Walter James Simmons - Obituary

alter J. Simmons, 87, of Annapolis and previously of Cumberland, RI passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018 after a year long struggle from complications of a stroke. Walter was born in Blackstone, MA on September 23, 1930 to the late Walter Albert and Lucy Cullen Simmons. Walter leaves a legacy of a growing and loving family. Throughout his entire life, Walter was always eager to learn new things, meet new people, and go to new places. Married to the love of his life for 60 years, together they started a family that continues to grow to this day. He was an avid photographer and very proud of his days in the photography department at Brown’s Drug Store in Woonsocket, RI in the 1950s. That is where he met his wife, the former Anne Keriaco and always told the story of how one day she waved at him after he’d been admiring her for years allowing him to get the nerve to ask her out, only to find out she was waving at the man behind him. That was the happiest of accidents as she accepted his date and ultimately his proposal of marriage in 1953. They married at Murphy Army Hospital Chapel and began a military life adventure that took them to Cocoa Beach, FL, Edwards Air Force Base, CA, and then back home to New England so their children could know their extended family. Walter continued his passion for photography and videography, documenting everything (literally) from 1953 to 2018. He created a library of all our family films and videos, for which we will be forever grateful. This passion lives on in his children. In his later years, Walter also became extremely versed in computer technology and tackled all things IT easily, often helping his friends out. He mastered Photoshop and Facebook with ease becoming quite a social media legend. His other passion was flying. He loved airplanes and would watch YouTube videos of flying planes all the time. He was a decorated veteran who served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force from 1947 until 1987. He served as an Army medic in the Korean War. He was the shining light in his family’s eyes. On his final day, his only wish was for his family to keep the love going. Walter is survived by his children, Douglas W. Simmons and his wife Anne of Wyoming and daughter, Elizabeth A. Thibodeau and her husband Kevin of Annapolis; grandchildren, Neil D. Simmons and his wife, Leanna, Sophie Eckert and her husband, John, Chelsea Hachey and her husband Alex, and Jackson Thibodeau and his wife Kaitlyn; six great grandchildren, Jaqueline Simmons, Jake Simmons, Benjamin Hachey, Eloise Eckert, Penelope Hachey, and Graham Eckert; a brother David Simmons of Florida, and a sister, Nora Wuraftic of Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers – a memorial contribution to the care manager education fund at Sunrise Senior Living can be made. “Mr. Walter” was lovingly cared for by a team of dedicated care managers who made sure he felt safe, warm, loved, and healthy. They became extended family to him and he noted several times that many of them were in nursing school or in hopes of becoming a nurse. Contributing to this would make him so happy. He was first and foremost a nurse. He was very proud of nursing as a profession. Friends are invited to celebrate Walter's life on Tuesday June 12 at 9 am until a service begins at 9:30 am at the Kalas Funeral Home , 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Interment will follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville. Contributions can be sent to: Sunrise Senior Living 800 Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD 21403 *In Memory of Walter Simmons Condolences may be made by accessing the link on the left side of this page.