Stephen Ray Simmons

Stephen's Celebration of Life Service will be held on November 08, 2025 at 3:30 pm at the First Universalist Society of Franklin (FUSF) located at 282 Chestnut Street Franklin, MA 02038. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Stephen Ray Simmons, 77, passed away on May 28, 2025 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, due to complications of renal carcinoma. Stephen, born September 12, 1947 in Saint Joseph, Missouri, was the son of the late Everett Clarence Simmons and Betty Jewel (Scott) Simmons. Steve graduated from Benton HS in1965 and studied electronic engineering at the UEI (United Electronic Institute) of Des Moines, Iowa. Steve served in the US Air Force completing a tour of active duty in Vietnam in 1971 and was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver Colorado. Steve took advantage of the G.I. bill and earned his BS degree in business from City College of Denver. Steve’s employment took him around the world working for Westinghouse radar systems in Zweibrucken Germany, Laurel MD, Fairbanks AL, Niagara Falls NY, and Victorville CA. He also worked for Cutler Hammer and then the Rocky Mountain News in Denver CO. While living in Franklin and Medway, MA he was employed by Lockwood Co of Woburn and Becton Dickinson (BD) medical ophthalmology department in Waltham, MA before retiring to Banner Elk, North Carolina. Steve had been married to Scarlet Magdanz Simmons. In 1999 he married Nancy Liberis Albertini. Steve was a man with many friends and interests. He was an accomplished card player, and was a tournament player of cribbage. He loved traveling, fishing, cycling, football, (Go Broncos!!!), the St Louis Cardinals, NASCAR, hiking in Colorado and hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In 2010 at 62 years of age, he took up running and became obsessed with running along the beaches at Pine Point and Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He entered many road races in North Carolina, Maine and Colorado. He was thrilled when he entered and ran races with his daughter, Laura and his grandchildren Ben Albertini and Delainey Harris. He was most proud that he always completed every race he entered, including three half marathons, and he twice successfully ran “The Bear“, a foot race to the top of Grandfather Mountain in Linville, North Carolina reaching an elevation of over 5,200’. One of Steve’s greatest passions was his 1969 TR 250 Triumph that he lovingly restored to mint condition. He was very proud of the numerous ribbons and plaques it won for first place in its class. He was a member of several clubs and organizations including the FUSF church in Franklin, MA, Catawba Valley British Motor Club in NC, the BE Chamber of Commerce, the Williams YMCA of Avery county, and was a steady supporter of the Ensemble Stage of Banner Elk. Steve was an active volunteer at the trailhead at Grandfather Mountain in Linville, North Carolina. Steve was funny and his word play (his worms) was his most witty, comical choice to communicate. He was kind, so very generous, and loving, especially to his wife, Nancy, his daughter Laura, his stepson, Jon and their families. Besides his parents, Steve was predeceased by infant twin siblings, Durinda Sue and Donald Scott, his brother Russell David, and his sister, Ruth. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Liberis Albertini), his daughter, Laura Ann Harris and her husband Matthew of Denver, Colorado, his stepson, Jonathan Robert Albertini and his wife, Susan of Freeport Maine; four grandchildren, Norah and Benjamin Albertini, Delainey and Jack Harris; one sister, Beth Ann Green of St Joseph, MO, his brothers-in-law, Thomas Liberis and wife Mary, William Liberis and his wife Marilyn, and his sister in-law, Judith McManus; and his and Nancy’s many beloved nieces, nephews, and grand nieces, and nephews. There will be a private celebration of life for his beloved ASH family members (Albertini, Simmons, Harris) in October. Steve never suspected that he had and would die of cancer. But he often ran, cycled, donated and raised money to cure cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS). If you are moved to make a memorial donation in his name, please do so. American Cancer Society: www.donate.cancer.org Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: https://donate.nationalmssociety.org FALL DOWN AS THE RAIN by Joe Crookston - 2004 When my life is over and I have gone away I'm gonna leave this big ol' world and the trouble and the pain If I get to Heaven, I will not stay I'll turn myself around again and fall down as the rain When I finally reach the ground, I'll soak into the sod l'Il turn myself around again, come up as goldenrod Come up as goldenrod, come up as goldenrod Turn myself around again, come up as goldenrod Then when I turn dry and brown, I'll lay me down to rest I'll turn myself around again, as part of an eagle's nest Part of an eagle's nest, part of an eagle's nest Turn myself around again, as part of an eagle's nest When that eagle learns to fly, I'll flutter from that tree l'Il turn myself around again, as part of the mystery Part of the mystery, part of the mystery Turn myself around again, as part of the mystery When my life is over and I have gone away I'm gonna leave this big ol' world and the trouble and the pain If I get to Heaven, I will not stay l'Ill turn myself around again and fall down as the rain

Stephen Ray Simmons

September 12, 1947 - May 28, 2025