Valerio J. Simonetti

1935 - 2024

Valerio James 'Dee' Simonetti, 89, of West Deer Township, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024. Val was born May 25, 1935, in West Deer Township, son of the late Dominick and Alice (Ruzzi) Simonetti. He was a graduate of West Deer High School where, along with his movie star good looks, was a renowned athlete as a pitcher with the West Deer American Legion where he was awarded the Outstanding Baseball Player for the years 1951-1953, Best Pitcher on staff, and was instrumental in winning state championships. He also played full back for the West Deer football team where he declined college football scholarships to instead join the US Army to help support his parents and younger siblings. First stationed at Ft. Dix, Val then served with the Armored division in Germany and enjoyed sharing stories of driving tanks along the Autobahn. Family legend is he returned home with a German vocabulary consisting of fraulein and biergarten. Following his military service, he married his high-school sweetheart, Marilyn Monica Mills, who he saw from afar at a nearby roller-rink, and to whom he was married for 65 years. Val was employed by PPG Industries until his retirement. Following his retirement, he and Marilyn traveled the US by car and told tales of their extended travels and speeding tickets through postcards to their children. A life-long resident of West Deer Township, Val was active in his community where he served as township supervisor; volunteered and helped establish Deer Lakes Youth Football; was an active member of the Italian Workers Aid Society Lodge #45 and, along with his brother, ran a local Friday night bingo fundraiser. He was an owner and operator of Simonetti Brothers Mushroom, a local mushroom grower known for their quality mushrooms. In addition to spending time with his family, Val loved Pitt football, the Pirates and Steelers, Copenhagen, and keeping up on current events for which he had strong opinions. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn (Mills); adoring daughter Sharron (Dan) Antonucci of Bradford Woods; brothers Donald and Dominick (Sandy); grandchildren Heather, Natalie, Ashleigh, Steven, David, and Lucas; great-granddaughter Kayleigh; daughters-in-law, Jennifer and Heather. He was met in Heaven by his sons Valeriano and James Simonetti; his parents; brothers, Anthony, Richard, Joseph, and Robert 'Gary' Simonetti; and many pets including his beloved Havanese Gracie. For those who knew him, please raise a glass and remember him well. Visitation was held privately in the trust and care of ADAM SIEMIANOWSKI FUNERAL HOME. Memorial gifts may be made to Deer Lakes Youth Football, a non-profit for local children to participate in football and cheerleading, to DLYF PO Box 209, Russellton, PA 15076 or Venmo@dlyf209. For online condolences, please visit www.westdeerfuneralhome.com