Obituary of Francis Skip'' Simmons

Francis “Skip” Simmons, a retired Senior Financial Analyst at Polaroid, passed away with his family at his bedside on Wednesday morning, December 13, 2017. He was 82 years old. Frank was born in Marlborough, the son of Francis and Doris (Blanchette) Simmons. He grew up in Somerville and spent his summers with his grandparents in Marlborough. He always looked forward to working alongside his grandfather who owned a trucking company bringing produce and meats to and from Haymarket in Boston. It was from those days that he developed his strong work ethic and drive. Skip was the class president of St. John’s High School Class of 1952. After his sophomore year at Boston College he was inducted into the Army and served 2 years as a member of the Military Police at Killeen Army Base in Texas. He earned his Sharpshooter and Marksman Badges and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, he went back to Boston College during the day and worked nights at Polaroid as a production clerk to support himself. It took a few years of balancing work and family, but Skip earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College in 1963. It was during those hectic years of college and work, that Frank first met his future wife, Nancy Conley. They met through mutual friends while they were both vacationing in Falmouth. Frank was burning the midnight oil with school and work, so they often met for coffee and sandwiches after school and before he started work at 9 p.m. They married on May 7, 1960 and purchased a home in Burlington to start their family. Frank’s strong work ethic help him move up the ladder at Polaroid. He moved from nights to days. Then he earned numerous promotions as he worked his way up to a Senior Financial Analyst for the Chemical Division. He spent most of his 30 plus years with Polaroid in their Waltham facilities, but also worked in Cambridge and Norwood. Polaroid was like a family to Frank and he enjoyed his co-workers and working for the company until he retired in 1995. Frank made the most of his retirement years. He was an avid gardener and was particularly proud of his rhubarb and heirloom tomatoes. He would spend endless hours tending to his plants and then share much of his harvest with family and friends. His retirement years also gave him the opportunity to travel. He traveled to Germany, England, Portugal, South America, Hawaii, Alaska, Greece, and enjoyed a river boat cruise through Europe. He traveled to Ireland six times visiting Nancy's family. Because he had visited so often, the locals started to confuse who was the real Irishman, Skip or his wife! He had more time to enjoy cooking, and his Chinese cuisine, chili, Irish bread, and steak dishes were his family’s favorites. He loved all sorts of musical genres, but he was particularly fond of Irish, Country (old school!) and Fado. He could often be heard singing tunes such as “Zippety Doo Dah”, “Black Velvet Band” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” He was a huge Patriots fan and enjoyed watching the games on his big screen tv. Family was important to Skip and in later years he helped care for his parents, sister, and brother-in-law. He loved dogs and picked up his beloved Sam the day after he and Nancy moved into their first home! He was so heartbroken when Sam died 15 years later that he never got another dog. Over the years though he welcomed grand-dogs Samantha, Maggie, Jake, Lucky and Casey into his home and was always willing to dog-sit at his home or yours. Skip was extremely proud to be the father of four daughters. From the day they were born they were the light of his life. His involvement in their lives helped to shape them into the women they are today. Skip loved the men his daughters married. He enjoyed spending time with his “sons”, whether watching a football game with a beer or sitting at the dining room table with a glass of wine after a great meal. Skip, as Grampy, thoroughly embraced the role of grandfather and truly enjoyed spending time with his nine grandchildren. Frank was first diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago and he did his best to fight the disease while continuing to do the things he loved such as spending time with his family and traveling. He maintained his sense of humor throughout his illness, and he was always appreciative of the care he received. He was a gentleman to the end. Frank was the beloved husband of Nancy (Conley) Simmons. They were married for 57 family-filled years. He was the loving father of Linda Simmons & her husband Bill Menosky of Hamden, CT, Laura Jones & her husband Ged of Ashburnham, Loretta Choiniere & her husband Bernie of Hudson, NH and Loraine Simmons of Burlington. He was the proud grandfather of Kate & Kurt Menosky, Emma, Nicola & Peter Jones, Chantal Tamburino and Rachelle, Marielle & Joelle Choiniere. He recently became a great grandfather with the birth of Makenna Menosky. He was predeceased by his siblings, Jacqueline MacDonald and Richard Simmons. He was the brother-in-law of Mary Simmons of Arlington, Pauline & Horst Schmoock of Weymouth and the late Thomas MacDonald and John & Geraldine Conley. Frank was also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews & their families. The family is grateful for the care and support Skip received through Care Dimensions Hospice, Home Instead, the staff at the Center for Cancer Care at Winchester Hospital, and the volunteers from American Cancer Society. In particular Skip looked forward to seeing his oncologist Dr. Yalamarti, and visits from his hospice nurse Corey Chandler of Care Dimensions. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 11:30 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 5-8 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Skip’s name may be made to People Helping People, PO Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.