DENNIS W. SIMMONS
April 6, 1951 - August 22, 2016
Port Jervis, NY
Dennis W. Simmons, age 65, of Port Jervis, NY passed away Monday, August 22, 2016 at home. He was born on April 6, 1951 in Port Jervis the son of David C. Simmons, Jr. and Kathryn E. Monahan Simmons.
Dennis worked as a Acting Deputy Superintendent Reception Classification/Senior Correction Counselor for the NYS Dept. of Corrections at Otisville, NY. Dennis graduated from Port Jervis High School with the class of 1969. He was a member of the ALL-DUSO Football Sports Writers Team 1967, 1968; the ALL-DUSO Football Coaches Team 1967, 1968 and football player of the year in 1968 DUSO Coaches Team and Sports Writers Team; President of the Varsity Club 1968-69; He was Football Player of the Year 1968-Area 845 Team, and Captain of the 1968 PJHS Football Team; He was the DUSO League Wrestling Champion 1968 & 1969; Dennis attended USMA from July 1, 1969 - February 22, 1971. He was a member of the West Point Class of 1973. He graduated from SUNY Excelsior College in 1981 earning his BS in General Studies.
Dennis served 24 years with the NY Air National Guard as a Senior Master Sergeant and Air Freight Superintendant at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. His various Military Commendations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Medal with Gold Border, the Outstanding Unit Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with 2 Bronze Star Attachments. He was deployed to the Middle East from 2003-2004 in support of Iraqi Freedom-Enduring Freedom. He was one of three SNCO's and three officers to run Cargo and Passenger operation for the largest US Airport in AOR. When he left he was commended by the Commander for putting the operation four months ahead of schedule.
Dennis's civic accomplishments included 13 years of coaching the Port Jervis High School Football Team; coaching four years of Port Jervis Modified Wrestling; Life member and Past Commander of the Roosa-Fleming VF W Post #161, Port Jervis; Member and Past Commander of the James C. Bilz American Legion Post #685; Coordinator of the Charles G. Croopin Memorial Scholarship; 43 year member of the Port Jervis Fire Dept; 42 year member of the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645; member and Eucharistic Minister of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis; 4th Degree member of the Port Jervis Knights of Columbus, Council #471; member of Division 4, Ancient Order of the Hibernians; Aide to Grand Marshall-Mid Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade, 2015; Life member of the Viet Nam Veterans of America; member of the Iraqi Afghanistan Veterans Assoc; member of the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight and he enabled over 400 World War II veterans to fly to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II memorial; member of the Port Jervis Chamber of Commerce; member of the Neversink Valley Area Museum and Minisink Valley Area Museum; member of the Port Jervis Republican Committee, member of the Orange County Republican Executive Committee; past member of Congresswoman Sue Kelly Veterans Advisory Committee and Congresswoman Nan Hayworth Veterans Advisory Committee; past Councilman Port Jervis Common Council and Chairman of the West End Park Committee, enabling the celebration of 9/11 Ceremony in the park on September 11, 2002. He was Orange County Legislator, District 13 representing Deerpark, Port Jervis, and Mount Hope, he was appointed Commissioner of Jurors for Orange County; he was admitted to the Port Jervis High School Hall of Fame Class of 2014; Dennis held a General Class License with the Ham Radio Operators, call sign K2OKL.
Dennis's strong patriotism and love of community, was certainly demonstrated as he dedicated his life to serve and protect others. Dennis took great pleasure and pride in coaching the young men of Port Jervis hoping to not only teach them about football and make them strong players, but about life and being good citizens.
He married Carla M. Irwin Simmons who survives at home. Dennis is also survived by his daughter, Kimberly Wortman and her husband, Rick of Vestal, NY; his brothers: David Simmons and his wife, Carol of Port Jervis, Daniel Simmons and his wife, Molly of Ft. Myers, Florida, Timothy Simmons and his wife, Linda of Port Jervis; two grandchildren, Ashley and Erick Wortman, several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, August 25 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Knights of Columbus will conduct services at 8 p.m. Firematic services will be held Thurs. evening at 8:30 p.m. Prayers will be offered 9 a..m., Friday, August 26 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow with military honors at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis.
Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in Dennis’s name to the Hudson Valley Honor Flight, ATTN: Donations, PO. Box 375, Walden, NY 12586. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.
