HOPE — Frederick E. Simmons, 81, died peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home, July 20, 2013, after an extended illness.

Born in Friendship June 23, 1932, he was the son of Clayton E. and Mary Swain Simmons. At an early age, he moved to Southport, where he was raised until moving to Rockland as a young teen.

He attended Rockland High School and having left school before graduating, in 1975, was pleased to graduate from Georges Valley High School.

Fred was employed at National Sea Products in Rockland, until enlisting in the United States Navy in 1951.

For two years, he served in Newport, R.I., as a coxswain aboard a 42-foot torpedo retriever. The next two years until his discharge in 1955, he served aboard the U.S.S. Northampton.

Returning to civilian life, Fred worked at various jobs until beginning employment with Eastern Auto Supply. He later worked with Bragg's Auto/Industrial Supply's Rockland store for more than 25 years, until the closing of that store in the late 1990s.

Fred married Margaret L. McCollum June 5, 1969, in Thomaston.

Deer hunting and reading were favorite pastimes for Fred. For many years, with his wife, Fred was an active member of the Maine Buckskin Horse Association, serving two years as president.

He was a longtime active member of Alocoholics Annonymous, and this year celebrated 35 years of sobriety. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2499 in Rockland, and was a member of Pilgrim Community Church in Camden.

Fred was pre-deceased by his brother, Charles "Herb" Swain. Besides his wife, Margaret, of Hope; he is survived by two sons, Michael F. Simmons of Hope and Scott W. Simmons and his wife, Kella River, of Thomaston; one sister, Barbara Baker of Seligman, Ariz.; one granddaughter, Riley E. Simmons of Rockland; three step-grandchildren, Katherine McCue, Maia McCue and Michael McCue, all of Thomaston; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. The Rev. Robyn Honaker will officiate.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Pilgrim Community Church, P.O. Box 176, Warren, ME 04864.

To share a memory or condolence with the Fred's family, visit his Book of Memories online at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins.