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January 9, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 4-8 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 beginning 10:30 AM, at the funeral home, followed by interment at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.
Donald C. Simmons, Sr., age 86, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2017.
Donald was born and raised in Paterson and had lived in Wayne for fifty-seven years.
Following graduation from Paterson’s Eastside High School with the Class of 1949, Donald felt it best to join the U.S. Army. His own father had passed away when Donald was just thirteen years of age and he felt that a salary from the Army might be a good way to help provide for his mother, two sisters, and brother. He proudly served from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Upon his return to civilian life, Donald met his beloved wife to be – Harriet Brown one day at church. They soon fell in love and on Sunday, September 2, 1956, Donald and Harriet exchanged wedding vows before God, family and friends at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Paterson. Following a honeymoon in Bermuda – which coincidentally gave Don a chance to visit his family who lived in Bermuda – Don and his new bride Harriet settled into their first home together as husband and wife in a third-floor apartment on 12th Ave. in Paterson. Three years later, in 1959, they moved to Wayne and that move would prove to be their last. There, they raised their three beautiful daughters and one son.
After returning from service in the Army, Donald initially took a job with Marnick Shell Gas Station on Lafayette Street in Paterson. He worked there as a mechanic and, while he was quite skilled at working on engines, the most adrenaline-producing part of his job was using the station’s tow truck to repossess cars. Always a car enthusiast, some of the cars he helped the banks repossess were so nice, he ended up buying them. Don ultimately landed a job with the Grand Union grocery chain where he enjoyed a rewarding career spanning thirty years while working himself up through the company ranks to Regional Manager. He retired in 1995.
Donald was a real community-minded person. As a young man in the 1950’s he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 51 in Paterson, and when he moved to Wayne, he joined Community Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 on Parish Drive. During his 48 years as a volunteer with the department, he served three terms as Chief. Don would never forget the year 1975. That was the year of the big Cozy Cleaners fire in the Mountain View section of Wayne. It occurred just one month after he sworn in as chief for the first time. He was also appointed Chief in 1981 and 1983 and he served for many years as a Passaic County Committeeman in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association, and ultimately as its’ Vice President. In his later years he took great pride in caring for his fire company’s antique 1930 Ahrens Fox Pumper. He loved to ride it in the local parades and sometimes he’d take his grandchildren down to the firehouse and take them for a spin.
Don really valued the institution of family. Whether it was his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters and brother, or the guys on the fire department who were like brothers to him, Don perceived such relationships to be one of life’s greatest gifts. His dear wife Harriet once nicknamed him “Big Daddy” and that’s who he was to his family and many friends. Don pursued these blessed relationships in various way and one of them was through his love of camping with his family at Panther Lake in Andover, NJ. Now Don’s idea of camping was not in a tent. He was more attracted to camping trailers. As the years went on, the trailers grew and morphed into RV’s which in turn got bigger and bigger. His last one was a 42 foot Holiday Rambler. As much as he loved his vehicles, it was really those simple times spent with family that he cherished most in his heart. In addition to Panther Lake, he loved taking his RV on regular summer trips to the Thousand Islands, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and even to the annual firemen’s convention down the Jersey shore in Wildwood.
At home Don enjoyed time in his big vegetable garden and displaying his culinary skills in the kitchen. With Harriet often working the 3-11 or 11-7 shift as a nurse’s aide, Big Daddy did most of the cooking in the household. Family favorites included his collard greens and his grilled beefsteak and chicken. He really was a good cook and he’d always say, “All I need is a little salt and pepper.” He also made a great potato and macaroni salad. For dessert, he was always up for a little vanilla ice cream or a piece of his daughter Brenda’s apple cake. A wonderful family tradition was gathering for Sunday dinners and Big Daddy enjoyed having his kids and grandchildren gathered for the big holidays.
As already mentioned, Don loved his cars. In fact, he pretty much loved anything that had four wheels. Whether it was his 1958 Chevy hardtop (that was his favorite car) or his RV’s or that 1930 Ahrens Fox Pumper down at the firehouse, he was regimental about keeping them well cared for and looking their best and he often- times included his grandchildren in cleaning and waxing these vehicles.
Although Don was generally a quiet man who kept his thoughts to himself, his dry sense of humor would always come out at the most perfect of moments. His family will miss seeing him, especially in recent years, sitting on his front porch – sometimes taking a little afternoon siesta and sometimes waving to you as you came to visit.
Donald is survived by his dear son: Donald Simmons, Jr. and wife Brenda of Wayne; two dear daughters: Barbara Simmons and Cynthia Simmons – both of Wayne; five cherished grandchildren: Stacey Simmons, Ashley Fasano and husband Mike, Brooke Simmons, Tyler and wife Jacklyn Simmons, and Donald Simmons, III; two adored great-grandsons: Derek Simmons and Sonny Fasano; two dear sisters: Barbara Isaac of Paterson, and Isabelle Hinton of Lakewood; and one dear sister-in-law: Ann Simmons of Paterson. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of forty-nine years – Harriet L. (Brown) in 2005; his dear daughter Beverly F. Davis in 1995; his brother Willis Simmons, and his two brother-in-laws: James Isaac, and Henry Hinton.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Donald, Senior’s name are asked to consider Community Volunteer Fire Company #1, 97 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 4-8 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 beginning 10:30 AM, at the funeral home, followed by interment at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.
