Paul W. Simoneau

January 15, 2019

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, Paul W. Simoneau, beloved husband, father, grandfather and sibling passed away at his home in West Hartford, Connecticut. Paul lived a full life with amazing youth and stamina; a life we all hope to emulate. Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, to Arcade and Beatrice Simoneau, and as a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, he maintained a fondness for the state. After serving as a navigator in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War, he moved with his wife, Jeanine, to Connecticut, which has been their home for over 60 years. Paul made his career in Hartford as an Actuary specializing in property and casualty matters and after 30 years with Aetna retired in 1986. Paul’s life was founded in a strong belief and trust in the Catholic religion. This foundation gave him the ability to always be calm and approach everything with impressive reason and judgment. With his wife, he conveyed upon his children, grandchildren and those that had the pleasure of knowing Paul, a sense of purpose, commitment and gratitude. To his wife and children he was the “rock”, the person that could help with all life’s challenges: dependable, rationale and there for everyone. Married for over 63 wonderful years, he cherished his wife and never liked being away from her; truly “best friends” forever and inseparable. In addition to their time in West Hartford they spent many special moments at their summer home in West Dennis, Massachusetts. During those years they raised their children, Paul, John, Lynne and Janice, with great pride. Throughout Paul’s life he was known for his closeness to his family, for making family his priority, for his understated wit, for equally enjoying life’s big moments as much as life’s small moments. An extremely modest person, his wisdom and presence made a difference with those he touched. Paul always enjoyed time with his children and in addition to instilling in them outstanding morals and ethics, he taught them how to sail, play tennis, ski, and play chess. These activities and airplanes gave Paul great joy, whether as a participant or as an observer. A long-time and well-known member of the South Yarmouth Tennis Club, he was very competitive and enjoyed playing with family and friends, including a memorable family tennis event in 2018; he never stopped playing tennis. As a remarkable husband, father, Pépère, brother and friend, he will truly be missed. His wife will remember Paul as her best friend; his children will remember Paul as their leader and teacher; his grandchildren will remember Paul as full of spirit and fun; his sisters will remember Paul as their ‘go-to’ sibling; and his friends will forever be envious of Paul’s never-ending youth. Paul leaves his wife Jeanine; two sons, Paul and his wife Joanne and children Jennifer and Amy, and John and children Allison and Matthew; two daughters, Lynne and husband Scott and children Emma and Audrey, and Janice and husband Chip and son Lucas; and two sisters, Betty and Sue. In addition, there are many others who will miss Paul’s subtle approach to life. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial Monday, January 21 at 10 AM, at St. Peter Claver, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT. A military burial will be Tuesday, January 22 at 1:45 PM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Jane Simoneau Fund for Glioblastoma, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford, CT has care of arrangements.