Kenneth Simmons

Kenneth Godfrey Simmons, 77, passed away peacefully on January 9th with his wife by his side. The son of the late George and Edna (Godfrey) Simmons, Ken was the beloved husband of Bernice (DaRosa) Simmons.

Ken was raised in Warwick, the third of six children. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island, where he also met Bernice. He went on to become a skilled stonemason and loving father of three. Ken was an avid reader who also enjoyed being active and being outdoors. He loved games of all kinds, photography, poetry, and sports. You would often find Ken on the side of a soccer field, rooting for his children, then later his grandchildren.

Ken will be remembered for his kind, good-spirited nature. Even in the face of illness, Ken was not one to complain, and remained positive with his familiar, mischievous smile. He was also a prankster and never passed up the chance to tell a good ghost story, or a "Kenny and Del" tale! His legacy will be his fatherhood, the many friendships he nurtured over the years, and above all his loving, enduring marriage to Bernice.

In addition to his wife, Ken leaves behind his children, Rebecca DeMetrick and her husband Stephen of Wakefield, Jesse Simmons and his wife Lorraine of Charlestown, and Jacob Simmons and his partner Naoko Hama of Brooklyn, NY. He is survived by nine grandchildren: Anna, Jack, Lillie and Charlie DeMetrick, Eva, Ashley and Eiley Simmons, and Reiko and Izumi Simmons. Ken was the brother of Deborah Aldrich (Geoffrey), Martha Miller (Garry), Susan Beauchemin (Michael), Amy Marseglia (Robert), and the late Steven Simmons (Nancy). He leaves many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed.

Calling hours will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31st, from 10-11am at Church of the Ascension, 370 Main St., Wakefield, RI, in the parish hall, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life/Requiem Eucharist at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Charlestown Land Trust.