Matthew Simonoff

Matthew I. Simonoff of Erie, age 68, died at home Tuesday, August 2, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Erie October 23, 1947, the son of Cynthia Bentley Simonoff Ishman and the late Matthew Simonoff.
Matt was a 1965 graduate of Ft. LeBoeuf High School where he excelled as a baseball player, earning an invitation to the Detroit Tigers minor league farm system.  Instead, Matt enlisted in the U. S. Navy, trained as a corpsman, was attached to a unit of the U.S. Marine Corps and served on the battlefield in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Following his discharge from the Navy, his wartime experience gained him admission to the Physician Assistant Program at the Penn State Hershey Medical School, from which he graduated. He later specialized as an Opthalmic Technician, enjoying wonderful professional relationships with Dr. Barry Stamm and, most recently, Dr. Gary Brotherson. Matt loved to play golf, boat, fish, and bowl and was a member of the bowlers 800 club. He was also an avid football fan, sweating out every season of his beloved Cleveland Browns. His great sense of humor and wit were a source of joy and laughter for his many friends and family.  Matt was an exceptional cook who loved to share his culinary gifts with guests at “Patty’s Test Kitchen” in his home. Some of the best expressions of his culinary art included his falling-apart baby back ribs, delicious mustard mussels, and his famous secret-recipe bread pudding at Christmastime.
Besides his father, a sister, Sandra Kay Simonoff, preceded him in death.
Matt is survived by his mother Cynthia Simonoff Ishman of Waterford; his beloved wife, Patricia McNamara Simonoff; and his two sons; Shawn Simonoff and his wife Amy of Erie and Christopher Simonoff and his wife Cara of Ft. Wayne, IN. He is the grandfather of Isabella and Clementine Simonoff and the stepfather of K.C. Agnew. Matt is further survived by a half- brother, Galen Ishman (Razel) and half sisters, Debra Hahn (Ron) and Diane Bernatowicz (Richard). Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
Matt’s family extends its special and heartfelt thanks Dr. Brotherson and Dr. Stamm, and their respective staffs, for their extraordinary generosity and remarkable continuing support during Matt’s illness.  
Special thanks also to Dr. Jan Rothman and the staff of The Regional Cancer Center. In keeping with Matt’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 130 E.4th St. Burial will be Private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Operation Comfort Warriors in care of The American Legion 5745 Lee Road., Indianapolis, IN 46216.
Arrangements by the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St.