Robert E. "Bob" Simko

NAUGATUCK, CT: Robert E. "Bob" Simko, 62 of Naugatuck, entered into eternal life on January 20, 2023 at St. Mary's Hospital (hospice) after an incredibly heroic and #faithCONQUERSfear 4 year battle with Stage 3 Multiple myeloma cancer. He was the beloved husband of 35 years to Kimberlee (Costigan) Simko. Bob was born in Homestead, PA on December 3, 1960, son of Edward and Shirley (Scaife) Simko.
Bob worked for 11 years as a Department Manager at Lowes in Derby, CT. Prior to that he was the owner / operator of Simko's Home Improvements, and Print Room Supervisor / Programmer at CUC International. He served our country in the United States Navy as a Cryptologic Technician Collections (CTR) operator and achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7) in September 1992. Bob worked with state-of-the-art computer systems to conduct Information Operations; collect, analyze and exploit signals of interest to identify, locate and report worldwide threats; control and safeguard access to classified material and information systems; and provide tactical and strategic signals intelligence, technical guidance, and information warfare support to surface, subsurface, air, special warfare units, and national consumers to maintain information dominance. Bob was one of the fastest code copiers in the US Navy at 45GPM (groups per minute). As a Submariner he was often called upon to serve on highly classified missions in support of "cold war" initiatives.
His duty stations, assignments, and awards include: NSGA Misawa, Japan, NSGA Northwest, Virginia, and NAVCOMSTA, Rota, Spain. During his time assigned here, he was deployed and served aboard the USS Spadefish (SSN-668), USS Birmingham (SSN-695), USS Seahorse (SSN-669), USS L Mendel Rivers (SSN-686), USS Guardfish (SSN-612), USS Omaha (SSN-677), USS Drum (SSN-677), USS Aspro (SSN-648), USS Midway (CV-41), USS Stanley (CG- 32), and the USS Knox (FF-1052); the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Expert N-14 Rifle, Overseas Service Ribbon (6), and Good Conduct (2).
Bob was a communicant of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Naugatuck. During his 15 years of military service (10 years active duty and 5 years active reserve) Bob played competitive racquetball, volleyball, and softball. He was a dedicated and highly competitive runner, clocking a consistent 4:50 mile, and running twice in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. His passions were fishing, skiing, training dogs. He loved to travel the world and enjoy the experiences that came along with that. He was an accomplished and self taught carpenter, plumber, mechanic, painter, and electrician, and was often referred to as "MacGyver" by family and friends. He LIVED his life fully and without regret, with his family being his greatest love.
In addition to the love of his life, Kimberlee, Bob leaves his devoted, loving, and selfless children Zachary and Alexis Simko of Naugatuck; his loving parents, Edward and Shirley Simko Sr., brothers William "Billy" Simko (Patty), and Edward "Eddie" Simko Jr., of North Huntingdon, PA., his sister-in-law Kelly (Costigan) Shamansky of Hamden, CT., his "adopted" mother, Penelope DiBenedictis, from Naugatuck, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and too many friends to mention. He would be remiss not to mention his "adopted" children of whom he was incredibly fond of; Stephanie Conlon, Nick Markette, Zoila Jurado, Ashley Norton, and Kristina Padelli, who all brought great joy to his life. Bob was pre-deceased by his paternal grandparents John and Ester (Luek) Simko, Uncle, Jeff Simko all of West Mifflin, PA., and his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Marion (Dechio) Costigan, who considered him their son.
We would like to thank our medical family at the Harold Leever Cancer Center, especially his Nurse Dawn, Karen (PA), Dr. Yueming Chang, Oncologist, and Dr. Jody Noe, Naturopathic Oncologist, North Stonington, CT., and Dr. Paul Richardson, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA.
Calling Hours will be Saturday January 28 th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at ST. Michael's Episcopal Church On The Green, 210 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT. A Funeral Service of Requiem Eucharist followed by Full Military Honors will immediately follow at the church. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob's name can be made to the Joe Garassino Foundation, Thomaston Savings Bank,565 Main Street, Watertown, CT 06795 (www.joegarassino.org/donate). The arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church St., Seymour. For more information or to leave a memory of Bob, please visit us at www.hullfh.com
For those unable to attend Bob's services in person, please copy either of the links below to your web browser to view remotely.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXRf1l2llL11491jAFo7GcQ
https://www.facebook.com/groups/111458864250