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Charles Simones Obituary
He was a 1951 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine. He graduated from Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, Mass., in 1958, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received a master's in education from Trinity College in Hartford in 1972. Father Simones married the former Joan Canacaris of Bath, Maine, in Portland, Maine, Sept. 28, 1958. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage together.
Father Simones served two parishes for a total of 48 years: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Quebec City, P.Q, Canada (three years); and St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church in New London (45 years). The family has resided in Waterford for the last 55 years.
Father Simones was honored with the title Sakellarios April 16, 1967, in Lewiston, Maine, and was named a Protopresvyteros by the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras May 5, 1983. Father Simones translated three books on the Elder Porphyrios. The first one is entitled, "Elder Porphyrios, Testimonies and Experiences." The second one is entitled, "The Divine Flame Elder Porphyrios Lit in My Heart." The third one is entitled, "Miraculaculous Occurrences and Counsels of the Elder Porphyrios." Father Simones retired from his post at St. Sophia Church in 2006. He was honored Oct. 8, 2006, by parishioners and friends for his 45 years of dedication to the parish at St. Sophia Hellenic Church and 48 years in the Greek Orthodox priesthood. He served the Three Hierarchs Chapel on the University of Connecticut campus at Storrs, for several years after his retirement.
He is survived by his wife Joan; his son Gregory Simones; his son Thomas Simones and his wife Genesis; his grandsons, George Simones and Dimitri Simones; and his former daughter-in-law Katina Simones. He was predeceased by his grandson Constantine Simones.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church, 200 Hempstead Street, New London. A memorial service will be held at 5 p m. A Matins and Divine Liturgy will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday morning, April 21, at the church. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the start of a Paschal Funeral for a Priest at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or share a memory with the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Simones
Sponsored by Byles Memorial Home - New London.
Paula (Berdoukas)Detuccio
April 10, 2024
May his memory be eternal
David Pelletier
September 2, 2023
To the Simones family-
Some time has passed and I just learned of the passing of Fr Charles Simones, whom my late mother, Frances Riel knew long ago as a guest organist at 1 of her favorite churches, St Sophia Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church, New London, CT. They shared a few things in common, both were originally from Maine and attended the same high school, Edward Little, my mother in 1950, Fr Simones in 1951, only to meet later in Connecticut via her musical ministry. I spoke to Fr Simones when my mother passed away in 2017 and he was very receptive and conversing, and im sorry to hear of his passing. May Fr Simones legacy live on by all who knew him in life. Respectfully submitted-
David Pelletier
Philadelphia, PA
(Son of Frances (Lachance-Pelletier) Riel (1931-2017)
James Thomas
June 9, 2023
Father Charles was a profoundly caring man, intelligent and highly spiritual, kindly, and sang with his beautiful voice. A fantastic and amazing man.
Vanessa Palmieri
May 17, 2023
My sincerest condolences to his family, he was a wonderful priest he baptized me and my three children. I'm so blessed to have had him throughout my life. RIP Father Charles
Aggie/Agape Brickates/Lane
April 23, 2023
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Father Charles. I will cherish the many wonderful memories of him. He married my sister and me, he christened my daughter Niki, having Tommy in my third grade class, and Father officiating the funerals my my mom and later my sister. He will be truly missed and please accept my sincere condolences to you Joann and your family.
Agape (Aggie) Brickates Lane
Fr. Simones blessed memory sharing his wisdom at Enders Island, Mystic CT.
Grace Zazzaro
April 21, 2023
Blessed memory of Fr. Simones sharing the wisdom of Christ and the saints. May his memory be eternal.
Mary Copeland
April 20, 2023
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Father Charles. May his memory be eternal, your loving niece, Mary Houlares Copeland and family
Eleni Pitsouli
April 20, 2023
Our deepest condolences!
We will always remember Father Charles at Greek events, smiling to all, giving his spiritual guidance and always blessings me, my son and my Greek school students with the myrrh from St Nicholas icon!
