R. Donald Similo – Elizabeth Township
R. Donald Similo, 91, of Elizabeth Township, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023, in UPMC East Hospital, Monroeville. Born Sept. 20, 1931, in McKeesport, he was a son of the late Ferino “Pete” and Laura Maloney Similo. Don joins his wife, the late Arlene L. Castor Similo (1939-2005), to whom he was married for 44 years. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Don started his career at Elizabeth Forward High School, where he was a business teacher as well as a football coach and athletic director. He was employed by California University of Pennsylvania as a financial aid director and accounting professor. After his retirement from Cal, he continued his CPA private practice until 2021. Don was also civic minded and active, serving as an Elizabeth Township commissioner for 40 years. He was a parishioner of Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish – St. Michael’s Church, where he was a member of the ushers’ club, finance committee and Knights of Columbus. Don was also, as of the date of his passing, the oldest member and past president of the Youghiogheny Country Club. In his spare time, he participated in various golf leagues and was a fan of Penn State football and Pittsburgh sports teams. Don is survived by his daughters, Suzanne (John) Dale of North Wales, Pa., and Shari (Charles) Kronsberg of Glen Arm, Md.; his son, Richard D. Similo Jr. of McKeesport; his grandchildren, John (Allison), Steven (Katherine), Lauren and Jaclyn Dale, Sarah Kronsberg and Richard III and Charles Similo; his great-grandchildren, John “Jack” Dale and Adalynn Similo; and his longtime companion, Adeline Jones. He was close with his many Similo cousins, especially Bob and Carol. Friends will be received at DANIEL F. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 4504 Walnut St., Versailles Borough, McKeesport, PA 15132, 412-678-3454, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish, St. Michael’s Church with Father Thomas A. Wagner officiating. If attending the Mass, please go directly to the church. Procession and burial will follow at West Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to either the St. Michael’s Ushers’ Club, c/o Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish, 101 McLay Dr., Elizabeth, PA 15037 or to the Elizabeth Forward Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, c/o EFAA Treasurer, 801 N. Whitmore Road, North Huntingdon, PA 15642, www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
