Edward Simoncelli Obituary

Dad,
I'll never forget what you would always say to me when I was expecting Matthew and JJ. My baby's having a baby. Now, as I was expecting Tessa,I would always hear your words in my mind. My baby's having a baby. I wish you were here to hold her, but I know you can see her. She is just so beautiful. Mom said that when I hold her, I am holding a piece of you. That makes me so proud.
I love you.
I always be your baby.

Hi Uncle Ed,
Just was thinking about you and how much I miss you. Not one day goes by I don't think of you. Wish you were here with us still. It's still weird without you being here and not over at our house Sunday mornings. Seeing your picture on my desk every day makes me happier knowing you're watching over me and everyone else. Miss you lots and love you even more.

Happy Father's Day Dad. I love you so much.

First of all, I want to thank my big brother Eric for keeping this guest book online. As we all know, our family is huge - and this is just another means for us to collectively reminisce and share our most special and cherished memories of my dad, the greatest man I've ever known.

Dad,
Today is the anniversary of the day that we last said our good-byes. I cannot express how painful this past year has been without you. Not a day has gone by where I haven't thought of you. Most of life around me has lost its luster - as when you left, a part of me went with you. I think I have been in denial all this time. I've caught myself looking at the door just waiting for you to walk through it. It wasn't until your gravestone arrived this past month when it finally hit me. Seeing your name carved on the stone hurt me more than I could have imagined.

Over this past year, I've often thought of how you would guide me as I've faced many challenges. You always knew what to do. I hope that as I've made several important decisions over this past year that they are all decisions you would have believed in - and most importantly that you would be proud of. I will continually strive to see things through your eyes and continue my journey through life with your wisdom on my wings.

I struggled with with my emotions as I spoke at your funeral for the eulogy. Here is my portion of the eulogy, part one:

My dad was my hero. My inspiration. He taught me how to be strong in the most difficult times. He taught me how to be independent and loving. He taught me how to believe in myself even when I had a shadow of doubt. How to persevere - reach for my goals - and never give up on my dreams. He taught me how to be selfless, a quality of his that I admire most. But above all, he taught me the importance of family. I have always felt so proud to have him as my dad. Growing up, my friends and my brothers friends would always tell me how much they loved my dad and how they felt that he was like a father to them as well. If felt so lucky that he belonged to me - the best dad in the whole world was mine.

At my wedding, my dad gave a beautiful speech. He spoke about me and our whole family. He said his mother, Carmella, was one of eight children. One of five sisters. His Uncle Philip who married the oldest sister (Aunt Lou) would tell him that "when God made the sisters, he threw away the mold". My dad respectfully disagreed. He said that I am like his mother and aunts. He continued to describe the traits he believed I possessed as he talked - however, I feel those qualities truly describe him. I brought with me a page from my dad's speech that night and I want to share his words with you - only I want to replace my name with his.

(to be added)

I will always remember his speech that evening and how it truly portrays his character.

I am proud to carry on the legacy my father has passed on to me and my brothers. We will try our best to do as well as he would in teaching his grandchildren about life. We may not be able to make them smile as bright - or be able to discipline with only what is know as "the look" - or provide such great wisdom. But we will always stop and think, "what would dad do?" and we will try our best.

Just like we say in our family, dad, we are living a legacy. All that we are, we will pass on to our children. Our hopes, our dreams our character. We will let our actions stand tall in our children's eyes. Just as the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, children do not stray far from their heros.

In our family - in the family my dad created - we have an incredibly strong bond. There are just some things that go without saying and we all just know it. But I just want to say it anyway. I love you dad. I love you with all my heart.

Well dad, just like you always say, "I'll see you later".

Happy Birthday Uncle Ed! Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Love you and miss you so much.

-Angela Simoncelli

I love you uncle Ed i will definitely miss coming over on Thanksgiving After the Turkey Bowl and eating dunkin donuts. I love you and miss you.

To My Great Uncle,

The world is now a sadder place because you are gone. You helped make me who I am today. Not a day will go by that I won’t think of you and all the great times we shared together. How thankful I am that I have those memories with you. Not many people get to be so close to their great uncle and are able to call them a second father. And that is what you are to me. You are the strongest man I know. As my dad said before, God broke the mold when he made you. How true that is. This is going to be very hard for me to get through but I know you are better now. You will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ll let you know when I have my next UW sighting. I miss you! I love you with all my heart.

Your Great Niece,
Ashley

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Eulogy for Edward Simoncelli, from his son Eric; Part 2 of 3

I thought a lot about what I’d say about my dad today. I thought. And I thought some more. I know I take after him when it comes to thinking. As you know my dad was a teacher and he and my mom are the reasons why I am who I am. And following in his footsteps, I became a teacher too. Of the countless things to remember and share about my dad, and after talking with all of you and sharing so many stories, it dawned on me what to talk about. Of all the lives that my dad touched we can all agree how great of a thinker he was. Am I right?