May his memory be eternal! Kalo Paradiso
Father Dennis McCarthy
April 20, 2023
Father Charles was an outstanding priest who was kind and humble. I took a series of classes on the Orthodox faith that he taught over 20 years ago. He was an excellent teacher and always represented God and his faith fervently. May God rest his soul and help his family, during this difficult time. Father Dennis McCarthy, St Ann Melkite Greek- Catholic Church
Eleni Dimitriou
April 19, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. May God Bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Grace Zazzaro
April 18, 2023
In loving memory of a larger-than-life person. He touched so many lives through his love for Jesus Christ.
We are deeply sorry for your loss Joan.
Please accept our condolences to the Simones family.
We will love you and miss you always Fr. Simone's dear spiritual Fr. and friend.
Theodore and Angela Soter
April 18, 2023
Presbytera Joanne, Greg, Tom and the entire Family, Our deepest condolences on the profound loss of Father Charles. He was so special in so many ways. May his beautiful memory be eternal. With Sympathy, Theodore and Angela
james krotsis
April 17, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Father Charles was the foundation and spiritual leader of Saint Sophia Greek orthodox church that will be dearly missed by the church community. During his 45 years of service to the church i had the blessings from Father Charles who baptized me, any many years later married me and my wife Diane at the Saint Sophia Church. A true blessing i will always remember him for.
Athena Dousis Cone
April 17, 2023
Memories, he married my husband and me, he baptized my children, he chrismated my husband, he conducted many of my families funerals and spoke from the heart. He was a special and important person in my life. May he memory be eternal.
Susan Borkowski Adkins
April 16, 2023
I was so very deeply saddened to hear the passing of Dear Father Simones. He was so instrumental to the precious times in my life..He married my husband and I in 1978, in a lovely wedding ceremony. He performed the beautiful christening for both of my sons. My dad passed away in 2008 and my mom in 2009. Father Simones was retired by then. My parents wishes were to have Father Simones, deliver the funeral service. When I contacted him, that is exactly what he did. He knew how much it meant to my parents, to have him there. It meant so much to me also. During that difficult time, I remember talking to him,with his comforting words and he gave me the book Elder Porphyrios, to find solace in..
Father Simones was a special,holy soul in the Orthodox faith. Living the life as set out in scripture. He is now with our Christ and he will be forever in our hearts.
LARISA GROMYKO
April 16, 2023
Fr. Simones married my husband and me in 1967. My husband and i met him sporadically at the BJ's in New London/Waterford one day. He had blessed oil with him, and he anointed us. Every year I received a XMAS card from him and Presb. Joan. He showed up at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, Orange, CT on July 14, 2016 at the funeral service for my husband, Don. He also officiated at the burial of my brother, Serge, in 1999. He gave Don and me one of the books he was affiliated with. I love him dearly and will pray for his safe passage to our Lord every night. He was one of a kind. Love, LARISA FELICIANO GROMYKO
Toni Tyropolis
April 16, 2023
Simones Family,
My family and I are deeply saddened by your loss. Father was a lovely spiritual man whose unwavering faith was an inspiration to all that knew him. I have many fond memories such as getting anointed with his special oil and a prayer just when running into him. His faith, kindness, and guidance were truly a part of his life
every day, truly a man of God. His extraordinary faith was extended to us when we lost our beloved husband and father Scot. He came to our house in the middle of the night expecting my call and afterwards too in our grief. He was a beautiful soul. May his memory as a loving, Husband, Dad, Papou, and as a well-loved member of the community be a comfort to you all.
Toni, Zach, and Jayse Tyropolis
Tom Flanagan
April 16, 2023
My condolences to the Simones family. RIP Father Charles.
Karen Foley
April 16, 2023
Dear Mrs. Simones,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family have my deepest sympathy.
