Ernest Simoneaux, Jr.

Ernest M. Simoneaux, Jr. of Covington, Louisiana passed away May 4, 2022.  He lived a passionate and fun-filled life of eighty-one years.  He was blessed with a close family and loving parents, Claire (Reppel) and Ernest Simoneaux, Sr.

Ernie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 1, 1940.  He attended St. Joseph’s Seminary at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Covington, Louisiana during the early years of high school which had a profound lifelong impact.  Following graduation from Redemptorist High School, he attended Tulane University, University of Southwestern Louisiana and Louisiana State University.  As his studies at the Bachelor and Master’s levels were education-related, he dedicated his career to teaching and administration at the elementary, high school and university levels.

Ernie married Dolores Pesek and had three daughters, Mimi’, Christi, and Niki.  Years later, after having lived in Lafayette and Gonzales with his family, Ernie moved to Covington where he married and built a life with Merle Dooley.

During the last quarter of his years, Ernie developed new friendships, nurtured old friendships, enjoyed his adult children, attended Saints games with family, traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad, kept friends in the seminary connected, enjoyed live music, art and good food, joined his grandchildren at Mardi Gras, stayed involved in politics, pursued outdoor passions and talked to nearly everyone he encountered. Memories of his story-telling and humor will bring a smile to the face of anyone who knew him. Ernie shared his zest for life and optimism with everyone.  He was an educator, administrator, mathematician, scientist, explorer; a builder, a dreamer, an activist, a patriot, and a family man; a nature-lover, a gardener, a humorist, a lover of music and art, and a foodie.  He was both a passionate and a compassionate man, filled with joie de vivre. Above all, he was a man of God!

Ernie is survived by his wife Merle Dooley, his children Mimi’ Simoneaux Kneuer (John) of Southold, NY, Christi Simoneaux of Washington, DC, and Niki Simoneaux (Elliot de Lisser) of Boca Raton, FL, and by his grandchildren: Joseph, Christine, Claire, Rehma and Henry.  He is also survived by his stepchildren Michael Dooley (Cherie) of Denver, CO, Brian Dooley (Pam) of Highland, IN and Erin Wagner (David) of Social Circle, GA, as well as their children and grandchildren.  His siblings Cynthia Kimble of Bay St. Louis, MS, Carol Patterson of Metairie, LA and David Simoneaux (Chic) of Kenner, LA, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews survive him as well.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral arrangements and a Celebration of Life will follow this summer.