Ernest Raymond Simas, age 87, died at home on February 28, 2016 in Goodyear, AZ. He was born at home on Phenix Avenue in the town of West Warwick, RI on February 7, 1929 to parents Manuel W. and Mary G. (Costa) Simas. Ernest is preceded in death by his brothers Manuel Jr., Eugene, Robert and sister Gloria Simas Tardiff.
Ernest married Evelyn Marie Ray on April 24, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in West Warwick, RI. They were married 50 years until her death in 2004. Ernest is survived by his son Stephen E. Simas, daughter Catherine A (Simas) Brunette and son-in-law Michael J. Brunette of Litchfield Park, AZ. He has 6 grandchildren, Nicholas, Tyler, Michaela, Mary, Samuel, Danielle, 4 great-grandchildren, as well as several nephews and nieces.
Ernest was a devoted husband, father and a true philanthropist who helped many people during his lifetime. He was well loved and respected within the community. He was a communicant of St Anthony’s Catholic Church and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Community.
Ernest attended West Warwick Public Schools and graduated from West Warwick High School in June 1946. He attended Bryant College from 1948-1949 before entering the military. He served in the United States Navy from 1949-1953 where he was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC. He worked for the highest ranking authorities in the development of the “Nautilus,” our countries first nuclear powered submarine. After an honorable discharge he attended the University of Rhode Island 1953-1956, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business.
Ernest was employed in corporate sales for the Mogul Corporation. He was an independent tax return preparer from 1956-1996. He served as councilman for the town of West Warwick, RI as well as West Warwick tax assessor from 1981-1990. Ernest and his family owned and operated several businesses in Rhode Island culminating with Evelyn’s Villa Restaurant and Banquet Facility from 1985-2007. Ernest retired after the sale of the family’s restaurant business and moved to Litchfield Park, AZ in 2009.
A visitation will take place at the Iannotti Funeral Home, 415 Washington Street, Coventry, RI 02816 on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 8:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1 Sunset Ave, West Warwick, RI. Burial with military honors will follow at the Rhode Island Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI. There will also be a service in Arizona at the Groves at Goodyear Assisted Living Community, 2655 N Pebble Creek Pkwy, Goodyear, AZ 85395, 6:00 pm, Thursday, March 10, 2016.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to any of his favorite charities: Maryknoll Missionary Fathers, Smile Train or The American Lung Association.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6