Robert “Bob” Simms of South Paris, Maine, (formerly of Natick, Mass) died peacefully on Saturday, January 22, 2011 following a long battle with lung cancer & heart issues. He was 83 years old. Robert was the beloved husband of the late Olive Simms. They had celebrated 60 years of marriage on February 4, 2010, prior to her passing in June of 2010.
He leaves two daughters, Rebecca M. Dowse of South Paris, Maine, and Valerie A. Chase and her husband, Thomas E. Chase, Jr. of Gilford, New Hampshire; a sister, Cora Arsenault of Bath, Maine; three grandchildren: Jennifer Curran of Tampa, Florida; Elizabeth Chase of Atlanta, Georgia, and Thomas R. Chase of Killingworth, Connecticut, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters.
Robert was born and raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He graduated from Wellesley High School in 1945. From there he attended Wentworth Institute before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he was recruited by the U.S. Army for the new Army Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He specialized in the repair of radial engines used by B-29 bombers. For many years he worked as an automobile mechanic for Sears, Roebuck and Company in Natick.
His favorite pastimes included carpentry, fishing, camping, hunting, and reading. He was an avid reader, often reading two to three books a week after retiring from Sears. He loved working with wood, making model ships and birdhouses. He was well-known for the doll houses he made for local nursing homes’ holiday fairs when he wasn’t watching the Red Sox or Patriots games.
His daughters have many fond memories of their camping trips to Maine, especially to Sebago Lake State Park. Bob’s favorite hunting trips were to New Hampshire and Maine for white-tailed deer.
Calling hours will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, January 28, 2011, at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Rd (Off Rte 30), Wayland.
Burial will be at the Dell Park Cemetery in Natick, on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 11:30 am with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, or a charity of the donor's choice.
For on-line condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.