Samuel R. DeSimone

Samuel R. DeSimone, 79, of Worcester, devoted husband, father, grandfather, dear friend and distinguished attorney, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2008 in his home surrounded by his family. Sam was born in Worcester, son of Charles A. DeSimone, Sr. and Nancy (Belmonte) DeSimone. Sam contributed to numerous social, civic, political, educational and charitable organizations throughout his life. He graduated from Tabor Academy, earned his B.A. from Amherst College in 1950 and his J.D. from Georgetown University School of Law in 1953, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Corps in 1954-56. Sam started his private law practice in 1957 and served as an Assistant Attorney General of Massachusetts in 1960-62 and 1970-75. He joined the Worcester law firm Mountain, Dearborn & Whiting, LLP in 1983 and served as a Senior Partner. He was a member and Past President of the Worcester County Bar Association where he founded the Volunteer Lawyers Program. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association where he founded and served as Past President of the Bar Advocates Program and served on the Joint Bar Committee on Judicial Appointments. He was a Past Chairman of the St. Thomas More Society and in 1988 received the St. Thomas More Society Distinguished Attorney Award. In 1990, the Massachusetts Bar awarded Sam the Community Service Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service. In 1994, Sam was admitted as an attorney to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1979-92, he was Town Counsel for West Boylston in 1979-92. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Commerce Bank in Worcester since 1993.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Ann Church where he served as Chairman of the Committee to Construct Housing for the Elderly and Chairman of the Italian Cultural Center. He was a founding member and two-term President of the UNICO Club of Worcester, and a member of the ITAM Club and the Worcester Club. In 1992, he received the Achievement Award from The Sons of Italy Worcester Lodge 168. Sam was a Director of the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce and received the "Key to the City" of Worcester for Outstanding Community Service in 1992. He was an active member of the Worcester Country Club where he served on the Audit Committee.

Sam is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kristin H. (Wallmuller) DeSimone; his beloved family, a daughter, Kristin A. Burns, her husband Robert and their children Kaitlin, Tyler, and Maura all of Whitinsville, his three sons, Samuel R. DeSimone, Jr. his wife Elizabeth and their children, Mia, Ariadne and Joely all of Atlanta, Georgia, John C. DeSimone, his wife Catherine and their children, Julia, Ashley and Lisa all of Southboro, Philip A. DeSimone, his wife Ann and their children, Erin and Nora all of Dedham; a brother, Charles A. DeSimone, Jr. of Naples, Florida; two sisters, Henrietta Skowronski of Alta Loma, California, and Dorothy DeSimone of Worcester; many other relatives, colleagues and friends.

The funeral will be held Saturday, May 24 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. with a Mass celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Friday, May 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen for a Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate, 89 South Street, Suite LL01, Boston, MA 02111.