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Alvin Francis DeSimone

Our father, Alvin Francis DeSimone, passed away on March 28, 2020 with his family by his side.   Alvin was born on April 1, 1934, to the late Antonio and Angelina (DeSanto) DeSimone.   He was the father of Eric DeSimone and Carin (Moore) DeSimone of Newtown, PA,, Andre and Jamila (Juma) DeSimone of Nairobi, Kenya, and Rita DeSimone Schnell and Jonathan of Newtown, Pa.  He was the beloved husband of Hildegard DeSimone from June 1960 until her death in 2012.  Alvin was also the beloved grandfather of Alex and Marissa Schnell, Stephanie and Michael DeSimone, and Jasmin, Jason, and Jake DeSimone.  He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Donald DeSimone and his dear sister Pearl.  He is survived by his brother David in Grove City and sister Geraldine in Erie, PA. 

Alvin and Hilda moved to the Philadelphia area in 2007 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. After Hilda passed away in 2012, he carried on, but had many progressive physical issues, namely Parkinson's Disease, He had a hard road these past few years. He cheated death many a time. His strong Catholic faith helped him persevere. He was a member of St Gregory's Parish in North East, and later a member of St Andrew's Catholic Church in Newtown, PA. "I wanted to reminisce about what a great father he was during our formative years," as told by his daughter.

"I remember my dad running behind me when I got my training wheels removed from my banana seat bicycle. I remember him hugging me in uncontained excitement when I bowled my first strike. He built me a giant snow mountain so I could slide down it in my saucer (photo). We loved hanging  out on the front porch in North East, people from town stopping by to  chat long into the summer night. He taught me a mean game of poker and how to play chess. He loved country music but was also one of the few parents back in the late 60’s who  loved the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul and Mary. He definitely was a man of peace.  What sticks out the most in my mind is my dad was simply, a very kind man.  Even when I was in high school, asking, “Dad, what do you think, is so and so pretty?” He’d say, “well in her boyfriend’s eyes, she is.”  He never said  a bad word about anybody.  He didn’t like any kind of bigotry or dishonesty, and stood up for people, when it wasn’t so easy to do in the 70’s. He wasn’t necessarily a gregarious man—in fact, he was quite reserved— but he spoke up for others when it was needed. I cannot think of a better trait to possess than the latter.  What I also loved is he instilled confidence in us.  Not by overpraising us.  He showed a quiet trust in our decisions as young adults. When my brother wanted to join the Peace Corps in a tough part of West Africa, my dad didn’t suggest the idea. He didn’t  get overly involved. He didn’t say “Don’t go, it isn’t safe”. He just supported it. He trusted us. What confidence that gave us to succeed!

My dad was born in Erie, PA to very poor parents.  My grandpa came from Sicily by himself at age 13   My father was very bright man and was actually moved up ahead 2 grades in school. He was also sent to be raised by extended family for a while outside of Pittsburgh. It broke my heart sometimes, because I know for a while my dad often felt not “good enough”. He had a tough time fitting in at school, and felt unwanted sometimes by his parents. I know some others from that generation can relate to what I am talking about... My father attended Gannon University on full academic scholarship, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting in 1954.  He then served in the United States Army from 1954-1956.  He worked for Welch Foods in North East, PA for most of his adult life.  My father met my mom, Hildegard Rosa, here in America, when she came from Munich to visit and take care of her ailing uncle.  They got married on April 30th, 1960 at Saint Andrew's Church in Erie, PA.   Two souls who had challenging childhoods. They rose above and gave us a warm, happy home.  We didn’t have much money wise, but they gave us everything else. My dad would run from my brother’s wrestling matches to my swim meets. I’d look up and there he was, always in the stands.  My dad never brushed issues under the rug. We’d have our disagreements, we’d have our fun times, the whole gamut. What I loved most about my dad is he always tried to understand us. He was self-aware, he’d reflect, and he’d come back to us to talk it out. . He was a man who didn’t need to lecture us, because he spoke through his actions. He was a man of conviction.  When I was in 7 th grade I pestered him—“these kids get money for good grades, why don’t I?” And he said, “You aren’t doing it for me, you’re doing it for yourself”.  I remember telling him I thought it was unfair, but deep down I walked away knowing he was right.  My last day spent with my dad was listening to Glen Campbell.  Remember him?  “Try a Little Kindness”.   That was the epitome of my dad.  I hope he realizes what a wonderful person and father he was. I told him all of the time. I just hope he believed it♥️"

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