Alfred S. DeSimone, 90, of Kenosha, passed away Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009, at Brookside Care Center surrounded by his loving family. Born May 7, 1918, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Joseph and Maria (Cavaretta) DeSimone. He was a lifelong resident of Kenosha, and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. He attended Carthage College, received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later a Masters Degree from Northwestern University in Illinois. On June 20, 1942, he married Bernice Nelson at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kenosha. Since 1948, he worked for AXA-Equitable Advisors. In 1998, he was awarded Equitable’s National Honor Agent Award which is given in recognition of production performance and civic and charitable activities in the community, chosen from a field force of over 8,000. A 50 year member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, he was also past president of the Holy Rosary Holy Name Society, founder and 1st president of the Rotary Club of Kenosha West, Rotary District 0627 District Governor, in 2005 he was honored by the Rotary Club of Kenosha West on their 100th anniversary, a Regent at the University of Wisconsin for 7 years, and he also served as Chairman of the Board at the old St. Catherine’s Hospital. He was a Charter Life Underwriter (CLU), receiving his Professional Designation in 1960, was proud to have been an organizer of Kenosha Night at the Brewer’s, was charter president of the newly founded University of Wisconsin-Parkside Foundation whose first project was a $5.4 million housing project on campus, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Italian Program, was national president of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association at Madison, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Foundation. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Bernice of Kenosha; a son, David (Carol) DeSimone of Milwaukee, WI; three granddaughters, Dr. June (Dr. Martin Balish) DeSimone of Portland, OR, Susan (Kirk) Parker of Scottsdale, AZ, and Amy DeSimone of San Francisco, CA; five great-grandchildren, Angela, Lucy and Josie Balish, and Nicholas and Matthew Parker; a sister, Vera Cooper of Northbrook, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by a son, Larry DeSimone; three brothers, Albert, Sam and William DeSimone; and two sisters, Florence Palmer and Eva Luebke. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 7th, from Proko Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. Mass to be celebrated at Our Lady of The Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Friday at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Alfred’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Michael and Sara Birndorf
February 8, 2009
Dear Bernice and Family,It was a wonderful pleasure getting to know Al. Our only wish would be that we would have had the chance to meet him earlier. Our condolences. Michael and Sara Birndorf
Maria Veronico Ventura
February 7, 2009
Bernice and David and family,My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. I have fond memories of Al through his work at St. Catherine's hospital. He was a wonderful part of my work there. Thank you Bernice for sharing him with all of us.I am out of town and unable to be there and I am so sorry.Maria Veronico Ventura
Diane Donnelly
February 6, 2009
Bernice, David and Family,I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing and working with Al through St. Catherine's Hospital and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. His contributions to our community are immeasurable, and I will miss his smile and warmth. My heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and sympathy are with you.Diane Donnelly
Frederick R \Rick\" Luedke"
February 6, 2009
Dear Bernie, Dave and Carol and families---Al inspired many a Rotary member to become a true Rotarian...serving, sharing, visioning. The Rotary world has benefited much by his dedicated efforts to make things better than he found them.Truly, a good man is now in Heaven. We may rejoice for having known Al DeSimone.Katy joins me in extending our sympathy at this time.Most sincerely,Katy and Rick Luedke
Joyce Sorensen
February 5, 2009
Bernice, David and family; It was always a pleasure to be around Al while at St. Catherine's Hospital, working at the black tie events, or at Holy Rosary Parish. Just know that we're thinking of you at this time and wishing you comfort and peace. Extending my sincere sympathy, Joyce Sorensen
Susan Wolfgram, Receptionist AXA Equitable
February 5, 2009
Dear Bernice, David and family: My deepest sympathy to you and the family. I enjoyed working with Al and we talked many many times when he would call the office. He always remembered the Equitable trip to Mexico in 1973. It was a lot of fun. He will be missed. May God Bless You and Keep You in His Care.
Karl Hertz, PDG 96-97
February 5, 2009
Dear Bernice and family:Carol and I wish to extend our sincere sympathy at the time of Al's passing. His service to Rotary was very special.We are sorry that cataract surgery to Carol keeps us from being with you. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tomorrow a candle will be lighted at our Lumen Christi Church in Al's memory. God bless.Karl
Michael A. De Fazio
February 4, 2009
Dear Bernice, David and family,My deepest sympathy goes out to you and the family. I know our families were very close and his death is felt close to all of our hearts. Al, was a great man, a great humanitarian. There is not enough that can be said about him. He touched so many peoples life in so many different ways. And you Bernice have always been along side of him, and doing your thing, much like my mom. I'm sure that is in part what brought the families so close together. Terri and my prayers will be with you. Sincerely,Mike& Terri De Fazio
shelrie wilson
February 4, 2009
i had such a pleasure taking care of Alfred. he was a pleasure to talk with and a feisty young man. he will be remembered as one of my favorite residents that i have taken care of. it is never easy to watch people take their heavenly flight but i had the wonderful pleasure of meeting his family and learning about all the wonderful things he had accomplished. i can only hope that i touched his life as much as he touched mine. Alfred and his family will be in my heart forever. I feel so honored to have taken care of a man who had such regard for bettering people of all even into his last days telling me to make sure that my son gets a good scholarship i loved Alfred and i loved taking care of him. love shelrie wilson 2nd shift 300 hall nursing assistant.