Fred Joseph Simonelli, Sr. 90, of Columbia, died peacefully Saturday, June 4, 2016. Born March 19, 1926 in Erie, PA, he was a son of the late Vincenzo and Rosa Iavarone Simonelli. Mr. Simonelli was a patriotic man who answered his country's call to duty serving in the US Navy during WWII and The Korean Conflict. Following his eight years of military service he went to work for American Sterilizer, retiring after 35 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a Fourth Degree Member of The Knights of Columbus. Following retirement Mr. Simonelli dedicated much of his time to volunteering at WBJ Dorn VA Medical Center, and building bird houses for Fort Jackson. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed being a Media Missionary for EWTN.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Theresa M. Kuhn Simonelli; his children, Fred Joseph Simonelli, Jr. (Jane), Valerie S. Hildenbrand (William), Robert V. Simonelli (Joanne), Michael C. Simonelli (Susan), Stephen A. Simonelli (Tracie); seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; siblings, Olga Filippi, Lucille Sitzler (Fritz), Gloria Metzgar (Clarence), and Jim Simonelli (Kathy). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Simonelli; sister-in-law, Theresa V. Simonelli; and a brother-in-law, Leno Filippi.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 o'clock, Tuesday, June 7th at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Msrg. Richard D. Harris, V.G. officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock, Monday evening with a Rosary recited at 7 o'clock, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205 or to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210.