Generoso De Simone
September 7, 1929 - November 22, 2022
Obituary
Generoso De Simone passed away in his home on November 22, 2022, surrounded by his family and blessed by the love of six children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
He was born the first of ten children on September 7, 1929, in Mirabella Eclano, Avellino, Italy to Carlo and Iolanda.
He later recalled that life in the countryside was tranquil and cheerful. Working in the fields alongside his father and brothers was sometimes difficult, but he felt it was beautiful to be in contact with nature. He enjoyed fishing, gathering with friends and family, and playing the accordion, an instrument he learned from his father.
Having worked on the family farm until he was 18 years old, he enlisted in the Carabinieri, the Italian state-level law enforcement agency. Among other deployments, he served a guard assignment at the summer residence of the Pope in the summer of 1950. He also served assignments in Sicily, Naples, and Florence. He later entered the service of the Roman Municipal Police.
During this time, he became engaged to his lifelong love Palmira Colarusso. They married on July 12, 1959, in a ceremony alongside his brother, Pierino, and his bride (Palmira’s sister), Antonina.
While in Rome, Generoso and Palmira welcomed four children: Carlo, Yolanda, Maria, and Giovanni. He fondly remembered purchasing his first apartment as well as his first automobile which he used to drive the family back to the countryside to visit.
Generoso and family moved to the United States in December of 1968 settling in Boston. They shared a large home with his brother Enrico and family. He worked in construction, helping to build in downtown Boston and Salem. Later he trained in television repair as he continued to learn the English language. In 1969, they welcomed twin girls, Franca and Rosamaria. Many of the siblings of Generoso and Palmira also relocated to Boston, bringing the joys and support of family.
In 1976, Generoso and family relocated to Seattle where he began working as a machinist for the Golden Grain pasta company until he retired in 1992. He then enjoyed spending his hours tending to his garden, playing scopa, making his own red wine, and playing with his grandchildren. Generoso never lost the love of the accordion, and would always bring it out and play when prompted by his (persistent) grandchildren.
In 2014, Generoso and Palmira moved to Phoenix, Arizona. A year later, in March of 2015, Palmira passed away. This was, in his words, painful in his heart in a way that never truly heals, but we hold joy that they can again be reunited with each other and with God.
He is survived by his sons, Carlo (Susy) and Giovanni (Cindy) ; his daughters, Yolanda (Larry), Maria (Fred), Franca (Steve) and Rosamaria (Todd); his granddaughters Stephanie, Sarah, and Giorgiana; his grandsons, Anthony, Robert, A.J., Giancarlo, Dominick, Maxim, James, Daniel, and Ryan; and his great-grandchildren, Caden, Olivia, Timothy, and Nicolò.
He wrote in his final years:
The thought of all my children and grandchildren on the good road makes me proud. This I consider the greatest gift one can receive in life. For this I am thankful to you all. I love you all so much.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital – https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now
The funeral mass will be available to view via a live stream at the following link – https://holyspiritkent.org/
We will miss our Zio but there is much peace knowing he is surrounded by family and that he is loved by so many!! Zio give my dad a kiss for me!
My dad was a role model for his family. Putting family first and doing his part in guiding us in the right direction was a reflection of who he was. He loved my mother dearly and theirs was a true love story that only grew stronger through the difficulties of life. When she left us, his heart was shattered, and he longed to see her again. In his quiet gentle way, he showed us how much he missed her. I was blessed to have parents whose hearts were filled with love for their children and grandchildren, and although my mom missed knowing the great-grandchildren here, I’m sure she delighted in seeing my dad filled with joy by Caden, Olivia, Timothy and Nicolo. Papa, we love you and mamma so much. Please give her all our love and pray for us as we wait to be reunited in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Generoso has Departed From this World but not from our Hearts and Minds .he has gone to join all his loved once that have Departed before him and someday we will join with him again. He was a very smart man always focused on what he was doing or going to do. He was not a louder talker but when he talked everybody heard in well. To me he should have been a poet. Good worker family man generous always helping anybody and everybody stayed tuned with what was going on around here and Italy .A good gardener he grew vegetables in the desert of Arizona where nobody thought that they would grow. I am going to Treasure the time that I did spend with him I wish it could have been more . I’m going to miss you a lot Generoso. God bless you as you are with him now I am sure you are going to impress him as well
It was sad to hear of the passing of the Patriarch of the De Simone family. I didn’t know him personally but I did attend elementary school with his twin daughters when they came to Seattle. I could always sense they were good people from a loving home. He has traveled home to be reunited with his beloved wife and will always be nearby and in your hearts. May the Lord God bless and strengthen the whole family during this time in your lives.
Franca, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Father. Cherish the memories always and know he is at peace with your Mama. Hugs, love and prayers.
Steve and Lori Hocker
What a beautiful tribute. ❤️ I’m sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Ciao zio Generoso, riposa in pace! Per sempre nel mio cuore! 💖
Ciao caro zio Giusinp <3 riposa in pace insieme a zia Palmira Non dimenticherò mai i primi 6 anni della mia vita quando avevo la gioia di vederti ogni giorno e passare continuamente dalla nostra casa alla vostra , insieme ai miei cari cugini Carlo Iolina Mariella e Giannino e a mia sorella Sandrina; non dimenticherò mai l' affetto profondo che ci ha legato per il resto della vita, nonostante l'oceano tra di noi Ci mancherai immensamente ma sarai sempre nel mio cuore Grazie per il regalo bellissimo che hai fatto al mio papà con la. tua presenza al suo 90° compleanno, Tuo fratello Antonio non avrebbe potuto desiderare di più