Obituary for Sumner Earl Simmons, Jr.
Sumner Earl, Simmons, Jr. “Bill”, passed away at his home on March 22 after a long illness. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth B. Simmons, who died in 2014.
Born on March 29, 1920 in Somerset, MA, he was the son of Sumner E. Simmons and Grace R. Paull. He was a graduate of Philips Exeter Academy and of Harvard University, Class of 1942. At Harvard, he was a varsity lacrosse player for three years. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served in the 15th Air Force as a flight engineer on the B-17 Flying Fortress.
In 1948, he started as an engineer at Factory Mutual, and stayed with the company through the rest of his career. He retired as a Senior Vice President of Allendale Insurance (now FM Global) in 1985.
With the exception of the years he served in the Air Force, Bill spent a part of every summer at Martha’s Vineyard and had a home at Edgartown. An avid sailor, he was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club, and was formerly a member of the Barrington and New Bedford Yacht Clubs. He had also been a member of the Hope and University Clubs of Providence.
A devoted Red Sox fan, he had seen Babe Ruth play at Fenway and was delighted to see the Sox finally win the World Series (twice)
He is survived by his two daughters, Ellen Simmons of Providence and Marcia S. Brown of Bristol; and by two grandchildren, Emily S. Brown of Pawtucket and Ian Brown of New Haven, CT. He was the father of the late David B. Simmons.
A memorial service will be held at the Hope Club in Providence on Wednesday, March 30 at 4:30.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Bill’s memory to the Trustees of Reservations, 572 Essex St. Beverly, MA 01915 or Meals on Wheels., 70 Bath St., Providence, RI 02908.
A memorial service will be held at the Hope Club in Providence on Wednesday, March 30 at 4:30.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Bill’s memory to the Trustees of Reservations, 572 Essex St. Beverly, MA 01915 or Meals on Wheels., 70 Bath St., Providence, RI 02908.
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Born on March 29, 1920 in Somerset, MA, he was the son of Sumner E. Simmons and Grace R. Paull. He was a graduate of Philips Exeter Academy and of Harvard University, Class of 1942. At Harvard, he was a varsity lacrosse player for three years. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served in the 15th Air Force as a flight engineer on the B-17 Flying Fortress.
In 1948, he started as an engineer at Factory Mutual, and stayed with the company through the rest of his career. He retired as a Senior Vice President of Allendale Insurance (now FM Global) in 1985.
With the exception of the years he served in the Air Force, Bill spent a part of every summer at Martha’s Vineyard and had a home at Edgartown. An avid sailor, he was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club, and was formerly a member of the Barrington and New Bedford Yacht Clubs. He had also been a member of the Hope and University Clubs of Providence.
A devoted Red Sox fan, he had seen Babe Ruth play at Fenway and was delighted to see the Sox finally win the World Series (twice)
He is survived by his two daughters, Ellen Simmons of Providence and Marcia S. Brown of Bristol; and by two grandchildren, Emily S. Brown of Pawtucket and Ian Brown of New Haven, CT. He was the father of the late David B. Simmons.
A memorial service will be held at the Hope Club in Providence on Wednesday, March 30 at 4:30.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Bill’s memory to the Trustees of Reservations, 572 Essex St. Beverly, MA 01915 or Meals on Wheels., 70 Bath St., Providence, RI 02908.
A memorial service will be held at the Hope Club in Providence on Wednesday, March 30 at 4:30.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Bill’s memory to the Trustees of Reservations, 572 Essex St. Beverly, MA 01915 or Meals on Wheels., 70 Bath St., Providence, RI 02908.
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