Firmin Edward Simms

Firmin Edward Simms passed away peacefully and went to his heavenly Father on Saturday, May 9, 2020. He was 91 years old. He was born in New Orleans, LA on December 30, 1928, to Frank and Della Simms.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Elaine Montelepre Simms, who he described as having “the patience of a saint” and “was an angel to put up with me for so long”; his father Frank Gerard Simms, his mother Della Martin Simms, his brother Frank Simms, his sister Rosemary Simms, and sisters-in-law, Doris Montelepre Cosse’ (Roy) and Claire Montelepre Cresson (Russ).

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Jacklyn Brooks Simms; his daughters, Carolyn Simms Block (Doug), Mary Elizabeth Simms Hecker (John), Laurie Simms Wahlder (Tommy), and Sandra Simms Roach Nuss (Mark); his son Gerard John Simms (Ann); his step-daughters, Judy Brooks Nodurft (Danny) and Jody Brooks; his step-sons, Dr. Jay Brooks (Vicki) and Jeff Brooks (Lisa); 15 grandchildren: Jennifer Block Massett (Trey), Douglas Block (Maegan), Laura Block, Rebekah Block Spansel (Brook), Jonathan Block, Jason Simms, Ryan Simms (Crissy), Allison Simms, Stephen Hecker (Megan) , Katherine Hecker, Luke Hecker, Joshua Wahlder, Zachary Wahlder, Lilia Wahlder, and Mary Elaine Roach; and 9 step-grandchildren: Megan Richardson (Nick), B.J. Brooks (Hannah), Joshua Brooks (Anna), Tyler Brooks, McKenzie Brooks, Logan Brooks, Ross Nodurft (Courtney) , Ryan Nodurft (Catherine), and Danielle Nodurft. He is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, 8 step-great grandchildren, brothers-in- law, Joseph Montelepre (Nancy) and John Montelepre (Janice), and many nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Louisiana National Guard. He was a foreman for Bell South for 37 years and a coach and Supervisor for New Orleans Recreation Department for many years. He was a St Pius X Parishioner, a Manressa Retreat Captain, a Hall of Fame member of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and a member of Babe Ruth Baseball and Commercial Athletic Association (CAA). He was the recipient of the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches “Mr. Louisiana Basketball” Award in 2007 and U.S. Amateur Coach of the Year Award. He was a highly decorated Babe Ruth Baseball League coach for 46 years, coaching with NORD and JPRD Westbank, securing a record 5 World Series Championships. He was the National Director of Biddy Basketball for the last 24 years, winning 17 Biddy championships, both as a coach and as director.

Throughout his life, he was a faithful parishioner at St Cecilia, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Raphael, and, most recently, St Pius X. Growing up without a father, who died shortly after he was born, he gravitated toward his love of sports. He was influenced by the Catholic teachings of Holy Cross High School, graduating in 1946. At the age of 17 years old, he began coaching at St. Cecilia and Bunny Friend Playground and discovered how sports could be instrumental in helping kids develop life values and life’s lessons and guiding them to be closer to Jesus. All of his teams knew, “God was first, teammates came second and I was last”. To this day, many of his ex-players carry the “De Colores” book of prayers to be in “God’s graces until we meet again”. His teams often went to church together and met with the priest following mass for a special blessing.

His coaching was based on striving for perfect practice, playing with heart, sportsmanship, and putting God and teammates first. These fundamentals led his teams to win many National Championships in Biddy Basketball and World Series Championships in Babe Ruth Baseball. Using this principle, as a flag football quarterback, his South Central Bell teams won many CAA championships, with simple precision offenses and really good teammates. Reliance on many, good-hearted people carried over to his booster clubs and coaching staff in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, many of whom were parents, former players, and friends that wanted to make a difference. Memories of the Bunny Friend Boosters, Wesley Barrow Lakeshore Babe Ruth, Jefferson Parish Westbank, New Orleans/St. Raphael Biddy and National Biddy are rich with special people who made a difference in children’s lives.

He has been the National Director of Biddy Basketball since 1996. The program includes over 1500 boys’ and girls’ teams, ranging from ages 7 to 13 years old, from 10 states and Finland. Throughout these years, he gave his traditional “You hold the kids in the palm of your hand” speech, in which he instilled in participating coaches that, above and beyond winning, they were to be a positive influence in the lives of their players. To the players, he impressed upon them the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Inspired by his relationships with Msgr. Bob Massett, Msgr. Aleman, Msgr. Guste, and Very Rev. Pat Williams, he wore the Cross proudly and never passed up an opportunity to tell a story of God’s grace to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, as well as to extended families of ball players and coaches. He would pass out stories of Jesus at Christmas, spiritual cards at birthdays, books written by Matthew Kelly and/or the De Colores book.

In his spare time, he and Jacklyn enjoyed trips to the Holy Land and Hawaii. He enjoyed August family vacation trips, always scheduled around his Babe Ruth schedule, just in case he made it to the World Series. He enjoyed Disneyworld turkey legs and a good cold O’Doul’s beer; Busch Gardens Clydesdales and Bud tour; golf with his son and sons-in-law; his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish; trips to New York with his son to see his Yankees play; Saints games, home and away; riding in the Elk’s parade, throwing beads wrapped in his favorite Scripture; riding any roller coaster; and of course sleeping….on park benches, comfortable rocking chairs, in Disney’s Hall of Presidents, in his lounge chair, at traffic lights, and even in the middle of a conversation!

The Simms family would like to extend a special thanks to all of Dad’s caregivers: Kim Breazeale, Katherine Brooks, Annie Taylor, and Belinda Aultman, who treated our Dad like their own. We would also like to thank the staff of Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their care, understanding and compassion. We were so blessed to have you all involved in his care!

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2020, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd, Metairie, LA., with a private burial to follow. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed from the church for those who are unable to attend due to current restrictions. Live streaming can be accessed through the following link: https://youtu.be/YDXXapcaTnI.

A visitation for the general public will be held at the church from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holy Cross High School, St. Pius X Church, Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care, or Manresa House of Retreats.

The family invites you to share your thoughts and fond memories online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.