Livio D. '(Desi)' De Simone

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De Simone, Livio D. (Desi) age 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at his home in Naples, FL in the company of his family. Desi is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lise DeSimone, his three sisters, four children, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Born in Montreal, Canada to immigrant parents Giuseppe and Maria De Simone, Desi attended college at McGill University where he met his wife Lise. He earned a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill and starred as a middle linebacker on the football team. Upon graduation in 1957 he was drafted by the franchise in Edmonton and subsequently traded to the London Lords. This fortuitous trade allowed him to begin his career with 3M as a process engineer in London, Ontario and play football after work so he could afford a mortgage on a new home with his wife. In 1961, Desi was transferred to 3M's headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first of many of his management positions in the company. Desi's career took him overseas to Australia and Brazil before returning to the headquarters in 1975. He became the CEO of 3M in 1991, and retired in 2001. After retirement, Desi became a prolific painter and one of his paintings would often become a Christmas card. He had a passion for cooking and would recreate recipes from his travels, often tinkering and improving upon them. Desi's remains will be cremated; there are no plans currently for a service in his honor. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to charity. Some of Desi's favorites were Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Published on January 22, 2017