Frederick J Simm

ASHLAND – Frederick J. Simm, 85, died August 30, 2016.

Fred was born on December 20, 1930 in West Roxbury, the eldest child of Fred and Mary Amy (Hallam) Simm, who had emigrated from England. From a young age, Fred would take apart his mother's appliances and fix them. He graduated from Roslindale High School and joined the United States Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Virginia where he taught machine repair to soldiers. For more than 25 years Fred ran the repair department at the former Dennison Manufacturing Company in Framingham.

He married his beloved wife of 64 years, Evelyn N. (Anderson) Simm, before his military assignment. Fred loved Virginia, later naming his first daughter after the state, and promised they would one day retire there. After he finished his military stint in Virginia, they lived in Natick, Hopkinton, and again in Natick for about 25 years, where they raised their five children. He and his wife then moved to Virginia Beach, where they resided for about 25 years, enjoying the beach and summer activities on the waterfront, along with ballroom dance, woodworking, playing pool, and scrabble games with friends. The couple moved to Ashland a year ago.

Fred was known for his sense of humor, determination, strong work ethic, and of course, his ability to fix anything, a skill that often had his children, even as adults, calling for his advice. He believed in helping others, volunteering with REACT to phone in emergency situations and also with the Red Cross to teach CPR. With his rare blood type, Fred also donated gallons of blood over the years, earning a Red Cross pin.

He is survived by the love of his life, Evelyn. He was the devoted father of Russell Simm and his wife Phyllis of Holliston, Virginia Baer and her husband Thomas of Holliston, Lawrence Simm and his wife Marilyn of Jackman, ME, Shirley Simm of East Haven, CT, Gale Batsimm and her husband Michael of Andover; loving brother of David Simm and his wife Karen of Westfield; cherished grandfather of Debbie, Kim, Ryan and his wife Alicia, Susan, Sabrina, Matthew and his wife Sarah, Sarah, Connor, Gavin, Jaynia; proud great-grandfather of Brock. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Johnson Patalena, and his grandchildren Robert and Sherri.

At Fred's request, funeral services and interment will be private.