In Remembrance: Bernard J. Simmons ’47 Died on March 6 2014

Bernard J. Simmons, of Fairfield, Connecticut, died March 6, 2014, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport. He was 92 years old. “Bernie,” as he was known to all, was an almost lifelong resident of the Bridgeport area.

Bernie graduated from Central High School in 1938 at age sixteen and a half. As a youngster he worked for his father's business at New York Auto. 

He attended the University of Bridgeport for two years before the outbreak of World War II, enlisting in the US Navy on December 8, 1941—the day after Pearl Harbor.  He started Navy life as an enlisted man, but was later selected for Officer Training School and left Navy service as a lieutenant JG. He met his wife, Lia, while in Brazil during the war. He loved the country which had given his family so much opportunity and was very proud of his Navy service.  After the war's end, Bernie returned to Yale University, where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1947.

Bernie established a career in publishing telephone directories and advertising publications, working for R.H. Donnelley from 1952 until retirement in 1986, and then for Kaiser Publications and later as a consultant. 

He was a longtime member of the Bridgeport Jewish Community Center, and was chosen as Man of the Year in 1996 by the Honorable Menschen. He was the president of the Loyalty Lodge for more than ten years and worked as a volunteer with the Jewish Family Services of Southern Connecticut.

He was buried on March 9 with full military honors.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lia; his son, Luiz Simmons; his daughter-in-law, Claire; his daughter, Jaynie Simmons-Taylor (Scott); his son-in-law, Scott Taylor; his grandson Joshua; his granddaughter Rachel; his great-granddaughter, Estee; his brother, Richard Simmons; his sister, Rhoda Mazur; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

His was a life richly lived and he will be missed by all who knew him.

—Submitted by the family.