Name: Visitation for WILLIAM P. SIMONETTI
Start: 2018-08-25T13:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-08-25T14:00:00.000Z
Location: Brown & Hickey Funeral Home

SIMONETTI, William P. Age 66, formerly of Belmont and Newton Centre. Died on Aug. 20, 2018. He was the beloved son of the late William T. and Andreana (Tornabene) Simonetti. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1969 and received his B.S. in Education in 1975 at Northeastern University where he was on the Dean's List and the Dean's Student Advisory Committee. Bill's ambition from childhood was to become a middle school teacher. However, sadly, his dream was never realized due to a tragic car accident. Prior to the accident, Bill had worked as a counselor, tutor and classroom instructor especially focused on helping learning-disabled children. After the accident, he valiantly overcame some of his injuries and found new ways to help others. Later in life, due to a severe fall, he became a resident of Golding Living Center, West Newton, where he passed away. Bill is survived by his loving aunt Mary R. Tornabene of Newton Centre, his devoted brother James E. Simonetti of Lowell, his caring friend of many years Shelley Patterson of Watertown, his former sister-in-law, Denise Simonetti of Norwood, his nieces, Christina Simonetti and her husband Israel Renton of Austin, TX and Danielle Simonetti of Newton Centre, his cousin, Helen Hurley and her husband Kevin of East Bridgewater and many relatives. Visiting hours in the Brown & Hickey Funeral Home, 36 Trapelo Road, Belmont, on Saturday, Aug. 25th from 9:00-10:00 Am. Followed by a funeral mass in Sacred Heart Church, 1317 Centre Street, Newton, at 10:30 Am. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William P. Simonetti Scholarship Fund, Northeastern University, c/o Carla Kindt, 402 CP, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA. 02115. Online guest book at www.brownandhickey.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Aug. 22 to Aug. 25, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM SIMONETTI

7 Entries

Luciano M. Contento

September 26, 2018

Oh man, RIP Billy.

When I was in middle school and early high school (roughly between 2009-2012), I used to go to the Belmont Public Library often to do my homework. I kept running into Billy by the computers, and one day we got to talking. After that, whenever I'd see him, we always chatted a bit.

Sometimes I struggled a little to understand him, sure, but our conversations were worth that effort. He was such a cheerful man, and it was inspiring to see that in someone who had had so much bad luck in his life. I remember when he told me about his car accident. It meant a lot to me then, as I was going through some major struggles of my own (my father had brain cancer, and actually passed away in 2012). Billy showed me that despite huge challenges in life, a person can still wind up happy.

We fell out of touch when I stopped going to the library for homework after my school attendance plummeted, and I never saw him again. Some years later I heard from Donna, another woman we used to see a lot at the library, that he had had a bad fall and was in a nursing home, but I never heard further.

Recently, I've been doing much better in life, and have been reflecting on my more trying times. In June, I googled Billy's name, and reached out to a few Belmont locals who might've known him, but got nowhere. I thought to do it again now, and that's how I found this obituary.

I'm sad to find I've missed my opportunity to thank him, but may he rest well. My heartfelt condolences to the Simonetti family for their loss.

Barbara Nyhen

August 27, 2018

Dear Mary and Simonetti Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time.
Our deepest sympathy,
Barbara and Maureen Nyhen

Shelley Patterson

August 24, 2018

With positive strength and great faith, Bill valiantly fought tremendous challenges and found ways to help many people throughout his life. His courage and compassion touched almost everyone he met. And, although his dream of teaching middle school children was not fully realized, he and his family did set up a scholarship to assist others to become teachers. Bill's intelligence, humor, and heart shone throughout his life. I hope that he rests in Eternal Peace and Love. My sincere condolences to his family, especially to his loving aunt and devoted brother.

Betty Mahoney Frongello

August 23, 2018

Billy you were such wonderful person. We had many laughs in Belmont Center. You overcame so much in life. May you rest in Peace with your mom and dad. Prayers to your family.

Carol Adler

August 23, 2018

To Bill's Family, Although I did not know him in person, Aunt Mary talked about this wonderful man in such glowing terms, and with such hope, that he became real to me. Please accept my sincerest condolences on Bill's passing. And for Mary, who was like his second mother, what a beautiful life in the face of tragedy you shared with Bill-time,talk,love, good memories that I hope you remember on these sad days.

Michelle Plakas-Kaiser

August 23, 2018

RIP, Billy

August 22, 2018

We would like to extend our condolences to the family . of William Simonetti . may God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted (Isa 61:1)

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