Our Obituaries

David C. Simmons, III age 70 of Port Jervis, NY passed away January 22, 2019 at home. He was born on July 10, 1948 in Port Jervis, NY the first born son of the late David C. Simmons, Jr. and Kathryn E. Monahan Simmons. David graduated from Port Jervis High School with the class of 1966. He was an ALL DUSO Tackle for the Red Raiders and was named the League’s Defensive Player of the Year. David continued his education at Iowa Wesleyan University where he also played football and wrestled. After graduation from Wesleyan University he returned to Port Jervis and taught sixth grade at the Anna S. Kuhl School with the Port Jervis School District for 33 years until his retirement. He also served as an assistant varsity football coach for 33 years and as head wrestling coach from 1989 to 2007. He posted a dual meet record of 157 and 98 with 4 National Conference Regular Season Championships and four National Tournament Championships. He was instrumental in numerous OCL and 28 Section 9 Championships teams, 13 NewYork State Tournament Place Winners and one State Champion. Ten of his wrestlers reached the 100 career win mark. In the year 2001 his team finished 2nd at the New York State Wrestling Championships. David remained involved for many years with the wrestling program as a scorekeeper and “unofficial advisor”. During his 33 years he was a faithful Assistant Football Coach under Joe Viglione and then under Bob Corvino. During that time he was part of 23 Port Jervis Football Championships. In addition to his teaching and coaching careers Dave worked with the City of Port Jervis Recreation Program for more than 20 years. David was inducted to the Coaches Wall Of Fame in 2014. He was an active member of the Port Jervis Fire Dept., Delaware Engine Co. #2 since 1970. David is survived by his loving and dear wife Carol-Lynn Eccleston Simmons and his pet dog “Buddy" at home, his beloved daughter, Tracy-Lynn Drew and her husband J.R. of Port Jervis, his best friends and beloved grandsons, Jordan Taylor Drew and Justin Michael Drew, whom he idolized. He is also survived by his brother Timothy J. Simmons and his wife Linda of Port Jervis, his sister-in-law Carla Simmons of Port Jervis, several cousins, nieces and nephews including his special niece Kim Wortman and her husband Rick, Ryan and Matthew Simmons and his great nephew Eric and his great niece Ashley, his brothers-in-law Alan Eccleston and his wife Colleen, Craig Eccleston, Richard Eccleston, and his sister-in-law Diane Dawson. He was pre-deceased by his brother Dennis Simmons in 2016. A family statement read, “ David was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and coach. He was strict but fair in his teaching career and in life. His grandsons adored him and he was devoted to them. They respected his opinion and advice and will miss him terribly. He was loved by the young men he coached for 33 years. They knew they could turn to him for guidance with their lives and always sought out the best in them. He was a wonderful father to Tracy and she will miss him everyday. I know I have lost my best friend who was always on my side and who was always there for me no matter what life brought us. I will love and miss him the rest of my life.” Visitation will be held 3-9 PM Friday, January 25th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, Jan. 26th at the funeral home with The Rev. Canon David Lee Carlson officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. David and Carol wanted people to remember "always be loving and kind to all animals, teach this to your children, it starts at home.” Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.