Regis Augustine Simasek, 82, of Orlando, FL, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on July 4th, 2023, surrounded by the love and kindness of his family and friends. He was born April 8, 1941, in Duquesne, PA, to the late Augustine Simasek and Margaret Seliga (who immigrated from Slovakia and Hungary respectively).
It was in Duquesne where Regis formed his unrelenting, signature work ethic influenced by growing up during WWII and by watching the perseverance of the Pittsburgh steel mill workers. He graduated from Duquesne High School where he lettered in basketball. In 1963, he earned a degree in Accounting from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, where he continued playing basketball as a team co-captain. He always mentioned he was born too early: if he had only had a three point line.
He then served as a Captain in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967 stationed for most of his service in South Korea. At the end of his service, he lived in Winter Park, FL, where he met and married Susan Kelly of Winter Park in 1967. They moved to Pittsburgh where he took a job with the national accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young). They returned to Winter Park where Regis continued at Ernst & Ernst and passed the CPA exam in 1971. In 1975, he formed a public accounting firm first with Al Amort later adding Larry Whitley, and then with his son, Regis Martin Simasek. He worked in this capacity for over 40 years: Amort & Simasek, P.A.; Amort, Simasek & Whitley, P.A.; Simasek & Whitley, P.A.; and finally R.A. Simasek, P.A.
He loved giving back to his community and served on multiple boards and gave his time and expertise to several not-for-profit organizations. He also loved teaching his employees; providing excellent advice and service to his clients; watching the Steelers, Pirates and other PA teams; shooting hoops with his children and grandchildren; reading about history, especially American history; taking walks; and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susan Elizabeth Kelly Simasek; his daughter, Karen Elizabeth Simasek (Edward Alexander Santos); his son, Regis Martin Simasek; his grandchildren: Charles Walker Simasek, Emmeline Kelly Santos, Regis Nathaniel Simasek, Owen Alexander Santos, Gretta Elizabeth Santos, Heath Augustine Santos, Nicholas Martin Simasek; his brother, Robert George Simasek (Gladys Simasek); his brother-in-law, Ray Stang; his in-law, Tamara Santos; his many beloved cousins; and his seven nieces and 1 nephew. He is predeceased by his sister, Marcella Jean (Simasek) Steimer and his brother-in-law, Paul C. Steimer; his sister-in-law, Stella Eileen Kelly (Stang); his father-in-law, Homer Walker Kelly and his mother-in-law, Carinel Usher Kelly.
A visitation and service will be held Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 1 pm to 4 pm at DeGusipe Funeral Home – Maitland Chapel, 9001 N Orlando AVE, Maitland, FL 32751.