Our first reading today was from the book of wisdom. How fitting for my dad. So let’s all think about how my dad shared his thoughts. My dad loved my mom more than life itself, and I can see why. What a woman. He shared his life with my mom and said he was the luckiest man on earth, tell my brother how proud he was in the man he became, and tell my sister how proud he was in the woman she became. He loved me too, I know that. Time after time he sat at our kitchen counter or in his spot on the gray couch just talking to us. And my dad sat in all your homes as your brother, uncle, nephew, cousin or friend, on the playing field as your coach or teammate, in the workplace or anywhere as your colleague, as your teacher and mentor, or on the phone for hours no matter who you were. And we remember how he made us feel. And we remember how he made us think. His warmth and his wisdom drew us in. And you know my dad welcomed everyone. He spoke with and related to young people as well as old. He spoke with different people of different backgrounds and all with different stories. You know he listened to you. And you know he cared about you, what you thought, and what you had to say. My dad talked about everything. And he didn’t just talk about things. He knew so much about so many things. Things like religion, politics, sports, education, the economy, relationships, and so much more. He chatted with you about everything in life. My dear friends and relatives, you counted on my dad for his wisdom and advice. He helped you with your finances, your jobs, buying, selling, and even building your homes, and anything that could make your lives better. And he helped you through your hardships, your health problems, your relationship problems, and things that could make the people around you happier and healthier. My dad had the biggest heart of any man I’ve ever known. But let’s not forget that he had an open mind and he absolutely loved learning. My dad wasn’t often wrong, certainly in the eyes of those who loved him, but he did learn to make things right if he was wrong. He certainly knew how to walk the right path.

Before my dad went into the hospital for the transplants, I had the most important conversation I ever had with my dad. You all need to know. One night while sitting with my dad on the gray couches in our living room, we talked about God. Here’s what we talked about… despite some painful things that we all experience in life, we talked about the beautiful things in life that just make sense. And these things are perfect in every way. Namely we discussed music, and how beautiful and orderly (as a math teacher, I stress orderly) notes and chords come together to make a song. And there are countless examples in life like this that we can all relate with. Everyone here can think about things like appreciating nature, enjoying friendship, sharing laughter or a smile with people, thinking and learning, and most of all, Love. Needless to say, this conversation had a profound impact on my dad. Weeks later he brought it up to me again and you could tell he thought deeply about our talk. Here’s what my dad said and I quote, “Eric, there are things in this world that are just too orderly. Man couldn’t have created things that are so perfect.” I knew his faith was strong. But it was so good to hear him tell me. And I knew he was a thinker, even when it came to his faith.

Part of my grieving process is hearing and sharing stories with so many of you. I don’t say much, but I listen. As a thinker myself, and as a math teacher with a degree in science and math, logic dictates quite a bit of how I think. I am sad that my dad isn’t here anymore. But I rationalize just like my dad did throughout his entire life. Evolution explains so much about how we got here, no matter how far you trace back our existence. But using math and science as a means of learning, I’ll let you all think about the following question: Can you make something out of nothing? (go ahead, use any example in life) … My dad would say no. And I would agree. So remember my dad would want you to think. And he would want you to know that God is literally found all around us.

My dad’s legacy will live on in all of us and in different ways. How he communicated his love for us touched us in so many ways. We’ll never stop thinking about my dad and walking the path that he would want us to follow. I know all of you loved my dad, and I know you all learned from my dad. I want you all to know how happy all of you made him too. And how much he learned from you! On behalf of my father, my dearest mother, a woman that has been through so much and I would die for, my brother and sister; we thank you for being in my dad’s life. So thank you. And we love you too.


I am going to miss you so much. I love you dad.

I will never forget all the sports memories between our families. We spent a lot of time together when Eric and I were younger and I could never forget. You were a great man and you will be missed by the thousands of hearts you have touched throughout the years. My wife Kate and I send our deepest sympathies to the Simoncelli family and wish you all the health and happiness life can bring to you all.

Eddy, im going to miss talking to you i love you man your old buddy frank mucciante

Ed is a great friend, and because he will always be remembered by the lives he touched, he will live on in those lives and the lives they all touch in the future as well. He always gave of himself for the benefit of others. I am glad I could know him. He was called to coach at a higher level...

Dear Simoncelli family,
I retired from the U of I 5 years ago, where I had the pleasure of working with Ed, Emil, and Wayne. Ed always knew how to bring out the humor in a situation...he will be missed.

To the family of Edward Simoncelli.

It is never easy to extend condolence to the bereaved.

Ed was a fine man whole loved and respected his family and friends. He is in a better place after a long struggle, but his loss of presence will always be felt forever. Ed will always be remembered for his benevolent nature and quick wit. Being the youngest of four brothers he easily developed thier courage and kindness towards others. These fine qualities are what made him the outstanding person we all loved and respected. God has a new right hand man.

How blessed we all have been to have had "Uncle Ed" touch our lives. He was one of the best people I have ever known and I'm glad we shared such a special bond!