FARMINGDALE — Maurice Louis "Lou" Simmons, 82, died March 5, 2016, at the Captain Lewis Residence in Farmingdale. He was born in Friendship on May 26, 1933, to Maurice Calvin and Edna Simmons.

He lived on Friendship Long Island year-round until he was 7, and then moved to the mainland for school. He spent summers on the island, lobstering alongside his father and grandfather, often rowing his dory to pull 100 traps. As a teenager, he was hired as a chauffeur for Harry Thompson, the son of the Moxie founder, who had a summer place on Friendship Long Island.

Through this job, he traveled throughout New England and developed a desire to see the world. He graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1951 as valedictorian, and then joined the Air Force, working as an electrician and electronics instructor.

While stationed at Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, he met Gloria Williams, the love of his life, and they were married May 1, 1953. In March 1958, they had their son, Patrick, soon followed by their daughter, Terri, in February 1959. Lou and Gloria spent 20 years in the Air Force, traveling the country and spending two years in the Philippines. Lou spent a year away from the family during the Vietnam War when he was stationed in Thailand.

In 1973 Lou retired from the Air Force and returned to Maine, working as an electrician at Bath Iron Works until he retired in 1991. They lived for a few years in Richmond before returning to Waldoboro to be closer to Friendship Long Island.

Lou and Gloria were regulars for years at Moody's Diner, a tradition that continued after Gloria died.

Lou loved his house on Friendship Long Island, and his boat, and he spent many wonderful summer days there with his whole family. He enjoyed helping to restore the house, going on boat rides, fishing and playing games with his family, especially horseshoes and croquet. He especially enjoyed spending time with his cousins, Carl and Lanny, talking about old times growing up on the island.

Always having a love of technology, Lou had one of the first personal computers in the state, spending many hours doing genealogy, talking to friends and playing games. He loved to read and was rarely seen without his pipe, and loved a good joke. He traveled to Texas many times, and took a trip to the Grand Canyon and Phoenix with Gloria, Terri and Terri's family that he greatly enjoyed.

Lou was predeceased by his parents; and his wife, Gloria in 2012. He is survived by his children, Pat and Tami Simmons of Bowdoinham, and Terri and Paul Petroulis of Richmond; his grandchildren, Amber Simmons of Topsham, Nick and Sarah Petroulis of Ellsworth, Ana Whittaker of Bath, Alexandra Petroulis of Somerville, Mass., Summer and Norman Knight of Portland, Sunshine Anders of Port Lucie, Fla., Cory Grover of Dorchester, Mass., India and Dan Gregware of South Carolina; and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Linden and his wife, Peggy Simmons, of Wiscasset; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks to the staff of the Captain Lewis Residence in Farmingdale for their loving care, and to Dr. Nate Harmon for his wonderful medical care.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. with a celebration of Lou's life at 2 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 949 Main St. in Waldoboro. A reception will follow at the home of Mark Wallace and Shelley Pease on Route 220 in Waldoboro.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Lou's name to the Friendship Museum, P.O. Box 226, 1 Martin Point Road, Friendship, ME 04547.

Hall Funeral Home and Tribute Center of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.