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Michael Simmons
MICHAEL JOSEPH SIMMONS March 13, 1940 ~ November 28, 2023
The family of Mr. Michael Joseph Simmons, age 83 years, are saddened to announce his peaceful passing in St. Joseph's Hospital - Hospice Unit on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Michael was born in Whitemouth, Manitoba on March 13, 1940. He was raised in the East End and later in Blake Township where he was affectionately known by family and friends as "Mickey". Following his sense of adventure, Michael moved to Toronto and worked at the Royal York Hotel until he walked past the recruiting office. Continuing to feel his desire for adventure, he went in and signed on the dotted line, leaving for basic training at Camp Borden. Michael trained at the school for the Royal Canadian Service Corps ("the first and the finest").
Returning home for Christmas in 1961, Michael's mother introduced him to his future wife, Diane Grawbarger (O'Neil), and they were married on August 4, 1962 in St. Thomas Anglican Church. The next 18 years saw the family move every three years. During that time, they did two tours with NATO in Soest and Lahr, Germany and Michael served one tour of duty with the UN in Egypt. In 1980, they returned home to Thunder Bay.
After retiring from service, Michael began working for Iris Lucchese at Lacey's Taxi (the best boss he ever had!), driving hundreds of students in his school van over the next 20 years. He retired for the second time and enjoyed meeting friends for coffee at Tim Hortons and Robins. Sadly, his battle with dementia took this and many other enjoyments away from Michael; however he soon found new friends at Manor House and, for the past five years, at the Dementia Cafe at the Abbey.
Michael is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane; son Mark (Rachell), grandchildren Cynthia, Bruce and great-granddaughter Scarlett, all of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; daughter Tracey (Joe) Schenck and grandsons Samuel and Jonah, all of Jordan, Ontario; his brother Jim (Diana) and their daughter Nadine. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Shaun (Lynn) O'Neil of Pass Lake, Ontario, and Kevin (Debbie) O'Neil, sisters-in-law Colleen (Al) Snelgrove, Kelly Green and Pat (Peter) Hnatiw as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and special cousin Beverly Erickson.
He was predeceased by his parents, Angela "Jean" (nee Siciliano) and Lenard Simmons; grandparents Annunziata and Salvatore Siciliano; mother-in-law and father-in-law Doris (Stokes/Grawbarger) and "Peg" O'Neil as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and nephew Jesse O'Neil.
Funeral Services for Michael will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11:00am in St. Thomas Anglican Church (1400 Edward Street South), officiated by Rev. Jonathan Blanchard. The interment of Michael's urn will follow in Mountainview Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 2:00 until 4:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Michael to Alzheimer Society, Hospice Unit of St. Joseph's Hospital or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
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