Christopher J. Simmons III

Christopher J. Simmons III, 78, of 63 Black Point Lane, Portsmouth, RI, died peacefully on Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Constance (DeCotis) Simmons. Born in Newport, RI on October 10, 1931, he was the son of the late Christopher J. and Pauline (Higgins) Simmons. Mr. Simmons had attended West Point and the University of Rhode Island. He was a Veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean War, and was awarded the Purple Heart. Christopher worked as a supervisor in accounting for Bank of America while briefly living in Burbank, CA. For many years, he was the accounting supervisor at the Naval Supply Center at the Newport Navy Base. He later worked as the accounting manager for JT O'Connell in Middletown. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Simmons served as the Sexton at St. Mary's Church in Newport. He volunteered his time as a Boy Scout Leader and as Cub Master in Newport. He was a member of the Newport Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society at St. Mary's Church, and the Newport Lions Club. While living in Portsmouth for the last thirty years, Mr. Simmons was a Communicant of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth. Besides his wife of over fifty years, he is survived by two sons Anthony P. Simmons and his wife Ann of Fall River, MA, and Andrew J. Simmons of Portsmouth, RI, a daughter Sheila L. Holmes of Portsmouth, RI, a brother Daniel Simmons and his wife Charlotte of Deltona, FL, three grandchildren Candy Scurio and her husband Bill of Fall River, MA, Jessica Holmes of Portsmouth, RI, and Robert Holmes of Portsmouth, RI and three great grandchildren Billy, Jelisa, and Angelina Scurio of Fall River, MA, and a brother in law Eugene DeCotis of Portsmouth, RI. He was also the father of the late Christopher Simmons, and brother of the late Dorothy O'Sullivan and Susan Walsh. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 9:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2010 from 4:00-7:00 pm in the Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society of Rhode Island, 931 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 3004, Warwick, RI, 02886