Philip Norman Simmons

Phil graduated from Brockton High School, the Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, N.Y., and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during WW2 aboard a fleet oiler in the Atlantic theatre.

Phil worked as a civil engineer on the Garrison Dam in North Dakota, and on power plants for paper mills in Maine and New Hampshire. After 33 years of service, he retired as Vice-President of Soneco Service in Groton, CT.

Phil served on the East Lyme Board of Education for 8 years, the Harbor Management commission for many years, volunteered on 4 East Lyme School Building Committees, and worked with the Ancient Cemetery Commission. He was past assistant treasurer of the Niantic Bay Yacht Club, past president of the Thames Club, and a member of the Off Soundings Club.

An active member of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, he served on many of its boards and committees. He volunteered at Habitat for Humanity projects in CT., South Dakota, and Tennessee.

Phil loved to travel, worked tirelessly restoring his 18th century house, enjoyed gardening, had a passion for sailing, spent hours researching his family genealogy, and made classical music and opera available for all to hear throughout the house – even outdoors! He and Judy, with Nathalie Fogg, ran a cultural exchange tour, “New England Experience”, under the umbrella of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, welcoming people from Great Britain to enjoy our region. He was pleased that their house was always open to people from other countries and cultures.

Phil was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Florence Simmons, his sister, Arlene Simmons, and two grandchildren, Brian David Simmons and Morna Paige Marolda. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith (White) Simmons, four sons, Dana (Julie), Summerfield, N.C.; David (Kathy), Jamestown, R.I.; Jonathan (Lisa), Niantic, CT.; and Jeffrey (Tara), Vineyard Haven, MA.; one daughter, Jane. Salem, CT.; his sister, Marjorie Hunt, and brother, Roger Simmons; thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held on March 28, 2015 at 3pm at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 5 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Phil’s memory sent to the music department at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme is handling the arrangements. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes, directions and more service information.