January 9, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 4-8 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 beginning 10:30 AM, at the funeral home, followed by interment at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.
Donald C. Simmons, Sr., age 86, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2017.
Donald was born and raised in Paterson and had lived in Wayne for fifty-seven years.
Following graduation from Paterson’s Eastside High School with the Class of 1949, Donald felt it best to join the U.S. Army. His own father had passed away when Donald was just thirteen years of age and he felt that a salary from the Army might be a good way to help provide for his mother, two sisters, and brother. He proudly served from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Upon his return to civilian life, Donald met his beloved wife to be – Harriet Brown one day at church. They soon fell in love and on Sunday, September 2, 1956, Donald and Harriet exchanged wedding vows before God, family and friends at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Paterson. Following a honeymoon in Bermuda – which coincidentally gave Don a chance to visit his family who lived in Bermuda – Don and his new bride Harriet settled into their first home together as husband and wife in a third-floor apartment on 12th Ave. in Paterson. Three years later, in 1959, they moved to Wayne and that move would prove to be their last. There, they raised their three beautiful daughters and one son.
After returning from service in the Army, Donald initially took a job with Marnick Shell Gas Station on Lafayette Street in Paterson. He worked there as a mechanic and, while he was quite skilled at working on engines, the most adrenaline-producing part of his job was using the station’s tow truck to repossess cars. Always a car enthusiast, some of the cars he helped the banks repossess were so nice, he ended up buying them. Don ultimately landed a job with the Grand Union grocery chain where he enjoyed a rewarding career spanning thirty years while working himself up through the company ranks to Regional Manager. He retired in 1995.
Donald was a real community-minded person. As a young man in the 1950’s he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 51 in Paterson, and when he moved to Wayne, he joined Community Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 on Parish Drive. During his 48 years as a volunteer with the department, he served three terms as Chief. Don would never forget the year 1975. That was the year of the big Cozy Cleaners fire in the Mountain View section of Wayne. It occurred just one month after he sworn in as chief for the first time. He was also appointed Chief in 1981 and 1983 and he served for many years as a Passaic County Committeeman in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association, and ultimately as its’ Vice President. In his later years he took great pride in caring for his fire company’s antique 1930 Ahrens Fox Pumper. He loved to ride it in the local parades and sometimes he’d take his grandchildren down to the firehouse and take them for a spin.
Don really valued the institution of family. Whether it was his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters and brother, or the guys on the fire department who were like brothers to him, Don perceived such relationships to be one of life’s greatest gifts. His dear wife Harriet once nicknamed him “Big Daddy” and that’s who he was to his family and many friends. Don pursued these blessed relationships in various way and one of them was through his love of camping with his family at Panther Lake in Andover, NJ. Now Don’s idea of camping was not in a tent. He was more attracted to camping trailers. As the years went on, the trailers grew and morphed into RV’s which in turn got bigger and bigger. His last one was a 42 foot Holiday Rambler. As much as he loved his vehicles, it was really those simple times spent with family that he cherished most in his heart. In addition to Panther Lake, he loved taking his RV on regular summer trips to the Thousand Islands, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and even to the annual firemen’s convention down the Jersey shore in Wildwood.
At home Don enjoyed time in his big vegetable garden and displaying his culinary skills in the kitchen. With Harriet often working the 3-11 or 11-7 shift as a nurse’s aide, Big Daddy did most of the cooking in the household. Family favorites included his collard greens and his grilled beefsteak and chicken. He really was a good cook and he’d always say, “All I need is a little salt and pepper.” He also made a great potato and macaroni salad. For dessert, he was always up for a little vanilla ice cream or a piece of his daughter Brenda’s apple cake. A wonderful family tradition was gathering for Sunday dinners and Big Daddy enjoyed having his kids and grandchildren gathered for the big holidays.
As already mentioned, Don loved his cars. In fact, he pretty much loved anything that had four wheels. Whether it was his 1958 Chevy hardtop (that was his favorite car) or his RV’s or that 1930 Ahrens Fox Pumper down at the firehouse, he was regimental about keeping them well cared for and looking their best and he often- times included his grandchildren in cleaning and waxing these vehicles.
Although Don was generally a quiet man who kept his thoughts to himself, his dry sense of humor would always come out at the most perfect of moments. His family will miss seeing him, especially in recent years, sitting on his front porch – sometimes taking a little afternoon siesta and sometimes waving to you as you came to visit.
Donald is survived by his dear son: Donald Simmons, Jr. and wife Brenda of Wayne; two dear daughters: Barbara Simmons and Cynthia Simmons – both of Wayne; five cherished grandchildren: Stacey Simmons, Ashley Fasano and husband Mike, Brooke Simmons, Tyler and wife Jacklyn Simmons, and Donald Simmons, III; two adored great-grandsons: Derek Simmons and Sonny Fasano; two dear sisters: Barbara Isaac of Paterson, and Isabelle Hinton of Lakewood; and one dear sister-in-law: Ann Simmons of Paterson. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of forty-nine years – Harriet L. (Brown) in 2005; his dear daughter Beverly F. Davis in 1995; his brother Willis Simmons, and his two brother-in-laws: James Isaac, and Henry Hinton.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Donald, Senior’s name are asked to consider Community Volunteer Fire Company #1, 97 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470.
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