The Reverend Richard A. Simmons

 
Let us remember with memories the life and ministry of Rev. Richard A. Simmons who died peacefully, surrounded by his family, Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Masonicare Hospice in Wallingford, CT.
 
Richard was born in Downingtown, PA on April 16, 1931, the son of the late Howard Simmons and Edith Norris Simmons. He was a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ.
 
He began his parish ministry in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference serving Arch Street Church in Philadelphia, Gap Church in Gap and Lancaster Avenue Church in Lancaster. Richard moved to the New York East Conference in 1960 serving churches in Waterbury and Babylon. From 1966 until his retirement in 1997, he served the Yalesville United Methodist Church.
 
Among many attributes, he will be remembered for his love of family, books, music, and poetry. He enjoyed reading, the seashore, and the Boston Red Sox. A man of great, but quiet, dignity, he would try to help anyone in need.
 
He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 59 year; his daughter, Laura Simmons Merola; and his son, Daniel R. Simmons, all of Wallingford; his two grandchildren, Vincent Richard Merola, of Wallingford and Emily Merola Volpe and her husband, Brian, of Massachusetts; his sister, Dorothy Ezard, of Lancaster, PA; his sisters-in-law Jackie Haught and Phyllis Bloom; several nieces and nephews; and his great-granddog, Anakin.
 
His family will receive relatives and friends at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St Ext, Wallingford, CT on Friday, May 20, from 5pm to 7pm. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, at 2pm at the Yalesville United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.wallingfordfh.com.
 
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Rev. Richard A. Simmons may be sent to the Wallingford Public Library, 200 North Main St, Wallingford, CT 06492; Yalesville United Methodist Church, 8 New Place St, Yalesville, CT 06492; Master's Manna, 46 North Plains Industrial Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492, or Wallingford Emergency Shelter, 123 Quinnipiac St, PO Box 1747, Wallingford, CT 06492.