A Washington state Army veteran, Michael De Simone, has captured national attention with his self-written obituary, a piece lauded for its humor and poignancy. De Simone, 51, died on August 21 from a cardiac event after a period of recovery from a stroke earlier in the year.
Published in the Centralia Chronicle, De Simone's obituary begins with a characteristic quip: "Michael De Simone regrettably informs you that he is no longer alive. This was not the plan." The father of two humorously noted a "disagreement between his mind and his body" as the reason for his early departure.
De Simone's friend, Mark Campanella, had initially announced his death on Facebook, stating that De Simone passed away surrounded by his wife and family. Campanella explained that De Simone had been recovering from a stroke earlier in the year and was later hospitalized with a serious infection. Despite showing signs of improvement, he suffered a cardiac event.
Campanella shared the link to the obituary, remarking that it was "so him" and that De Simone would have loved it. He recalled receiving a thank-you card from De Simone during his stroke recovery, which was titled "Not Dead, Yet."
A Life Well-Traveled
The obituary recounts De Simone's extensive travels, noting that he visited every continent except Antarctica, which he humorously excluded because of its cold. He found solace in knowing that he had experienced much of the world, stating that "Compared to a 12th-century nobleman, he basically saw the entire world."
Love for Family
De Simone dedicated a significant portion of his farewell to his family, describing his love for his wife, Daisy, of nearly 33 years, and his two daughters, Johanna and Dani, as "wider than creation." He fondly remembered their journey together, from high school sweethearts to "forever sweethearts." His grandsons, Leo, Crispan, and Trent, were a source of "bottomless joy."
A Final Message
Before concluding, De Simone left a poignant message for his loved ones: "In lieu of flowers, he asks that you give your love freely, especially to those you hold most dear, because you never know when you might have to leave in a hurry."
The obituary has touched thousands of readers, many of whom expressed admiration for De Simone's spirit and love for life, with comments praising it as "the best obituary ever" and a "greatest literary testament."