Obituary of Ralph Simmons

Ralph William Simmons 91, of Bridgewater, passed away peacefully September 2, 2002 in the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater. Born on October 7, 1910 in Halifax, he was the son of the late William F. and Eva M. (Pickering) Simmons. He is survived by his sons William “Bill” (Lynda), BraeShore; and Barrie (Wendy), Bridgewater; grandchildren Krista, Colin, Peter (Melinda) and Lynne; great-grandchildren Taylor, Robyne, and Jaxson. Ralph was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Catherine (Corkum), brother Roy and sister Ethel (Irvine). He owned a operated LaHave Auto Service (Simmons Motors) until his retirement in 1977. Former Town Councillor, Honorary Member of Bridgewater Fire Department and Bridgewater Curling Club. Past President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association of Canada and also held a seat on the General Motors Presidents’ Advisory Council of North America. Actively involved in sports, he was a member of the Bridgewater High School Provincial Baseball, Hockey and Track Championship Teams. Competitor in several provincial marathons and was the Maritime Quarter Mile Champion in the early 1930’s in Truro. Member of Bridgewater Curling Club Provincial Teams, three years junior, twice on senior teams, and three times on the British Consols Team, which represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Brier. Past President of the Bridgewater Curling Club and served for two years as the president of the Nova Scotia Branch of the Royal Canadian Curling Association. Elected to membership of the Governor Generals Curling Club of Canada in 1980. Inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in October 1995. He was a member of the Maritime Seniors Golf Association until 2001. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him, and remembered as a gentlemen's’ gentleman. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation at the funeral home, by request. A memorial service will be held at Bridgewater United Church on September 5, 2002 at 2 p.m., Rev. Ivan Norton officiating, with a reception to follow. Interment of ashes in the Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater. No flowers by request. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, South Shore Regional Hospital, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. On line condolences, www.sweenysfuneralhome.com