John Phillip Semplice

John Phillip Semplice

October 24, 1935-November 10, 2024

89, of Ross Township, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully Sunday November 10, 2024 at the VA Hospital, Aspinwall, PA.  Beloved husband of 65 years to Sandra, loving and dedicated father to Jeffrey Semplice, Christina Semplice and Julie (Jim) Surman and loving grandfather to Alex and Kiera Surman. He was preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Lena Semplice, and siblings Monica M. Egan, Rosario J. “Ross” Semplice and Carol Cooley and survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.  John was often known by different nicknames “Snooky”, “John P” and “Johnny” and “Johnny Boy”.  He was a skilled softball player, a baseball and softball coach for all of his children, and a softball umpire spanning 30 years.   He was gifted in music, enjoyed playing the accordion, singing and recorded a song “The Sand and the Sea” and often was the entertainment at senior citizens and other gatherings.  He also once played drums in a band for a wedding at a moment’s notice. He loved all competitive sports, especially college and pro football and looked forward to watching the games even in his final days.  Likely this love of sports stemmed from his days as a child playing “mumblety-peg” on the streets of Pittsburgh near Mercy Hospital. From humble beginnings, he became a devoted and hard working family man often working two jobs to become a ready provider for his family who he adored.  He has always been known to contend for the title “Life of the Party” and often achieved it, and managed to find friends wherever he would go. During his final days, many of his medical caretakers expressed that they loved him and loved having him as their patient due to his spunkiness and sense of humor, and he will be sorely missed by all and never be forgotten!

Family and friends are invited to attend a Committal Service at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies promptly at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday November 21, 2024 at the following address:

National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

Main Entrance #1

1158 Morgan Road

Bridgeville, PA 15017 

(724) 746-4363 

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