Karen Ruddy Foley
Savas Synodi
April 16, 2023
I can only begin to imagine the celestial greetings he is receiving in Heaven from Jesus , all the Saints he spoke about and shared with us and all those he has guided, baptized , married and buried throughout his journey with us. We were all so very blessed to have him as our Priest for so many years that no words could do justice to his legacy with St. Sophia. I pray he continues to watch over us and look forward to the day we meet again. My deepest sympathy and prayers goes out to all the Simone´s family. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
Margaret Bussa
April 15, 2023
I always spoke with Fr Charles when he would visit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church here in Lewiston ME and looked forward to hearing a word from him. He was always kind to me and he even came out to the Ferry Dock in CT once, that was to take me to Long Island NY when I went to stay at the monastery there. (To give me a blessing) May his memory be eternal!
Ted and Olga Constantine
April 15, 2023
Father Charles has always held a big spot in me and my wife´s hearts He baptized and married both my children. I will never forget his beautiful services and
his love of Jesus Christ. May God bless and console Presbytera and all the Simones family. May you rest in pease. Jesus Christ is waiting for you with open arms.
Aristedes & Evdokia Manthous
April 15, 2023
A sad testament for the passing of a pious man. He served his community, and our family with distinction. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his extended family. May his memory be eternal,
Kostas panagiota anastasiou & family
April 15, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Christine Synodi & Gordon Videll
April 14, 2023
Dear Simones Family,
We are so very sad to hear of Father's passing, but heartened to know that he is receiving his due rewards in heaven. We will always be so grateful for his prayer and guidance during our daughter's illness, coming to Yale to pray for her and anoint her. As she grew, he would always go out of his way to give her a blessing whenever he saw her. His spirituality was a gift that he shared so generously with others. He was loved and will be missed by many families, including our own. May his memory be eternal and may he be received by the Lord with all the glory of heaven.
Pete Pantelis
April 14, 2023
Father Charles was an icon and a true man of faith in God. And such a spiritual inspiration to myself and to everyone who was blessed to be in his presence....I have so many great memories of him over the years starting with being an Altar Boy, assistant organist, St Sophia choir, and even after his retirement....he is in Heaven now with God and the Angels....he will be missed....
Alex Papathanasiou
April 14, 2023
Presbytera Joanne, Greg & Tom. What we have lost, our Lord and savior has gained 10 fold! Fr. Charles is in the arms of Jesus Chris, who he devoted his life to. Truly a man of God, his calling was meant to be. A priests priest. I believe the love, compassion and grace that he instilled in me and all of us has made us better humans. As former altar boys, as was my son Andrew, we knew him and loved him somewhat differently. I will miss him. Andrew, Sophia and I extend our deepest sympathy, love and fervent prayers for his beautiful soul. + May his memory be eternal +
Aaron Rosenberg
April 14, 2023
I am grateful to have been a colleague and friend of Father Charles Simones. I have fond memories of several lunches we shared together at Pizzarama. He was a man of deep convictions and he had a good heart. He touched many lives and will be missed. Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg
Pam Bartolotta
April 14, 2023
So very sorry to The Simones Family. Father married my husband and I and baptized my oldest son Andrew. Great memories of his beautiful services during my childhood years. He was a kind man and will be missed by so many!!! Rest in peace.
Antonia Spirounias
April 14, 2023
May his memory be eternal. Joan and family, I am so very sorry to hear of the falling asleep of Fr Charles! May God give you and your family strength at this very difficult time. Prayers and hugs
Ann Buonocore
April 13, 2023
To the family of Fr. Charles Simones. My deepest sympathies are extended atbthis time. May His Memory Be Eternal.
Fr. Edward Kakaty
April 13, 2023
Fr Simones was a devoted Greek Orthodox priest and a loving Husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, including the people of St Ann Melkite parish, where I served as pastor for 15 years! We offer condolences to his family and to all who knew him and prayers for his immortal soul. I will miss his kindness. If I weren’t retired in Florida, I’d be there!
George Grossomanides
April 13, 2023
Father Charles was a faithful servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He ministered to a grateful Orthodox Christian community. Condolences to his loving family. May his Memory be Eternal.
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