Xavier “X” Simonsen of Freedom, NH passed away following a mountain biking accident in the White Mountains on Friday, July 24, 2026 at the age of 71.

X was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1954. He served in the Air Force for 4 years before attending Wichita State University. He graduated with a degree in accounting in just 2.5 years while working full time. He went on to receive his law degree from the University of Kansas. He served as an estate tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service until 2020, when he retired. During his 36 years there, he charmed everyone he worked with.

So charmed, in fact, that it was during a work conference in New Orleans that he met the love of his life, Kathleen Craig. They fell in love over the phone and email, with trips between New Hampshire and Kansas. They were married in 2005 on South Beach in Chatham, MA. They filled their free time with adventures across every landscape: hikes in the mountains; kayaking lakes, rivers, and oceans; biking across Ireland and Cape Cod. A favorite of their daily rituals was a slow start to the day, sitting side by side with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Together, they would look out their living room window at the lake, the birds, the sky, and whatever wonders nature provided.

Commitment to family was X’s guiding principle. He was a devoted and loving father. His oldest daughter Eve “the Big Girl” remembers X as her fiercest advocate and most valuable life coach. There was no limit to the things he would do to protect her. Meg, his youngest daughter, joined X’s life when she was 10 years old. Without any hesitation, he loved her as his own. He changed Meg’s life with his unwavering support, sugary breakfast cereal, and enthusiasm for her interests.

X’s greatest joy in life was his grandchildren, Serenity Rose and Archie Xavier. X’s smiles were widest and his laughs were loudest when he was with them. He was so proud of the young people they are. Watching them grow, learn, and explore delighted him more than anything else in this world.

Over his lifetime, X enthusiastically filled any caregiver role he could: The Husband, The Father, The Grandfather, The Uncle, The Great-Uncle, The Son, The Brother, The Nephew, The Friend, The Godfather, The Dogfather, The Coach, The Referee. Whatever his role, he dedicated himself to it, which earned him the title of The X-Man. He will be remembered for the grand breakfasts he prepared, embracing and nurturing every person he met, and his love of God’s natural creation, the great outdoors.

Xavier was preceded in death by his father (and best friend) Thomas Simonsen, brother Darrell Spoon, brother Danny Spoon, and Ethel-the-Dog.

He is survived by his mother Pearline Simonsen, wife Kathleen Craig, daughter Genevieve Simonsen, son-in-law Robert Freeman, daughter Megan McLaurin, granddaughter Serenity Rose O’Neal, grandson Archie Xavier Freeman, sister Andree Sisco, sister Bernadette (Davey) Mann, sister Debbra (Bill) Wessells, many nieces and nephews, many cousins, and a poodle named Shirley.

The memorial service will be held 11 am Friday, July 31, 2026 at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Durham, NH. Reception to follow in the church’s reception hall. In lieu of flowers, a trust is being established for the college education of his grandchildren. Donations can be sent to the care of Kathleen Craig.

A second memorial service will be held in his home state of Kansas at a later date.