Charles Warren Simmons

Charles Warren Simmons Jr. of Pepperell, a decorated veteran, a Civil Servant, and an Air Force Reserve retiree, died Thursday, August 29th after a long illness. He was 83 years old.

Charles was born in Boston, MA on June 24th 1930 to Charles W. Simmons Sr. and Beatrice Gray. He grew up in Arlington and graduated from Rindge Tech in Cambridge, MA. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948, and graduated from technical school at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi Mississippi. He served in England during the Berlin Airlift, in the Korean War, and as a pioneer of today's Combat Search and Rescue ground and aircrew with the 5th Air Rescue Squadron on the B-17, Albatross (flying boats), C-47, C-54, and C-119.

He worked for many years at L.G.Hanscom Field as an Air Reserve Technician (ART). On October 28, 1962, he was called up and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was selected as a Quality Control Inspector and went with the unit to Westover AFB. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Senior Master Sergeant with 26 years of service. He then worked as a government Quality Management Branch Chief at the G.E. Engine plant in Lynn. His office conducted buying and testing of engines for Army and Navy Helicopters and the B-1 Lancer bomber. His career ended as an inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration in Burlington after 42 years of government service in 1990.

He was an active participant in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs with his children. He assisted in founding the Pepperell Little League with Mickey Shattuck and was the League's President. He is a longtime communicant with Our Lady of Grace Church in Pepperell.

This beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather is survived by his wife of 62 years Theresa Ann Simmons of Pepperell, his sisters; Clara Tyler of Nahant, Elizabeth Colter of Falmouth, Marion Danehy of Winchester , Margaret Cossette of Stoneham,; his eight children: Thomas W. Simmons of Barrington N.H., Richard A. Simmons of Barrington N.H., Robert F. Simmons of Warner Robins GA, David C. Simmons of Shirley, James E. Simmons of Pepperell, William E. Simmons of Shirley, Cheryl A. Tremblay of Pepperell, Cathleen A. Bustead of Merrimack N.H.; Ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A special thank-you for all our extended family and care givers, may God Bless you and yours.

A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, Tarbell Street, Pepperell. Burial with military honors at St. Joseph Cemetery, Pepperell. The family requests in lieu of flowers that charitable contributions be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island N.Y. 10305.