Harold G. "Sonny" Simmons

Harold G. 'Sonny' Simmons, 81 BOOTHBAY HARBOR -- Harold G. 'Sonny' Simmons, 81, died peacefully Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor. Sonny was born in Thomaston on Oct. 9, 1926. He moved to Boothbay Harbor with his father, Harold 'Simmy' Simmons and his stepmother, Gurtha 'Gigi' in 1934 when they started Simmons & Harrington Funeral Home with partner Hank Harrington on Townsend Avenue. Sonny began helping out with the business at the age of 15 driving the vehicle which served as both ambulance and hearse. He graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1945 and attended the New England Institute of Anatomy and Embalming in Boston. In 1948 he married Gail Pinkham of Boothbay Harbor. Sonny took over the business in 1957 running both funeral home and ambulance service until he established the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service in 1976. He was also the principle force behind the Boothbay Region Communications Center. He is a member of Kora Temple Shrine, Lions Club, and the American Legion. He served for many years as a volunteer fireman and Trustee of the Boothbay Region Cemetery District. He was predeceased by his father, Harold W. Simmons, mother, Kathleen Blethen Gerrish, stepmother, Gurtha Barter Simmons; wife, Gail Pinkham Simmons; and sister, Judith Gerrish Bunker. He is survived by a son, Harold W. Simmons II of Southport, daughters, Sunni Gail Page and her husband Phil of Boothbay Harbor, Susan Lewis and her husband Jody of Boothbay; grandchildren, Kate Stevens of Boothbay, Richard G. Simmons of Boothbay, Steven B. Simmons of Southport, Nicholas P. Page of Boothbay Harbor, Andrew P. Page of Boothbay Harbor; great-grandchildren, Jacob Simmons of Boothbay, Lincoln Simmons of Boothbay, Shawn Simmons of Boothbay, Allison Simmons of Southport; long time companion, Betty Goulette of Boothbay Harbor; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, April 5, at Oceanview Cemetery in Boothbay. Al Roberts will officiate. A gathering following the service will be held at the Gallery (a.k.a. Tommy Sewall's barn) on Route 96 in Boothbay Harbor. Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay. Contributions in Sonny's memory may be made to: The Boothbay Region Ambulance Service P.O. Box 280 Boothbay, Maine 04537