Edward F. Simonds

SCARBOROUGH - Edward F. Simonds, 91, a long-time resident of Stratton Woods in Scarborough, died peacefully on March 18 after a brief illness. Mr. Simonds was born December 23, 1920, on Exeter Street in Portland, the second son of Elizabeth (Doyle) and John H. Simonds, Sr. He graduated from Deering High School, Class of 1938, and after a post-graduate year at Hebron Academy, he attended Bowdoin College where he was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity, graduating in 1943. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1944, serving in the Pacific Theater. Upon his return, Mr. Simonds served with the 103rd Infantry of the Maine National Guard until 1959, achieving the rank of Captain. In 1940, Mr. Simonds married his childhood sweetheart, Rose Ellen Hayes, and for the next 72 years they had the most wonderful journey imaginable. After a successful business career, in which he began as a salesman for the McBee Company and ended as a Vice President for the Bell Howell Company, Mr. Simonds and his wife embarked on a series of trips throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, abundantly recorded on film. He also found time to volunteer, serving on the Scarborough Planning Board, Hospice of Southern Maine, St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, and major fund-raising roles for the Scarborough Public Library and St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. For more than 70 years, Mr. Simonds summered at Pine Point, on Dover Street. He taught himself to sail, taking many unwary visitors on an adventuresome odyssey in Saco Bay. He skied into his 80s and loved a round of golf at South Portland Muni. He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, John H. Jr., and Charles A. Simonds. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their four children: Beth (Bob) Branson of Venice, FL, Chick (Joan Gulliver) of Deerfield, IL, Michael (Nancy White) of East Windsor, CT, and Leslie Simonds and her husband, Charles Koutsivitis of Scarborough. Also surviving Mr. Simonds are his five grandchildren: Jane (Mike) Smack, John (Donna) Branson, Matthew (Janet) Simonds, Alexandra (Reg) Berry, and Benjamin (Nicole) Simonds; seven great-grandchildren: Hillary, Lydia, Nick, Jack, Nate, Tommy, and Joey; and several nieces and nephews throughout Maine and New England. Friends and family are invited to a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, June 22, 2012 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Black Point Road, Scarborough. There will be a private committal at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Friends of the family are invited to a reception in the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Hall. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen, 307 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101, or to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. Mrs. Simonds and her family wish to thank the Barron Center administration and the staff on 2nd and 3rd floor north for their extreme kindness and compassion during Mr. Simonds' brief stay. Arrangements are being handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, Maine 04106.Online condolences may be expressed below.