Ralph C. “Buddy” Simonds III, died February, 10, 2012 at the Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill after years of coping with lung disease.Born in Haverhill, he was raised in Groveland, the son of the late, Ralph C. Simonds Jr, and Agnes M. (Kennedy). He attended public school and was a Graduate of Haverhill Trade School, Class of 1960.Buddy began his career as a machinist with United Shoe Machinery in Beverly. He joined the Groveland Fire Department as a volunteer and later became full time with the Haverhill Fire Department on July 4, 1971. He would spend the next twenty-four years, serving the citizens of Haverhill, retiring as Lieutenant in 1995. As most fireman, Buddy had a second career as a paint and wallpaper contractor. Active in the A.A. program, he was proud to be a friend of Bill W. for thirty-one years. For recreation Buddy enjoyed golfing, he had a great sense of humor, and loved spending time with his family.He leaves his beloved wife, Kathleen M. (Bryant) Simonds, of Atkinson, NH, two sons, Brian M. Simonds, of Groveland, and Shawn P. Simonds, of Haverhill, two daughters, Lynn Quintiliani, of Haverhill, and Kim Johnston, of Haverhill, three step daughters, Stacey L. Henry and her husband, David, of Methuen, Bridgette M. Stewart, of Plaistow, and Lisa M. Stewart, of Derry, 14 grandchildren, Keith Ciaburri, Cole, Brooke, and Austin Simonds, Adriana and Anthony Quintiliani, Courtney Johnston, Gavin and Luke Henry, Alexis, Hunter, Sabrina, Christian, and Izayah Stewart, two brothers Michael E. and his wife, Kathryn (Brent) Simonds, of Haverhill, Peter Simonds, and his wife Debbie, of Sandown, four sisters, Bette A. Gorski, of Groveland, Michelle Pankauski, of Salisbury, Patricia J., and Colleen A. Simonds, both of Haverhill, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his twin brother, Edward Robert “Bobby” Simonds, and brothers in law, Barry Gorski, and Bruce Pankauski, and sister in law, Jean (Brindle) Simonds.Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Wednesday, from 5 until 8 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 AM in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Atkinson Cemetery, Atkinson, NH. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Haverhill Firefighters Relief Association, 75 Kenoza Ave. Haverhill, MA 01830, or the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Rd. #400, Waltham, MA, 02451.
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