Antonio " Tony" Peter Simas, Jr.

In Loving Memory of Antonio “Tony” Peter Simas Jr.
August 28, 1945 – August 7, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Antonio "Tony" Peter Simas Jr., aged 79, of Warwick, Rhode Island. After a courageous and prolonged battle with cancer, Tony passed peacefully at home on August 7, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and friends. His strength, humor, and resilience throughout his journey will remain a lasting inspiration to all who knew him.

Known affectionately to those closest to him as “Duke,” Tony was born on August 28, 1945, in Providence, RI, to the late Leona (White) Simas and Antonio P. Simas Sr.

Tony was a vibrant soul—quick with a joke, never shy with an opinion, and always the kind of person who could fill a room with his presence. A Boston sports fan with the notable exception of his questionable love for the New York Yankees, he was often at the center of good-natured debates that brought laughter as much as rivalry.

For more than a decade, Tony made his love of nightlife into a career as a bartender at Shanana’s, where patrons knew him for his quick wit, infectious laugh, and his self-proclaimed (and frequently demonstrated) great dance moves and singing voice. Whether belting out a Motown classic or playfully serenading a friend, Tony’s love for music was as big as his heart. Eventually, he traded late nights for a new chapter at Dave’s Marketplace, where he worked until his retirement in 2023. His dedication, humor, and genuine pride in his work made him a favorite among both customers and colleagues.

Tony was predeceased by his beloved eldest daughter, Kelly Vieira; his brothers Kenneth A. Simas, William V. Simas, and Joseph C. Simas; and his sisters Margaret E. Mackie and Doris A. Reis.

He leaves behind a family who adored him: his devoted son Michael Simas and loving daughter-in-law Lisa; his daughter Billie-Jean Simas and son-in-law David Carey; and his daughter Jodi Simas. He was a proud grandfather to Brianna, Hannah, Cameron, Dominic, Kelsey, and Benjamin, and a cherished great-grandfather to Skylah and Nicholas.

To honor Tony’s wishes, traditional funeral services will not be held. Instead, his family invites you to celebrate his life in your own personal way: raise a glass while listening to Another One Bites the Dust, share a favorite story, tell a joke, and smile—just as Tony would have wanted.

He touched many lives with his kindness, humor, and spirit. Tony will be deeply missed and forever remembered

Arrangements by the URQUHART - MURPHY FUNERAL HOME.

www.murphyfuneralhomes.org.

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