Robert SIMMS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SIMMS: It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Robert Ray Simms on September 22, 2014 at the age of 80 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Joyce, his brothers George (Evelyn), Clarence (Arlene), Lyle (Stella), sisters Edith (Rod) Graham, Ruth (Lorne) MacDonald and sisters-in-law Shirley Prus, Bev (Peter) Haliuk, and Betty Simms. He also leaves behind 26 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Edna (Kelly), his brother-in-law Bob Prus, and his nephew Curtis Haliuk. Ray was born in Crawford Park on May 26, 1934. When he was in Junior High, his family moved to Foxwarren where he met and married his teenage sweetheart, Joyce Bamford, in 1955. Ray taught school for 37 years beginning his career in Darlingford, Neepawa, St.Vital and eventually Birtle where both he and Joyce taught for the remainder of their careers. Ray loved sports and coached many High School teams. It made him very happy to have many of his students visit him in his recent stay in hospital. It always made him smile when his nurse was one of his former students. He was a superb athlete and has many trophies to show for it. He played hockey, he loved to curl and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame three times. He also golfed and had four holes-in-one! He received several awards in recognition of his dedication, sportsmanship and long time service. Another passion of Ray’s was hunting. He especially liked moose and elk and could cook up the best roast around. Ray came from a very musical background and his nieces and nephews fondly remember the sing-alongs at the family gatherings where Ray played the guitar, the ukulele or banjo. He had a great singing voice and not only sang in many choirs but he also sang solos. Ray always liked to be busy. He spent countless hours grooming the baseball diamonds, mending hockey gloves or volunteering on various committees. Ray and Joyce moved to Lion’s Manor in Brandon in 1996. He became known for his ability to fix just about anything and enjoyed working in the shop in their building. He will be missed by the Lion’s Manor Residents for his countless acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. He was quick to help out in any way he could and many people could depend on him to come to the rescue when something needed to be fixed or when they needed a helping hand. He was always such a gentleman and his warm and generous spirit touched the lives of many. A funeral service will be held at Foxwarren Community Chapel on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Donations in memory of Ray may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation “Lung Health Clinic”, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada, Suite 208, 1311 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2P3.Arrangements in care of Redpath Funeral Home Melita, MB. (204) 522-3361, Neil Redpath and Kurt Ardron - Funeral Directors. To send condolences to the family, please visit: www.redpathfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 01, 2014