Submitted by: Dan Rich

Francis E. DeSimone

March 17, 1926 - April 11, 2004

South Bend Tribune 4/14/2004

Frank DeSimone of South Bend, Ind., born in Brooklyn, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 11, in Hospice House in South Bend, Ind., following a courageous struggle with cancer.

Frank came to South Bend from Maywood, N.J. in 1975 as an Engineer for the aerospace division of Bendix.

Frank met and married Lillian Beatrice Leonard on May 31, 1980.

Frank was a veteran of World War II proudly serving in the South Pacific in Okinawa, Japan, with the United States Army. Frank was a member and officer of the VFW in Maywood, serving as past Post Commander.

His parents, Frank and Jean (DiMarco) DeSimone, preceded Frank in death.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian (Bea) DeSimone; a brother, George (Laura) DeSimone of Wellington, Fla.; a sister, Lucille Fuchsman of Carrolton, Texas; a son, Kim (Patricia) DeSimone of Ridgefield Park, N.J.; a daughter, Corrine (David) Chiusano of Maywood; a stepson, Robert J. (Jessica) Leonard of South Bend; two stepdaughters, Belinda (Mike) Morris and Sally Leonard, both of South Bend; four grandchildren, Dawn Steele, Shaun (Davyta) DeSimone, Amanda Morris, Morgan Chiusano; and by two great-grandchildren, Sian DeSimone and Mackenzie Steel.

A memorial service will be officiated by Rev. Hosea Drake, pastor of Grace Methodist Church, South Bend, on Saturday, April 17, at 11 a.m. An additional memorial service will be held in New Jersey where Frank's final resting place will be in the waters of his childhood playground of Coney Island, N.Y.

Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Hospice of St. Joseph County and the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are being handled by the McGann Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road, South Bend.