PROSPECT — Joe Fernando Simoes, 60, of Prospect, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Saint Mary’s Hospital. He was the loving husband of Aida (Gomes) Simoes, who together shared nearly 31 years of marriage.
Joe came to the United States at 15. He worked in a bakery as his first job. This would give him a lifelong appreciation of baking, which brought us his lovely apple pie and cookies.
Eventually he settled into a more serious job at Olin doing metalwork. He took his job seriously and worked hard. Unfortunately, he had to leave due to epilepsy. Thus began the second stage of his life.
Unable to support his family the traditional way, he took care of the house. He tended to menial things like the lawn and the chimney. He repaired furniture, lawn mowers and cars. He even expanded upon the house, building two sheds and a roof for the porch.
In the latter years of his life he began using his skills to help those outside the house. He helped remove trees, build sheds, and repaired the neighbor’s house. He was always lively and happy to help others.
Left to cherish Joe’s life, love and legacy is his wife Aida; his two children, Jake Simoes of Prospect, and Stephanie Simoes of Norwalk; his three siblings in the United States, Maria Marques and her husband Joaquin of Prospect, Adelino Simoes and his wife Elizabeth, and Manuel Simoes, both of Waterbury.
He also leaves behind three siblings in Europe, as well as several nieces, nephews, and many good friends.
Funeral services for Joe were to begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Prospect Memorial/The Palmerie Family Funeral Home, 122 Waterbury Road, Prospect, with procession departing the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin St., Waterbury, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial was to follow in All Saints Cemetery, 203 Spring Lake Road, Waterbury.
You are invited to share your memories, photos and words of comfort for the Simoes family on Joe’s Tribute Wall at prospectmemorial.com.
