Mr. Simonato is a Second World War Veteran. He continues to preserve the history and promote awareness of Veterans in his community of Collingwood and beyond. Mr. Simonato was instrumental in the local Honour Walls project, which was unveiled in May, 2002 with two completed walls. Due to the popularity of the initiative and demand from the community, two more walls were added displaying the names and units of more than 520 Veterans. Mr. Simonato authored a book which gives a brief history of each Unit listed on the walls and he donated copies to the local library, Legion and Town Hall. With the help of government funding and community support, Mr. Simonato was instrumental in having the local cenotaph refurbished, which included the installation of a railing for the steps leading to the cenotaph. Mr. Simonato returned to Normandy for the 60th Anniversary where he renewed a connection with a community in which he fought during the War. Upon his return, he wrote a book based on his original journey in Normandy during the war, comparing it to his return trip and donated copies to the two sponsors who made his return trip possible. While back in Normandy on a cemetery tour, he discovered a Veteran's name that he did not recognize. Through research he learned the Veteran was murdered in France and with the collaboration of a resident from the Collingwood area, a DVD was created telling the true story of this individual. Concerned that the wartime services of local Veterans were being forgotten, Mr. Simonato completed two volumes on the military history of Collingwood, ranging from the 1800s to today's peacekeeping missions. Mr. Simonato donated these volumes to the local museum in 2009.