Matthew Roy Simmons

ROCKPORT - Matthew Roy Simmons passed away Aug. 8, 2010, at his summer cottage on North Haven, from a heart attack. Matt grew up in Layton, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1965 and received a Master in Business Administration degree with distinction from Harvard in 1967. He started an investment bank/advisory firm in Boston, whose early clients were oil services companies. In 1974 he was a founder of a firm that later became Simmons & Co. International. Matt retired from the firm as chairman emeritus in 2007, and went on to establish the Ocean Energy Institute, aiming to help supplant the world's fossil fuel reserves with energy from our oceans. With his passing, the energy industry loses one of its greatest fans, and one of its sharpest and brightest critics. Over time, his contribution to the world's largest industry will be legendary and not remembered for any one issue, idea, position or accomplishment. His work was always marked with direction, purpose and excitement. He gave his time and resources generously to many non-profit organizations, reflecting his diverse interests. He was a trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Farnsworth Museum, Rockland; the Island Institute, Rockland; National Trust for Historic Preservation; and had served as president of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association. He also served on the boards of the Alley Theatre, Houston; the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Foundation Board of Visitors, Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences, and was past chairman of the National Ocean Industry Association. He was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Atlantic Council of the United States and the National Petroleum Council. Matt was the loving husband of Ellen Lougee Simmons; and the adoring and proud father of five daughters, Wheeler, Abigail, Emma, Winifred and Lydia. He is also survived by one son-in-law, Millen Griffith VI; his brothers, L. E., Harris and David; and his sisters, Julie Simmons Watkins and Liza Simmons Hoke and their families. Services will be held in Rockport and Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Matthew R. Simmons to the Ocean Energy Research Institute, 91 Camden St., Suite 401, Rockland, ME 04841 or online at www.ocean energy.org. To read a full obituary, please visit obituaries at www.bchfh.com.