Clarence A. Simonsen

Clarence A. Simonsen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, artist, and aviation historian, passed away peacefully in his home in Airdrie, AB at the age of 80. He is remembered with love by his wife of 34 years, Laura; his daughters, Jackie, Karen and Laura Lee; his son, Jeff; his grandchildren, Zane, Maya, Shay, Autumn, and Eva; his daughter-in-law Louise; his sister-in-law, Martha; his nephew, Bruno; his niece, Luisa; and Bruno’s wife, Casandra.

Raised on a farm in Acme, AB, Clarence developed a deep connection with the land. He began his service to Canada when he joined the Canadian Army Force in Kingston Ont. in 1962, and completed a tour of duty in Cyprus with the Peace Keeping Forces; he was awarded the U.N. medal. In 1966 he was honourably released from the Canadian Army and joined the Toronto Metro Police Force, where he continued to serve his country with honor. Eventually, he returned to Alberta, completing his career as an Armed Security Guard with Loomis Armored Car in Calgary, retiring at the age of 67. He was deeply proud to serve his country and wore this honor with humility and pride.

 Since a very young age, Clarence was captivated by art, history, and airplanes, dedicating over 50 years advancing knowledge of World War II aircraft nose art. He first became interested in reproducing military artwork during his tour of duty in Cyprus. His meticulous recreations of WWII nose art celebrated the courage, camaraderie, and humanity of the men and women who served, ensuring that their legacy lived on for future generations. His work has been featured in various publications, where it stands as a testament to his artistic talent and his commitment to historical accuracy. His nose art replicas on aircraft skin have been showcased worldwide, including at the Smithsonian Museum, and his extensive collection of nose art remains one of the largest globally. His expertise earned him the title of “Mr. Nose Art.” Clarence wrote two books, RAF & RCAF Aircraft Nose Art in World War II, and The History of Aircraft Nose Art – the later co-authored with Jeffry L. Ethell.

An exceptional storyteller and dedicated researcher, Clarence shared his passion for nose art and his vast knowledge of its history with people of different ages and backgrounds. He was invited to give lectures at different settings, such as elementary schools, art colleges, museums, and galas. His genuine love and enthusiasm for nose art captivated his listeners, as he always had the right story for the right audience; his listeners were able to relate to the stories he told.

To his family and those who knew him, Clarence was an honest, hardworking, generous man, with a big heart and a warm smile. He was known by his deep sense of humor and his love for good times with friends and family. He had a great appreciation for food, including Mexican food, cold cerveza, sun baths, and swimming in the ocean. A man who thrived outdoors, Clarence was a gifted gardener and painter, often working with his hands to create beautiful things. Each year, friends and family looked forward to his handmade (and often hilariously unique) Christmas and birthday cards, which captured his joyful spirit.

Clarence will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him; his laughter, stories, paintings, and the joy he brought into the world live on in our hearts. His legacy lives on, not only in his family but also in the lives of all those who learned from, admired, and were inspired by his work.