Joseph Samuel DeSimone

Joseph S. DeSimone, 67, of Lower Burrell, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.  

He was born in New Kensington to Renetta Cieslinski DeSimone and the late Ralph DeSimone.  

Joe attended Mount Saint Peter Church, New Kensington and Amplify Church, Plum.

Joe graduated from high school early to give the family business, Central Office Products in New Kensington, a one-year trial run. It didn’t take long for Joe to realize this was where he belonged, learning and working alongside his father, grandfather, Joseph S. DeSimone, and his brother Ralph A. DeSimone. Until his death, Joe enjoyed a close working relationship with his brother as co-owners of Verizon Wireless stores along with two of Joe’s sons, Daniel and Dustin.  

Joe was a gifted and talented man, considerate and thoughtful and charitable with his time and money, even when he couldn’t afford to be.  Joe had a joke for every occasion. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially going on relaxing ocean cruises, working on cars, dirt-biking with his sons, and driving his car at the track. Joe had an entrepreneurial spirit - he designed and manufactured an automotive part that is still selling internationally.  

Joe was diagnosed with scleroderma almost 40 years ago, and his doctors marveled at his living life so fully for more than 39 years post diagnosis, attributing this to his fitness level. He was passionate about anything on two or four wheels and was a prolific bicyclist. One memorable bicycle trip was to Seven Springs Mountain Resort and back in nine hours. In 1980 Joe rode his BMW motorcycle to California in four days. The next year he rode to Newfoundland, Canada, to the easternmost point in North America where he had a revelation and told his riding partner they must return home immediately so he could propose to his then girlfriend, now wife of 42 years, Roberta Bonazza DeSimone.  

Joe was a certified driving instructor for the PCA (Porsche Club of America), but much preferred driving over instructing.  Some of his favorite racetracks are Road America in Wisconsin, Watkins Glen, NY, Road Atlanta, Mid-Ohio and COTA in Austin TX. Joe’s last event was this past January at Sebring International, Sebring FL.  He also visited Le Mans, France three times in recent years to cheer on his good friend’s team of drivers at 24 Hours at Le Mans.

Joe’s favorite pastime at the track was hanging out with close friends who dubbed their PCA group the BS-ers, including fellow BS-er and best friend, Hal Jones.

Besides his mother, brother, and wife, he is survived by his three sons, David Joseph DeSimone of New York City, Daniel Joseph DeSimone, and Dustin Joseph DeSimone, both of Lower Burrell, his sister, Susan DeSimone and her husband, David Little, of Ballston Lake, NY.

Joe donated his lungs and heart to the UPMC Scleroderma Research Foundation.

A private Celebration of Life will be forthcoming.  

Arrangements were under the care of the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD. 
 

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