Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1933
DIED
2023
FUNERAL HOME
Ottiwell Simmons Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Ottiwell Simmons
27 Entries
Sandys Parish Council
July 9, 2023
Sincere condolences to the entire family of Mr. Ottiwell Simmons.
The legacy of your loved one will live on and his commitment to the rights of the workers affected so many residents in the parish of Sandys. May God strengthen and comfort you during this difficult time.
We salute your Dad.
Maxie Boodhoo
June 27, 2023
Our deepest sympathy to Mr Simmons family. I met him when I worked in Bermuda in the 70's he was very kind and respectful to everyone around him. May God rest his soul and shower his family with peace knowing he is with the Lord. Maxie Boodhoo Canada.
Amy Knight
June 25, 2023
Prayers and condolences to the Simmons family.
Amy Knight
Jeanna Knight
June 25, 2023
Sending condolences and prayers of comfort and strength to the family. The legacy of Ottiwell Simmons will live on as one who improved the quality of life for many. Otti Jr sending much love.
Jeanna Knight
Helene Stephenson
June 25, 2023
What he fought for and gained has made a difference to ALL employees of Bermuda.
Mr. & Mrs./Drs. Leonard & Rosamund Gibbons
June 25, 2023
Sincere Condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Ottiwell Simmons. His public discussions on race-relations, as well as his more private commitment to his buddies, were inspirational.
Keeva Joell-Benjamin
June 25, 2023
Emma, my thoughta and prayers are with you. My sincere condolences to the Simmons family.
Anthony & Lynne Wade
June 25, 2023
Emma & Family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. As you lay him to rest today, may our Good God give comfort and peace as only He knows how. When missing him gets a little hard, may your hearts be filled with beautiful & cherished memories.
Bountiful Blessings,
Dawnett Walker (Jamaica)
June 25, 2023
To his family and loved ones, as the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Rest in peace Sir, very friendly and decent gentleman.
Dr. Rosamund Williams-Gibbons
June 25, 2023
Sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Ottiwell Simmons.
I met, and grew to admire, Mr. Simmons through my aunt and uncle Jeannine and the late Calvin J. Smith. I remain inspired by the comradery shared amongst Uncle Cal, "Otti" and the handful of gentlemen who met and dined together weekly (Wednesdays), post-retirememt. So smitten was I with the idea, that I once photographed Uncle Cal leaving home, as he was being picked up by Mr. Simmons. Sadly, .. It happened to have been their last such time.
Mr. Simmons visited Uncle Cal at BHB and at home, as far as he was able, providing much moral support for my mom's sister.
He greeted me with a kind-hearted smile, only a few weeks ago. Though frail, he expressed concern for my aunt, and wanted to know that she was doing well.
Well done, Mr. Ottiwell A. Simmons. You have, by being here, changed Bermuda and the world for the better. See you, "In that great getting-up morning."
Tanya Warner (ASIL)
June 25, 2023
To Emma and family, I send my sincere condolences for your loss. Your father was a great man who leaves a great legacy. May God comfort and keep you in His loving arms. You will be in my prayers today and for many days to come.
Gaylhia Le May
June 24, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family of Bro. Ottiwell Simmons. Although very young at the time, I can vividly remember the 1977 riots and the 1981 strike and the voice that of reassurance during that time was none other than Bro. Ottiwell Simmons. He fought so many fights and won on behalf of us all. Bermuda is a better place because of his grit! Ottiwell Simmons was a giant of a man!
Elvita Jones Bailey
June 24, 2023
My sincere condolences to Ottie Jr, and all of the Family. May God´s love, and cherished memories comfort you
Blessings,
Elvita
Vernalda Hudgen (Peniston)
June 24, 2023
Deepest sympathy & condolences to the family of the Hon Ottiwell Simmons, JP. I do remember our last conversation when you told me all about the time you lived in Hartford, CT & worked at The Hartford Club. I will always cherish that memory.
Citizens Uprooting Racism Bermuda
June 24, 2023
CURB extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ottiwell Simmons for his lifetime commitment to the workers of Bermuda.
From the earliest days of the Bermuda Workers Association to the formation of the Bermuda Industrial Union in 1947, the fight for equality, equity and racial justice was at the forefront of the early labour movement. The courageous leaders of the movement found themselves confronted by government-sponsored racism and systemic racial injustices.
Into this fight in 1962 stepped a young man named Ottiwell Simmons, recently appointed Chief Negotiator for the BIU. As he later described it, the union had to deal with pervasive racism and victimisation such as: workers being evicted by anti-BIU landlords, workers being fired arbitrarily and workers coming home to discover their lights had been turned off summarily.
