Joseph F. Simoni

All who knew Joseph F. Simoni would agree that he put the sparkle into the world around him. He was larger than life with a heart that was as endless as the sky is blue with an unconditional love that extended to all who were within his reach. It was no secret that Joe was blessed to spend much of his journey with the love of his life, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were his greatest source of pride and joy. Life will never be the same without Joe here, but the lives of countless others will be forever shaped because of his love.It seems only fitting that Joe’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the Roaring Twenties when jazz music, the Charleston, and motion pictures in both color and sound colored the cultural fabric of America. The lights of Broadway never shined brighter, and Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball America’s favorite pastime. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Luigi and Valterina (Refice) Simoni as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the promise of spring began to unfold in the city of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, in 1927. The big day finally arrived on March 16th when the baby boy they named Joseph F. drew his first breath. He was one of nine children in his family and was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Peter, Albert, Mario, and Anthony “Zeke,” and his four sisters, Mary, Relly, Ann, and Tillie.As a young man Joe proudly served in the United States during the days of WWII, but what was of great significance around that time was his introduction to the young woman with whom he would write a love story that would span several years. Her name was Elizabeth Manno, and it wasn’t long after they met that they found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Joe and Elizabeth were married. Together they were blessed with the births of five children, Bernadette, Rosanne, Mary Frances, Joseph C., and Michael A.From the moment his first child was born, Joe fully immersed himself in his role as a father. He was an active part of his children’s lives, and he was an excellent role model for them. Since Joe loved to travel they loved vacations, and over the years they visited every Civl War battlefield, much to his children’s dismay! When his children asked him for money, Joe was famous for saying, “My name is Simoni, not some money!” His Italian heritage and traditions were always of the utmost importance to Joe, especially as his children grew older and had families of their own. He particularly looked forward to the Christmas season because it meant going to Wholley’s in Pittsburgh for a fish sandwich. It was Joe who was the taste tester at their Italian Christmas Eve, and he started the tasting right at 9 a.m. He took great care in making sure that the food tasted right for everyone else. Joe’s favorite food to taste was the fried sugar dough, and for every two that were fried he “tested” one. He loved the weekend breakfasts at Steak’ n’ Shake and would always be awake bright and early so he would be good and ready to go.A longtime resident of Monaca, Joe was someone whom everyone seemed to know. He made a career as an electrician at J&L Steel and Aliquippa Works, retiring with over 30 years of service. Not one to sit idly by, Joe also worked in the maintenance department of New Brighton High School. In addition, he was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. For years Joe carried the San Rocco statue as the procession marched through the streets of Aliquippa during the San Rocco Festival. Giving, generous, and selfless, Joe regularly visited the needy and sick children, often providing them with gifts, particularly during Christmas.Throughout his life Joe was a bustle of activity. Shortly after retiring he treated himself and his wife with the trip of a lifetime to Italy. Joe and Elizabeth also traveled throughout the United States over the years. At times they went gambling together, and she spent the money while he took in the sites and hunted down the hot dog stands. During their younger years, Joe and his wife were a blast to watch on the dance floor as they both knew how to cut a rug. He was a man of many talents including painting, writing, poetry, drawing, repairing things around the house, and cooking at times. Joe had extensive collections of records, movies, and coins, and he enjoyed reading, listening to music, and watching old movies.Funny, intentional, hardworking, and fun-loving are just a few of the words that describe the man Joseph Simoni was every day. He had a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days, and his generosity extended to all. Joe savored each and every day he was given and always said he was getting better every day when asked how he was doing. Everyone waited for Joe to arrive since there was nothing like his stories and jokes, and his zest for life was contagious. He leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on.Joseph F. Simoni, of Monaca, died on Thursday, February 19, 2015. Joe’s family includes his five children, Bernadette (Robert) Olack, of Leetsdale, Rosanne ‘Wudgie’ Russo of Spanish Fort, Ala., Mary Frances Horzempa and her husband, Joseph, of Center Twp., Joseph C. Simoni of Monaca and Michael A. Simoni and his wife, Debbra, of Conway; 13 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren; a brother, Peter P. Simoni of Aliquippa and many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth (Manno), on January 19, 2002; daughter-in-law, Michelle Simoni; three brothers, Albert, Mario, and Anthony ‘Zeke’ Simoni; and four sisters, Mary, Relly and Ann Simoni and Tillie Morelli. Friends will be received Sunday from 7-9 p.m. and Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where parting prayers will be offered Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the Beaver County Special Unit at 11 a.m. at the cemetery. The family has suggested memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Monaca Police Department, Christmas Fund, Jim Ball, Chairman. 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