REV. RUSSELL J. DeSIMONE, O.S.A., Augustinian Friar, passed away at St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, PA, on Monday December 29, 2014 at the age of 90. Known internationally as a Patristic Scholar, he taught the life and works of the Fathers of the Early Church, especially Novatian, a Roman Presbyter. Father Russell was a professor at Villanova University and was Director of its Augustinian Institute, editor of Augustinian Studies and a contributor to various journals, including the Fathers of the Church series and an Italian language Dictionary of Patristics and Christian Antiquity. He also taught for over 38 years at the Patristic Institute, Augustinianum, as well as at the Angelicum, both in Rome. He was one of three brothers who entered the priesthood, the only children of Anthony and Nicolina (Volpe) De Simone, formerly of Bridgeport, PA. Besides the friars of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, he is survived by an older brother, Most Rev. Louis DeSimone, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. A younger brother, Monsignor Salvatore DeSimone, passed away in 1989, while pastor of St. Thomas Church in Brigantine, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday January 5, 7:30 PM at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the University Campus, Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA. Relatives and friends may visit at the Church after 6:00 PM. Interment will take place on Tuesday Jan. 6, 9:30 AM at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA. Contributions in Fr. Russell's memory may be made to the Augustinian Fund: Care of the Sick and Elderly, c/o: Augustinian Provincial Offices, P.O. Box 340, Villanova, PA 19085-0340.