The labour movement became Ottiwell Simmons´ lifetime commitment and passion, where his innate charisma and outstanding skills put the BIU on the international map and gained him recognition and appointments to executive positions in various overseas bodies. In Bermuda, the labour movement was much maligned and Ottiwell Simmons suffered verbal abuse, often in person, in the press and later online.
The BIU and Ottiwell Simmons, along with many others, were fighting for greater equality in the Bermuda workforce, as such their fight was inextricably linked with racial justice work. CURB mourns the loss of a giant of a man, one who stepped forward during Bermuda´s crisis of inequality, and who despite backlash and abuse, rose above the fray and continued to fight for the rights, opportunities, and access of the workers; rights which many of us take for granted today.
May you rest in peace Ottiwell Simmons
Coolridge Bell
June 24, 2023
I would like to send my sincere condolences to the family of the late Hon. Ottiwell Simmons JP. Our prayers are with you in these difficult times. Daughter Emma hang in there the Bell family send lots of love. Thank you Otti for all the things you taught me about life and unionism. Love you P.L.O. 4 life. Bumla Bell
Raymond Wedderburn
June 24, 2023
I would like to send my condolences to the the family of the late Hon. OTTIWELL ASKEW SIMMONS JP
Patricia E. Seymour
June 23, 2023
To the Family of Ottiwell Simmons my Sincere Condolences. "OA" as we called him when I worked with him at Union in Sixties. He was always the Organiser, serious.friendly, & percise. I have many lifetime memories, my friend. may he rest in peace.
Roseanne Astwood and Daina Astwood-George
June 23, 2023
Sincere condolences to all of Ottie´s family, including his sisters-in-law, Ann Simmons and Claudette Simmons, who will miss his Sunday visits, on the passing of Ottie. My daughter and I enjoyed some of those dinners with him when we were at home. It was always a pleasure to be in his company.
Carol Everson
June 23, 2023
Remembered with love and respect. Heaven has a new fighting hero.
Aletha Blackmon-Forth
June 23, 2023
My heart is sadden to hear the passing of Ottiwell. My Condolences to the family." Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." My prayers are with you.
Glenda Gibson
June 23, 2023
My heartfelt condolences to Ottie Jr., Emma, Judson and the restbif the family. May God comfort you all in this journey. Your all in my prayers
L Dunkley
June 23, 2023
Deepest sympathy from Winifred Dunkley and family. Praying for the family.
M ichael Bradshaw
June 22, 2023
On behalf of Mrs. Daphne Anderson and family, condolences and thanks are sent to the Simmons family, the BIU family and the labour community at large. for the life and work of Uncle Ottie. He knew me before I knew myself and always was a positive influence in my life as he was for many young Black males. He came from a particular generation that honoured and fought for their community. I understood later in life what this meant and I learned to value it. You are missed already. I was earnestly looking forward to a further visit and chat.
from the fellow in the corner
Winifred Dunkley
June 20, 2023
Deepest sympathy from Winifred Dunkley and family. Praying for the family.
Renee Sharlynn Simmons
June 20, 2023
My heart is so heavy as I bid farewell to not only my close childhood friend but "our neighborhood protector". Our mothers were Best of Friends (Audrey and Ismay) and were two of the strongest women in Government Gate who watched over the children and grandchildren in our quiet, peaceful, and family orientated neighborhood. We looked out for each other at play and as we walked to school together. May you join your family as you enter Heaven's Gates and they all welcome you, a True Fighter! Your tireless work has been completed here on earth and your name will go down in the History of Bermuda! I'm so happy I was able to witness your Strength, Courage and Undeniable Warrior Spirit for the People of Bermuda! Always a "Big Brother" to Janet, Norrie and I and Lynn, Flo, Basil, Wendall, Clayton, Irven and Cordell. May you Rest in Eternal Peace, My Brother!
Mrs. Hewlett Simmons & Family
Caral A Wilson ( nee Lee)
June 20, 2023
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Ottiwell Simmons. While residing in Bermuda during 2012 to 2014 I had the pleasure of meeting and enjoying the company of Ottie.
Having left Bermuda in 1970 as a teenager, I was not fully aware of who Ottie was and his stature in Bermuda.
He talked of Dr Ball and the BELCO incidents, but he never talked about himself to any great degree.
To me he was a wonderful friend and we enjoyed each other's company.
Ottie, my dear friend, rest in peace. I will cherish my memories of you.
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results