Christopher John Simonetti, 83, died Thursday, May 12, 2005 in Houston, Texas. A resident of Beaumont, Texas since 1946, he moved to Kingwood, Texas in 2003. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 24, 1921, he served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Chris worked at Bethlehem Steel for 39 years until his retirement as Chief Estimator. He volunteered for over 15 years at Some Other Place, and was a long time member at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. He helped build Assumption Roman Catholic Church in South Park and was a 4th degree Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus 951st Council.
Chris and his wife, Agnes, enjoyed traveling. He also enjoyed golfing with friends. His greatest thrill was in 1989 while on a visit in Rome. He was able to shake hands with Pope John Paul II. After returning home he shot a hole in one and told everybody it was because he had met and shaken hands with the Pope, his ‘buddy’.
Survivors include his wife, Agnes Carey Simonetti; two sons, John and wife Jeanne and Harold and wife Debbie; two daughters, Amanda and husband John; Charlotte; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 16, 2005 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening, May 15, 2005 with a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at the mortuary.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Some Other Place, 590 Center St., Beaumont, Texas 77701; Vitas Hospice, 4828 Loop Central Drive, Bldg 3 Suite 890, Houston, Texas 77081; St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys St., Beaumont, Texas 77706; American Heart Association, P. O. Box 7015, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or to Trinity United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 7410, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
