Joseph J. Simons, Jr., 84, a former resident of Stites Street, West Wyoming and most recently a guest at Little Flower Manor, Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, February 12, 2014, at Commonwealth Hospice, Inpatient Unit at Saint Luke’s Villa, Wilkes-Barre.

His beloved wife was the late Monica H. (Kulina) Simons, who passed away on May 25, 2011. Together, Joseph and Monica shared 58 wonderful years of marriage.

Born on June 29, 1929, in Luzerne, Joseph was the son of the late Joseph J. Simons, Sr. and Katherine (Tecoske) Simons.

Joseph was a graduate of the former Luzerne High School, Class of 1948, starring in basketball, and was also a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Class of 1949.

A United States Army Veteran, Joseph honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1954 and was stationed in Germany during most of his enlisted time. Upon his honorable discharge, Joseph attained the rank of Sergeant.

Upon returning home from the military, Joseph enrolled at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, where he majored in Accounting.

For many years, Joseph was employed as the Controller for Nationwide Tire, formerly of Wilkes-Barre. Later, he went on to become a award winning Licensed Insurance Agent for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, retiring after 20 years from their former location in Laflin. He received the John Hancock Marketing Representative of the Month Award and the Certificate of Production Achievement from John Hancock Life Insurance. He was a member of the John Hancock Financial Services Century Club and John Hancock Financial Services Honor Club.

A devout and faithful Catholic, Joseph was a longtime member of Saint Monica’s Parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, West Wyoming.

Joseph had a passion for sports, nature and the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and dog lover. He was also a great fan of Notre Dame Football. In his earlier years, he was proud to serve as his sons' Little League coach for the Wyoming/West Wyoming Little League.

Family was the greatest joy in Joseph’s life and he treasured every moment he had with his loved ones. He leaves behind a legacy of being a kind, caring and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

In addition to his parents, Joseph and Katherine Simons, and his wife, Monica, Joseph was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Stanislow.

Joseph is survived by his children, JoAnn Brady and her husband, Dr. John P. Brady III, of Dallas; Paul Simons and his wife Carol, of Mountaintop; and Dr. Joseph J. Simons III and his wife Godoleva, of Kingston; his grandchildren, John Paul IV, Jason, Joseph Patrick and Jared Brady; Joseph John IV, Julien and Nikko Simons; his brother, John J. Simons and his wife, Mary Ann, of Lake Park, Florida; his many nieces and nephews.

The Family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Little Flower Manor; the nurses and staff at Erwine Hospice, especially, Eli Troup; and Dr. John Kish and his staff for the compassionate care they bestowed upon Joseph during his time of need.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at 11:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 12:00 PM in Saint Monica’s Parish, 363 West 8th Street, West Wyoming, with the Reverend Leo J. McKernan, his Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Saturday morning, February 15, 2014, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Simons Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home web-site www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Joseph’s memory to either the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Attn: Justin McArthur, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21287.