Submitted by: Dan Rich

Vincent J. Simeri

Nov. 12, 1914 - July 7, 1998

South Bend Tribune 7/8/1998

Vincent J. Simeri, 83, passed away at 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, in St. Joseph's Medical Center. He was born on Nov. 12, 1914, in Gioiosa Ionica, Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy.

He came to the United States in May 1930 with his family and settled in South Bend, Ind. He received his US citizenship on May 6, 1937.

On June 21, 1936, he was married to Natalina Linarello in St. Joseph's Church, South Bend, a marriage that lasted 62 years.

He was a veteran of World War II, having proudly served in the United States Navy as a coxswain(T) from 1943-1945 in the Pacific Theater.

He was employed at the Studebaker Corporation and was a supervisor at the Oliver Corporation for many years. Mr. Simeri was also the owner/operator of the former S & S Grocery Store on Hill Street, and later owned and operated Simeri's Cafe in South Bend from 1955 to 1976. He was also a retiree of the University of Notre Dame as a supervisor in Food Services. In 1967 he was a candidate for 4th District Councilman.

He was a member of Sacred Heart parish where he served as an usher for many years, VFW Post 1167 and American Legion Post 0050.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by three brothers, Dominic J. Simeri of South Bend, Louis Simeri of Elkhart, Ind., and Rocco Simeri of Italy.

He is survived by his wife, and by his four children: Joseph V. Simeri and Beverly (Simeri) Jennings of South Bend, Teresa (Simeri) Jermano of Mishawaka, Ind., and Jane Simeri of Solon, Ohio; and by five grandchildren, James, Elisabeth and Susanne Simeri, Stephen Gorczyca and Jennifer Lynn Jermano.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather whose family and friends always came first. He was an extremely generous and caring person whose presence will be sorely missed.

A funeral Mass will be said at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at The Basilica of Sacred Heart.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the McGann Funeral Home, 2313 Edison Road, South Bend. A Rosary will be said at 7 p.m.