Saturday, January 25, 2020
Dad, I still can't believe you are gone. It is so hard to accept. I love you so much and will miss you and think of you every day.
Thank you to all the family and friends who have given so much love and support to me and my family. To my husband, Dan, for playing Ave Maria on the violin at the mass. To my brother-in-law, Mario, for his wonderful words. To my sister for holding my hand. And to my Mom, for being the rock for all of us.
I know some could not make it to the funeral, so I wanted to post the eulogy I wrote to honor my father.
"To say my Dad was a good man is an understatement. He was a great man. The best. I know lots of people make similar declarations when someone passes, but John Simonetti was without a doubt, the most genuine and loving person I know. Respected by his peers and adored by his family.
Growing up in Queens, his mother, Louise, and his father, Marino (Marty), raised Dad, and his brother, Bill, to be hard-working and family-oriented. Get good grades. Be kind and helpful to your elders. Find a good job. And they always did what they were told. He was always looking out for his little brother and taking care of those around him.
While a pretty good baseball player, a career in the major leagues was not in the cards. So, Dad took the values instilled in him as a child into adulthood where he was often found working 2-3 jobs at once, building a nest egg that would keep his family comfortable for decades to come.
When he met my mom, Diana, at a club on a wintery Friday the 13th, it was not his smooth pick-up line of “Are you lost?” that won her over. It was the fact that he actually listened when she spoke and showed sincere interest in her life. They met up the next night and had their official first date the week after on his birthday. The rest is basically history.
This May would have been their 48th year of marriage, where they survived the numerous mountains and valleys of life; some of those obstacles being the teenage years of their daughters, Denise and Melissa.
Luckily, once the angsty daughters grew up, Mom and Dad were able to confidently give them away to gain two amazing son-in-laws in Mario and Dan, as well as two beautiful and sweet granddaughters, Giovanna and Marina. My Dad truly enjoyed his time with his family. Whether it be watching the girls compete at gymnastics and karate, relaxing at the beach with a drink in hand or at a barbecue with a sambuca and cigar.
As most of you know, he was the talker of the family and always knew what to say and how to say it. He had a way of making anyone feel welcome and at ease in his presence. If you knew him, you were lucky to have him in your life.
He would do anything for anyone. If you needed a picture hung, he would show up the next day with a hammer and a nail. If you said you were hungry, he would arrive with groceries. If you casually mentioned a beer or wine you liked, he would Google away and once found, would order it and have it ready for you the next time he saw you.
Everybody here knows my Dad in a different way. As a mentor, a friendly neighbor, an IT professional, or seeker of the best breakfast joint.
For me, he is layers of hoodies and Manhattan cocktails. He is ice cream and cookies after a big, Italian dinner. He is Perry Mason and the Three Stooges. He is yelling at the Yankees game and going to bed at 6pm. The giver of heartfelt toasts and Hess trucks for Christmas. He is the photographer who steps in front of the hired photographer. He is checking in 10x a day and exclaiming “Oofah!” at the tiniest hint of disappointment. He is an extra wide smile and a bundle of nerves. He is the man that taught us to play softball and was surprisingly calm when we learned how to drive. He is always choosing the right thing when the wrong seems so easy.
I am not ready to say goodbye. I don’t think anyone in this room is. But here we are, and so many of you have come here today to support me and my family as we lean on each other and accept this moment.
Dad, you were taken away from us too soon. Please watch over everyone and protect us as you did when you were here. We love you so much and will miss you terribly until we can be together again. "
