Alarm Industry Pioneer Ted Simon Dies at 88

Ted Simon, who earned several patents for his work in the alarm industry, is remembered for his innovative approach.
Published: July 25, 2024

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Alarm industry pioneer Theodore “Ted” Simon died Tuesday, July 23, 2024, surrounded by family members, according to a statement released by his children this week.

Before his death, Simon battled several illnesses, according to the family statement. He was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 28, 1936. He graduated from Printers Vocational High School in Brooklyn and joined the Navy in the 1950s, where he served as a plank owner on the USS DuPont.

Simon began his engineering journey at the City College of New York, where he became the first person in his family to graduate from college. In the 1970s, with three young children, Simon started his own company, one that would eventually become known as Fire Burglary Instruments, Inc.

He earned several patents for his ideas and products, which “were widely used in homes and companies,” according to the family statement.

SSI Newsletter

“At one point it was hard to walk into a home without seeing the initials FBII on a panel box for an alarm system,” the statement says.

Simon later joined with Honeywell to develop intricate systems to secure homes and peoples’ lives.

He is survived by his wife Arlene and their daughters Michelle and Jamie. He was predeceased by his son Scott, who was the co-founder of the company 2GIG Technologies. He is also survived by seven grandchildren.

Industry Reacts to Ted Simon’s Death

Several of Simon’s closest friends and industry colleagues reacted upon hearing the news of his death.

“What comes to mind is his love of the industry with his understanding of using technology to make people’s lives better and more secure,” says Ralph Sevinor, president of Wayne Alarm Systems, Inc. “He was unique in that he was not just an engineer at a bench; he was out in the field listening to customers and end users constantly developing a better system.

“He adopted the electronic security industry as part of his own family along with his wife Arlene. They were a perfect couple.  Ted continued working behind the scenes in developing even the latest systems. The electronic security profession is in a far better place because of the efforts of Ted Simon and we all are at a loss,” he says.

Monitoring Matters columnist Peter Giacalone, who worked for Simon, calls him “a true technology trailblazer. Most importantly, he was a true gentleman and great human being. I was a very loyal dealer of FBII before I had the opportunity to work for Teddy, Barry and their company.

“It was during that time that I really understood the depth of his technology foresight and forged a longtime and valued relationship with Ted and his son Scott,” says Giacalone.

Ted Simon’s memorial services will be held at noon on Friday, July 26 at Gutterman Funeral Home, 8000 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, N.Y. 11797.

Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series