John M. Simone, who started in the trucking industry as an apprentice diesel mechanic and rose through the ranks to eventually become the CEO of USA Truck, died March 24 having been diagnosed with lung cancer.
He joined USA Truck in 2013 and took a leave of absence in April of 2015. During his 30 years in the trucking industry, Mr. Simone had worked for Ryder Transportation Services, UPS, Greatwide Logistics and LinkAmerica.
A memorial service is planned for April 23 at the Oxley-Heard Funeral Home in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Here’s his obituary:
John M. SimoneMr. John Michael Simone, age 54, of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away on Thursday afternoon, March 24, 2016 at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Aug. 13, 1961, he was the eldest of three children born to Barbara Anne Amendola Simone and the late Vito Simone. He grew up in West Haven, CT where he attended Notre Dame High School before moving and graduating from Amity Regional Senior High School in Woodridge in 1979. After high school, he accepted an invitation to Apprentice as a Diesel Mechanic with International Trucking. His ability to set examples and lead others was recognized by his peers and quickly advanced him into management. During his over 30 years in the industry he served in various capacities for Ryder Transportation Services, UPS, Greatwide Logistics and LinkAmerica. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of USA Truck until his retirement in July 2015. He and Lisa have made Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida their home since August 2014.
Mr. Simone loved his cars, his boat, playing golf and living at his “Happy Place”, the Beach.
He leaves behind, his companion, Lisa Kearns, Fernandina Beach, his son, Anthony Simone, Austin, Texas, his mother, Barbara Simone, Orange, Connecticut, two sisters, Lisa DeBiase, Madison, Connecticut, Michele Dorey, Orange, Connecticut, a nephew, Alexander and two nieces, Cristina and Kayla.
Memorial services will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 23, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard Funeral Home with his neighbor, Chaplain Jim Tippins, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Baptist Medical Center Nassau.
