SAMUEL SIMONIAN - JULY 24, 1923 - MARCH 11, 2017
DECORATED WORLD WAR II VETERAN

Samuel "Sam" Simonian a hero to this country and his family passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Buena Vida Estates in Melbourne, Florida surrounded by his family, friends and caregivers. He had made his home at Buena Vida since 2012.

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, he served his country with distinction in the Army Air Corps from April 1943 to October 1945. As a member of the 369th Bomb Squadron - 306 Bomb Group, Staff Sergeant Simonian was a ball turret gunner on a B-17. While on their 31st and final mission, their plane was shot down over Germany and he was taken captive as a prisoner of war for eight months. He was later awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Air Medal.

After his service, Mr. Simonian was employed as a plumber at the former Fort Devens military base in Ayer, MA. Upon his retirement Sam and his wife Rita moved from Leominster, MA to Palm Bay, FL in 1979, and set their sights on a busy retirement. The two were inseparable and were dedicated to the betterment of the Palm Bay community. Sam would say "She was the best thing that ever happened to me in the world." In his leisure time he enjoyed playing golf, bingo, yard sales, playing cards or Scrabble, completing complex jigsaw puzzles and spending time with his many friends and family.

He leaves behind his daughters Maureen E. Gorman of Lancaster, MA and Michelle M. Ross of Pawtucket, RI, grandchildren Corinne L. Gorman of Leominster, MA, Sean P. Gorman of Ashburnham, MA, Justin M. Ross of Cranston, RI, Christopher B. Ross of East Providence, RI and Shant R. Ross of North Providence, RI, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Yeghazar and Noonia (Kerkorian) Simonian, his wife Mary Rita Simonian and his sisters Pannonia Apkarian, Oghda O'Gulian, Eva Haroyan and Bizer Simonian.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to the staff of Hospice of St. Francis, Melbourne, FL for their care and compassion while he was in their care and to the staff of Buena Vida Estates especially JoAnn Mazziotta and Elizabeth "Chickie" Mohr for the wonderful care he has received as well as Ernesto & Marisol Luna of Vero Beach, FL and especially his long-time friend Alice Passmore, of Palm Bay, FL.

A private service will be held at the family's request with an Interment to be followed with full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of St. Francis, 4875 N. Wickham Road, Suite 104, Melbourne, FL 32940