Obituary of Felix Simora

Felix S. Simora M.D., Dip. Ac. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"- Timothy 4:7 Dr. Felix S. Simora, age 69, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving wife and adoring children on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 after a courageous fight with prostate cancer. He was born in Santa Barbara, Philippines, the oldest son of Juana Sumilhig and Gregorio Simora. He and his brother, Leocadio, were raised by their devoted grandmother, Rosario Sumilhig, after both their parents perished during World War II. Dr. Simora graduated with his medical degree from Cebu Institute of Medicine in the Philippines. He then completed his medical internship at St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania where he met his beloved wife, Judy. He went on to complete his residency in psychiatry with training at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manhattan/NYU and Bellevue Hospital of New York. He had additional psychiatric training at Creedmoor State Hospital in New York. He returned to the Erie community to practice psychiatry and raise his family by the lake he loved. Dr. Simora was dedicated to compassionately serving the psychiatric community for over 35 years. He held staff psychiatrist positions at St. Vincent Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, and Millcreek Community Hospital. He was an interim medical director of the geriatric psychiatric unit at Metro Health Center. He was well respected as medical director at Sarah Reed Children's Center and the Barber National Institute. One of his greatest rewards in life was working with children. Dr. Simora was a pioneer in Meridian Regulatory Acupuncture with over 30 years of experience in his private practice. He was nationally recognized for his expertise in this innovative field of acupuncture. He was a key presenter at meetings of the Meridian Regulatory Acupuncture World Congress. He earned the status of diplomate from the American Board of Acupuncture Medicine. A man of great intellect, he was able to provide a unique integrated medical approach to his patient's care. Despite his diagnosis of prostate cancer, he found great comfort in caring for his patients. He continued to care for others for as long as his illness allowed. Felix was a faithful husband and a devoted father. He loved spending time with his family, especially his time with his many grandchildren. He appreciated nature and enjoyed fishing, boating, and gardening. In death, he was reunited with his parents, grandmother, and father-in-law, John Nalepa. Felix will be greatly missed by his wife, Judy, and his proud children; sons, Dr. Antonio (Denise) Simora, Dr. John (Jeri) Simora, Robert (Heather) Simora, Eric (Victoria) Simora, Bryon (Lauren) Simora, and daughter, April (Kyle) Nordrehaug; grandchildren: Angela, Gabriella, Antonio, Justin, Jacob, Josephine, Jonas, Lauren, Hayden, Ellyana, Georgia, Ryon; brother; Leocadio (Webena) Simora, and nephews: Levi, Leovy, Jun-Leo Simora; Mother-in-Law, Dorothy Nalepa, sisters-in-law; Kay (Mike) Pamula, Joanne Lockwood; nieces: Christine (Eric) Holmstrom, Lisa (Craig) Andrzejewski, Jill ( Matt ) Eichner, nephew, Richard Lockwood. Private visitation. Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Cathedral on Saturday, August 27, at 11:00 a.m. Private interment. Arrangements are being handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Suite 216, Erie, PA 16501. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video