Matthew J. DeSimone Sr.

DESIMONE, Sr., Matthew J. Matthew J. DeSimone, Sr., 65, of Newington, left us peacefully on Thursday (December 10, 2009). The beloved husband of 40 years to Donna (Janes) DeSimone, Matt will be dearly missed to those who knew him as father, grandfather, father-in-law, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend. Born in Hartford to the late Matthew E. DeSimone and Laura (Silvestri) DeSimone, Matt has been a Newington resident for the past 37 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and retired after 45 years from Connecticut Natural Gas as a service mechanic. He loved working for CNG where he was known as Matty to his "extended family" there. Matt was dedicated to his family and he was always there for anyone who needed him. He enjoyed coaching many successful little league teams as well as teaching his boys how to fish and shoot, and more recently they enjoyed motorcycle rides together. A motorcycle enthusiast, Matt was also a life member of the Hartford Gun Club and the N.R.A., the Randall Knife Society, and the CT Fly-fisherman's Association. Everyone who knew Matt loved him for his genuine loving and caring nature, and his keen wit. His unique delivery could make even a bad joke funny and spending time with him was always a joyful experience. In addition to his loving wife and mother, Matt leaves his two sons, Matthew J. DeSimone, Jr. of East Berlin, and David R. DeSimone and his wife Kate of East Granby; his brothers, Gary DeSimone, and Ronald DeSimone and his wife Michele of Rocky Hill; and the light of his life, his cherished granddaughter, Ella Grace DeSimone who knew him as Poppi; his uncle John DeSimone and his wife Alice of Old Saybrook; his aunts, Anne Laurinaitis and Dorothy Silvestri of Newington, and Ada Salerni of New Britain; his nephews, Jamie DeSimone of Rocky Hill, Kenneth Johnson and his wife Jennifer; his great-niece and nephew Kelsey and Dalton Johnson of Vero Beach, FL; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dale and Jim Hendry also of Vero Beach, FL; and many dear, loving, cousins and friends. Matt's family would like to thank all of Matt's neighbors and friends for all their love and support, the staff at Yale-New Haven Hospital for their loving and devoted care especially Medical Oncology – 9W, Neurosurgery ICU, and Medical 5-7, and the most compassionate staff at Masonicare for their wonderful care and support. Matt's funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 14, from the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church in Newington. Interment will take place in West Meadow Cemetery in Newington immediately following the Mass. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Newington Memorial. Memorial donations may be made to Yale Cancer Center, Melanoma Clinic, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510-3206 or Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, East Hartford, CT 06108. To share a memory with Matthew's family please visit us at www. newingtonmemorial.com.