Joe Simili passed away peacefully on October 19th in his Cloverdale home with his loving wife Shirley at his side after a long and very courageous battle with cancer.
Joe was born in Methuen Massachusetts to parents Louie and Ruth in 1946. Before joining the Military, Joe enjoyed employment as a caddy at the Merrimack Valley Golf Club in Methuen. Joe joined the Navy at the age of 17 where he served 4 active years as a Damage Control-Man II on the DC 1046 Destroyer Escort. On two separate occasions, The Escort was damaged by heavy artillery while stationed in the Vietnam Gulf.
At the age of 19 Joe befriended a shipmate who grew up in Cloverdale and introduced him to the city while on a 72-hour leave. During this visit, Joe met 15 year old Shirley Hamrick and fell hard for her. Three months later, while on another 72-hour leave, Joe asked Shirley to marry him and two days after that, they were married in Redwood Valley. Joe and Shirley enjoyed an incredibly strong, dedicated, and loving marriage for the next 52 years.
After serving two more years in active Naval duty following their wedding, Joe and Shirley moved to Cloverdale where he worked a few odd jobs before landing employment with the City of Cloverdale Public Works Department. Quickly earning the title of Foreman, Joe worked in the Public Works Department for the next 31 years. Joe was highly respected and loved within the department because, despite his Foreman title, he was always willing to roll up his sleeves, jump in the fray and get dirty right along side his team. Joe especially loved his time working with Mike Falleri and Craig Johnson.
Four years after getting married, Joe and Shirley welcomed their first child, Kelly, to the world. Two years later, Joe Jr. was born.
Joe was passionate about the outdoors; loving to boat, raft, camp, and fish. He also loved playing pinochle, riding his Harley and watching his grandchildren play organized sports.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents Louie and Ruth, brother Louie and sister Theresa. He is survived by Shirley, their children Kelly and Joe Jr. and their spouses Jason and Karen. Nephew Jeffery, nieces Kathy, Elizabeth Gladys, and Penny grandchildren Brady, Sabrina, and Nathan and numerous friends and family members.
The details of a celebration of life will be announced soon.
