Obituary of Joseph J. Shimo

Joseph J. Shimo of Stow, Ohio, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2015, transitioning to heaven at the age of 68.  He was born January 28, 1947, in Braddock, Pa.  Joe loved and valued his family more than anything else, especially and most his wife Monica, with whom together they lived, loved, and traveled thru life, happy and truly in unimaginably deep love, best friends. He was always proud to say he had a son and daughter, not kids, then he was fortunate to watch his grandchildren learn and grow.  His family was first.  He adored his grandchildren immensely, and was so happy to have helped and watched them grow up from newborns to school aged.  When his son and daughter were small, for 3 years he went to graduate school early evening classes to better his families situation.  Even though he worked in the day and went to school in the evening, he made sure to come home for family dinner every day.  Family dinner was very important to him, a time together, a time for his family to share the day.  Before he died, to see his eyes sparkle when his grandchildren came home from school was so marvelous.  He was a kind good man, honest, strong, true and giving to his friends, did his best, enjoyed life, worked hard, was a man’s man.  He wanted to live much longer. Joe always felt like he lived, glad for the adventures that the journey of life brought, and was happy and proud of his life and family.

Joe was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, receiving a Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry and then received a Master's of Business Administration from Kent State University, graduating summa cum laude.  He worked 7 years for Gulf Oil and then 25 years for Borden and Borden Chemical and Plastics (BCP) thru financial, tactical/strategic, and other positions in the end as Vice President, Major Chemical Purchasing and Business Development.  He was proud of working hard, but it wasn’t his life, his family and friends mattered most.  He had a strong Catholic faith.  Joe found great pleasure with woodworking and completing small or large household projects.  He loved using his tools to help his friends.  He truly enjoyed helping neighbors and friends with any projects using his extensive tools and other numerous machines related to fixing whatever needed to be fixed.  He was a devoted Granddad, who would fix anything his grandchildren would bring him.  They thought he could fix anything.  He loved to read, teach, and play with his grandchildren, they kept him young and happy. Joe had a passion and zest for life that was wonderful.  He felt his life full of wealth in ways that can’t be measure with money.  His Wife, son and daughter, grandchildren, family and friends, joy and love, that was his treasure.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rose Shimo and his sister, Rose Elliott, all of Pittsburgh, Pa.  He is survived by his wife, Monica Shimo; son, Joseph Shimo IX (Jr); daughter, Kimberly Barth; grandchildren, Connor and Kylie Barth; former son-in-law, Jonathan (Jody) Barth; and aunt, Ann Gurecka.  A memorial to celebrate his life will be held sometime in late May or June.  His wife Monica could not bear to have  a memorial for Joe, it was delayed many times, she had wanted to but 3 years later died and transitioned to be with him in Heaven. Therefore, their children are having memorial services for them both during the time of hers. Joe’s family welcomes the sharing of fond memories and photos you might like to post thru the condolences or photos sections.