Stephen H. Simmons

Stephen H. Simmons of Southold died Aug. 25 at his home. He was 89 years old.

He was born Sept. 28, 1923, in Brooklyn to Stephen and Matilda Simmons. In his younger years, Mr. Simmons was in the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and acting as assistant scoutmaster for three years in Floral Park, N.Y., when the community did not have a scoutmaster. He was also a camp counselor at Camp Wauwepex in Wading River and served as a lifeguard at the 4-H camp in Riverhead when it first opened. He attended St. John’s and Our Lady of Victory elementary schools and Sewanhaka High School, all in Floral Park.

Shortly after receiving his high school diploma, during World War II, Mr. Simmons enlisted in the United States Army, joining the Army Air Corps 409th Light Bomb Group. He served in the European theatre, seeing action in England, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.

Upon returning from overseas, he began working as a repairman for New York Telephone, joining the Communication Workers of America and serving as a union steward. He retired after over 40 years of service with the phone company.

He married Violet in 1950, and the couple relocated to Southold 10 years later. In Southold, he was a volunteer firefighter with Packard Hose Company for over 40 years and belonged to American Legion Post 803.

Predeceased by his wife in 2002, Mr. Simmons is survived by his daughter, Lynda (Ray) Carpenter of Aquebogue and his son, Stephen (Lynn), of Colchester, Conn.; his grandchildren, Jennifer Michaelis of Aquebogue and Stephen and Edward of Colchester, Conn.; and his sister, Dorothy Simmons of Greenport.

The family received visitors Aug. 27 at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue, where a funeral service took place Aug. 28. Interment with military honors followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Southold Fire Department.

This is a paid notice.