NORWICH – Richard Alvin Simmons was born on Jan. 3, 1933, to Clarence and Louella (Brown) Simmons in Norwich, New York. Richard passed from this life into the next on Friday, June 24, 2011.
He attended Chenango Forks Elementary School, Norwich Junior High, and Norwich High School. Dick “Monk” Simmons graduated in 1950 from Norwich High School where he was a three sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. 
Dick worked on the O&W (Ontario and Western) Railroad, and also the Delaware Lackawanna Railroad from 1949-1952 in Norwich.
In the Spring of 1952, “Monk” earned a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers Minor League Organization. He was “signed on” to pitch and play outfield for the Valdosta Dodgers in the Georgia-Florida League.
He married the love of his life, Antoinette Rotundo on November 15, 1952. Soon after, Dick entered the United States Army and served as a firefighter in the Korean War. He served as Engineer in the KComZ Fire Department from 1952-1954. Stationed in Tague, Korea, Dick was able to continue playing baseball and by that time had switched his position to catcher. It was at a point in late August of 1954 that Dick took his team to the Final game of the Base Tournament where his KComZ Unit would go on to win the team Championship. During that two year stint his service team had compiled a record of 39 wins and only 13 loses.
After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Dick settled down in Norwich to work at the Norwich Shoe Company. He was a devoted employee while working most of the 39 years as a floor foreman. Dick remained at Norwich Shoe in that capacity (1955-1994) until retirement.
Dick was a devoted husband and father. He is predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Louella Simmons, and two brothers, Thomas and Barry Simmons. He is survived by his wife, Antoinette (Rotundo) Simmons of 58 years of marriage, eldest son, Richard M. and wife, Mary Pat of Bethlehem, and younger son, Guy M. and his wife, Debra of Whitefield. Surviving grandchildren are Aurelia (Simmons) Davidson and her husband, Christopher Davidson, and great grandchildren Deke and Cora Davidson. Christa (Simmons) Beniash and her husband, Michael Beniash, Jessica Simmons, Alexandra Simmons, and Michaela Simmons, Peter DeMars, Ilana DeMars, John Campanelli, and Justine Reisch.
Dick is also survived by a sister Sharleen (Simmons) Gould, and her husband Don of Albuquerque, NM, and a brother Clarence Simmons of Homosasa, Florida.  
Dick also leaves numerous relatives and great friends, both in his hometown of Norwich, where at the Caboose Diner, tall stories were told about baseball, food, and fishin’. And those of the surrounding area of Littleton, NH will remember Dick having political talks over lunch at the Senior Center, or visiting with him on the porch of the Lane House. He was known as a “hard worker” and spent many days performing duties and tasks for Stewart Properties.
Dick was a God fearing man. He believed the Bible truths therein to be the Word of God. He was a member of the St. Johnsbury Seventh Day Adventist Church located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
A memorial service will be held at the Lane House in Littleton, NH at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 1. A reception will follow the service. 
Donations in his memory may be made to the North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency, 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH 03561. A commemorative  T- shirt designed by his sons, will be available at “Littleton Athletic,” where the proceeds will also be donated.