Anthony Miroslav Simunek

Anthony Miroslav Simunek
August 9, 1976 ~ December 30, 2009

MONTEREY - We celebrate and remember the life of Anthony Miroslav Simunek, born August 9, 1976, who went home to be with the Lord on December 30, 2009 at the age of 33.
Tony, a first generation U.S. national whose family immigrated from the Czech Republic, was born in Santa Monica and moved with his family to the Monterey Peninsula at the age of three. He attended Monterey schools and graduated from Monterey High in 1994. Tony played the drums and also received recognition for his skills in photography.
After proving himself an excellent worker and valuable asset at several local companies and businesses (Monte Vista Market from the age of 12, Surfaces, and Walton & Sons), he took over his father's masonry company, European Masonry, in 2002. Over the seven years he operated as owner, he successfully grew the business and completed hundreds of jobs throughout the Monterey County, both small and grand, always surpassing expectations and still striving to become better at his craft. He always said it was the best feeling to know he had truly made someone happy at the end of a day.
A stone mason by profession, Tony moonlighted as mechanic, inventor or "cobbler" with multiple projects always being worked on, be it truck, vintage car, motorcycle or boat. He had a unique way of taking something forgotten and broken and making it special and better than new.
For his 6th birthday his father gave him his first dirt-bike, an Ital-jet he still had when he passed. So began the life-long love of riding anything with two wheels. He was known for his wheelies, especially in somewhat inappropriate locations, but also relished the feeling of long scenic rides out to Arroyo Seco, down the coast to Big Sur, or wherever seemed like an interesting stretch of pavement. Rides with friends were always looked forward to and track days at Laguna Seca were taken full advantage of.
Many summer weekends Tony spent lakeside with friends and family. He was always happy surrounded by those he loved with the sun on his face, the wheel in his hand, his head moving in time with the music and singing along. It wasn't uncommon for he and his friends to work through the night on a boat motor just to get it in the water the next day (to make that happen).
His son, Joseph, was born two-and-a-half years ago on Father's Day, the happiest day of his life, he'd say. He was an amazingly fun and loving daddy. So proud of his baby bird.
Tony Simunek was someone you couldn't help but love. He was charismatic and genuine; generous and hard working; fun-loving and spontaneous. He loved making people happy and had a knack for giving nicknames that stuck. He had a great laugh. He could be found telling someone a little known fact about one of the numerous U.S. or European cities he visited, or how a rear wheel differential works. If someone he cared for was in need he'd give whatever he had. If you forgot your license plate number, chances were good he'd remember it and every other car he knew you had driven. He cleaned up nice, but preferred wearing jackets that may have said he worked for the city and his name was Alfonso. He was a bit random. He was so very loved.
He leaves behind his son, Joseph Timothy Simunek; Joseph's mother, Amelia Simunek; his mother, Miroslava Simunek; sister, Yvette Simunek (Jay Edwards); his grandmother, Antonie Chmelikova of the Czech Republic; parents-in-law, Marian and Timothy Hrusa; sisters-in- law, Essie and Ella Hrusa; niece, Katie Hrusa, all of the Monterey Peninsula; step-mother, Jana Simunek; step-brother, Thomas Brousek (Karin, his wife); step-sister, Tereza Mader (who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Lucas, and Denis, her husband); and was pre- deceased by his father, Anthony Joseph Simunek in the Czech Republic; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and too many amazing, close friends to name throughout the West Coast and in the Czech Republic. Last but not least, his loyal animals, Abby, Bucket and Edward.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of his life will be held at the Laguna Seca Raceway Trackside Pavillion on Friday, January 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. A trust account for his son has been set up at Chase Bank, Account #2937382477.