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SOMERS, N.Y. – Dr. John Simmons died Jan. 26 at his home in Heritage Hills in Somers. He was 88.
Simmons was born April 18, 1924, in Monessen, Pa., to Raymond and Ura "Billie" B. Young Simmons. He graduated from Peoria Central High School in 1941, Dartmouth College in 1944, and New York University College of Medicine in 1948.
He interned at French Hospital in New York City and was a resident physician at Bellevue Hospital from 1950 to 1952. He served in the Air Force Reserve from 1952 to 1954 and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.
Simmons was predeceased by a brother, Raymond Jr.; a sister, Elizabeth; his first wife, Martha Frances "Fran" Simmons, from whom he was divorced; and his second wife, Elissa "Liz" Logan Mayer Simmons.
Simmons worked as a physician for more than 60 years. He was the longest-serving member of Putnam Hospital Center and served as deputy commissioner of public health for Putnam County for 22 years.
He was a member of the American Medical Association, Putnam County Medical Society and American Association of Internal Medicine, which he served as president in 1992.
He skied and played golf until he was 84. He continued to play bridge, garden, cook, read, and write letters to newspaper editors on matters of public concern until a few weeks before his death.
He is survived by four children, Meg Simmons (Erik) Stofsky, of Golden’s Bridge, Mark Simmons, of Binghamton, N.Y., Tim (Susan) Simmons, of Merrimac, Mass., and Wende Simmons Owen, of Gasquet, Calif.; two stepchildren, Tina (James) Kaim, of Yorktown Heights, and David (Sara) Logan, of Newburyport, Mass.; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his close friend and companion, Nancy Leopold. A private memorial service will be held Saturday. Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Putnam Hospital Center or the American Cancer Society.
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