David A. Simms

David A. Simms, 44, of Swissvale, died unexpectedly Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, at home. He was born June 21, 1966, in Latrobe, and was the son of Paul and Peggy (Japalucci) Simms. He was employed as a systems engineer for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since 1998. Dave was a 1984 graduate of Derry Area High School where he participated in the band. Dave had a wide variety of interests and especially loved spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed astronomy, reading, computers and art and was an accomplished chef. Dave will always be remembered for his great personality, quick wit and generous, kind heart. David was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia "Trish" Schiefer; a nephew, Mark D. Fink; maternal grandparents, Pasquale and Mary Jane Japalucci; paternal grandparents, Jesse and Mary Simms; and several aunts and uncles. In addition to his parents, Dave is survived by a sister, Vonnie (Simms) Fink and her husband, Lloyd; a brother, Paul Simms and his wife, Mary (Lampe); a nephew, Michael Fink and his wife, Heather, and their children, Samantha and Andrew; a niece, Candace Simms; a stepniece, Tanya (Lampe) Morrison and her husband, Levi, and their son, Luke; and a stepnephew, Joseph Lampe and his fiance, Jenny Kearney. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and his faithful bulldog, Hank. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650, where a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday with Pastor Curt Detar officiating. Burial will be in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. Donations may be made to Word of Life Ministries, 4497 Route 136, Greensburg, PA 15601, or Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania, 2525 Railroad St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Instant obituary information and updates can be found at www.facebook.com/frederickfuneralhome and www.twitter.com/frederickfhinc. To send online condolences, visit www.frederickfuneralhome.com.