John Symon, 72, Ridgefield builder

John Symon of Fort Pierce, Fla., who lived in Ridgefield for 35 years and was a well-known builder here, died Dec. 6 at his home in Fort Pierce. He was 72 years old, the same age as his twin sister Alice McGuiness, who died in October.
Mr. Symon was born and grew up in Old Greenwich and Stamford, raised in a family of nine by parents who had emigrated from what today is the Czech Republic. They were a close family of five boys and four girls, all of whom raised families in New England.
In 1959 he and his wife Nancy moved to Ridgefield and started a construction business with two of his five brothers, Frank and Bob. Together they built homes in such areas of Ridgefield as Windy Ridge, Olmstead Lane, Cranberry Lane, Seymour Lane, Acre Lane, and many other neighborhoods. He also built homes with Rick Rudolph, a longtime Ridgefielder, who was a lifelong friend and together they also built many of the Ridgefield Little League dugouts.
Mr. Symon had many friends old and young within the Ridgefield community and was active in the “Bar Stool Open” golf tournament with Jack Peto, David Long and Ray Lyons, among many others. He enjoyed golf every day while in Florida and was a member of the Spanish Lakes Golf Club. Though retired, he continued to help neighbors with advice and carpentry needs. “He worked with many folks in the trades business while living in Ridgefield and he was well liked and admired within the town,” said his son, Gregory Symon.
The Symons retired to Florida in 1993, enjoying the warm weather, golf, fishing and meeting new friends from the Northeast. During the summer they would visit Ridgefield every year to see the changes that were occurring and to visit with their family and old friends, many of whom had visited them in Florida.
Mr. Symon is survived by Nancy Symon, his wife of 51 years, who since his death has moved to Hughesville, Md., to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Chuck Rudolph. Other survivors include three sons: Gary Symon of Brookfield, Gregory Symon of Ridgefield, and John Symon of Bethel; 11 grandchildren throughout the Eastern Seaboard and five great-grandchildren. Of his nine siblings, only three remain: a brother, Charlie, of Brookline, Mass., and two sisters, Lillian O’Neil of Stamford and Ann McAndrews of Bridgeport. He also is survived by a sister-in-law, Gloria Murphy Symon of Stamford, and well over 20 nieces and nephews, scattered all over the United States.
A memorial service was held in Fort Pierce for his friends in Florida. A graveside service will take in the Long Ridge Cemetery at a date to be announced in early spring.
Contributions in Mr. Symon’s memory may be made to the Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie Inc. 2030 S.E. Ocean Boulevard. Stuart, FL 34996.