Deacon Nicholas Michael Simonelli

SIMONELLI Deacon Nicholas Michael, of East Rutherford, passed peacefully on October 4, 2008. Born in Jersey City on August 17, 1922, he was the son of Nicholas and Eufemia (nee Petti) Simonelli. He attended William Dickinson High School through 10th grade. In 1938 he followed his heart, which led him to Graymoor Monastery, Friars of the Atonement, Garrison NY to begin his studies for the priesthood. He received his Temporary Vows - but God had other plans for him - and he left the monastery after five years of study.In 1943 he joined the Navy. Nick served as a 1st Class Petty Officer and 1st Class Yeoman aboard the USS Stribbling DD867. He then transferred to the Office of Commandant 3rd Naval District NY, where he was assigned to the Enlisted Distribution Center. He was honorably discharged in 1952.In October of 1946 he met the love of his life, Phyllis Miele, the only woman he ever dated! They married on June, 19, 1948, at Our Lady Mt. Carmel Church, Jersey City. A true match made in heaven, their marriage lasted 60 years until the passing of Phyllis on March 7, 2008. In 1955 Nicholas and his wife became the proud owners of their own home at 318 Laurel Place in East Rutherford and moved there with their three children, Nicholas Michael Jr., Regina Carmel, and John Joseph. Once they settled their family into their new home, their fourth child, Eugene Francis, was born. A loving, caring husband & father, he was a man with an enormous heart whose love he gave freely with his time, talents, substance, and opportunity for the good of others. Through the years he freely contributed his time and talent to the Roman Catholic Church. Nick and Phyllis ran the Cana program for married couples at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Jersey City. He also organized feast celebrations, church carnivals, and was assistant to the Choir Director.After moving to East Rutherford, Nick quickly involved himself in the community of St. Joseph's Church. He served as president of the Holy Name Society and as Spiritual Chairman for Band #5 Nocturnal Adoration, taught CCD classes trained altar servers and ran church carnivals, raffles, fund raisers, and dinner dances. Nick was a lector & Eucharistic minister, Cub Scout Master, and also served as adult advisor to the St. Joseph's CYO.In 1980 Nick retired from Teamsters Union Local 560 after driving a semi truck for Penn Yan Express for the better part of 30 years. He later served as Chaplain for the NJ Teamster Retirees.Nick began his studies for the Deaconate in 1978 and became ordained Permanent Deacon by Archbishop Peter L. Gerety at the Cathedral Basillica of the Most Sacred Heart, Newark NJ on April 11, 1981.Deacon Nick studied American Sign Language at Bergen Community College. His first ministry was to the Hearing Impaired of the Archdiocese of Newark. His faculties included presiding at weddings, baptisms and their instructions, funerals, wake services and commitals, proclaiming the Gospel & preaching the word of God at mass celebrations at St. Francis Ridgefield Park, St. John's Newark, and other parishes in the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark.Deacon Nick served the Pastoral Care Offices of Hackensack and Holy Name Hospitals, where he brought Eucharist to the sick and comforted the terminally ill & their families.During his service at St. Francis, Deacon Nick's ministry included assisting at, preaching, & proclaiming the Gospel at Sunday morning mass. He conducted Eucharistic Adoration on first Fridays, weekly Novenas, blessing of the throats, distributed ashes, and assisted priests with all the liturgical season's services throughout the year. He also taught CCD weekly and visited homebound parishoners.Deacon Nick is survived by his children, Nicholas Michael Simonelli and his wife Suzanne of Richborro PA, Regina Carmel of Bardonia NY, John