerry was born March 11, 1947 in Staten Island, New York. He was a reconnaissance squad leader in the US Army as part of the 82 ^nd and 101 ^st Airborne in the Vietnam War, where he was injured in the Mother's Day Hill Battle and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He returned from the war to serve as the first amputee patrol officer on the New York City Police Department, earning the rank of lieutenant and the Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Award. He completed his B.A. and M.S. in Education while working full time as a police officer. Following retirement from the NYPD, he moved to the Treasure Coast of Florida to become a social services investigator, Martin County High School history teacher, and work in private security.

Jerry loved reading, golf, crossword puzzles and traveling with his wife of 29 years, Cindy Cope Simpson.

He is survived by Cindy, and their two daughters Jessica Hays Podoski and Dianna Hays Farinacci, as well as four grandsons, in whom he instilled his wry sense of humor and a love of reading.

His family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Martin Memorial South, and the VA Hospitals of West Palm Beach and Stuart.

A Memorial Service will be held in 2021 with close friends and family.

An Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoastseawinds.com