Obituary for Gorden E. Simmons
Gorden Edwin Simmons Sr., 81, of Friendship, passed away peacefully, yet unexpectedly, at his
home on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving
family at the time of his passing.
He was born in Friendship on May 2nd, 1942 to his parents, Clifton (Keek) and Ernestine (Tena)
Simmons. He attended local schools, including Waldoboro High School.
In March of 1964, he enlisted in the Navy and served until his honorable discharge in January
1970. While on leave in April of 1964, he married the love of his life, Barbara Lee Abbott of
Boothbay Harbor.
Gorden was very proud to serve in the Navy and remained a patriot until his passing. He
especially enjoyed having conversations with the younger generation and their experiences,
including James Day and his current service in the Marine Corps.
Following his military service, Gorden worked at the Maine State Prison as a prison guard. He
worked as a local carpenter before embarking on a 29 year career at Bath Iron Works; he was a
very respected and well liked member of the carpenter shop.
On the weekends in his retirement, Gorden would often be found–in his words–“tinkering”
around in his garage on various projects. He enjoyed the local stock car racing scene and spent
endless summer evenings sitting in the bleachers at the Wiscasset Speedway alongside his
trusted wingman, his son, Darren Simmons. As a motorcyclist, he and wife, Barbara, added
many miles on his various Honda Goldwings. He passed this love of motorcycles down to both
of his sons.
A family man, first and foremost, Gorden devoted his life to them with a passion. He loved his
granddaughters, Danika and Kristen Simmons, as if they were his own kids. Gorden and his
wife took the girls on many trips, including the Niagara Falls in Canada and a month-long cross
country roadtrip to Arizona. Gorden and his wife gave them many memories that will last a
lifetime.
He was preceded by his parents, Clifton Simmons and Ernestine Simmons of Friendship; Father and Mother-in-law,Ralph and Mae Abbott of Boothbay Harbor; and brother, Venson Simmons of Friendship.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Barbara Simmons of Friendship; son,
Darren Simmons and his wife, Susan Simmons of Friendship; son, Gorden Jr. and his fiance, Jenny
Pease of Union; brother, Theodore Simmons of Friendship; brother, Douglas Simmons and his
wife, Sheryl Simmons; granddaughters Danika Simmons of Rockland, and Kristen Simmons of
Friendship; great grandchildren, Charlotte and Everett Stanton of Rockland; and various nieces
and nephews.
A graveside service to celebrate Gorden's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 5th at the Harbor Cemetery in Friendship.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com
home on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving
family at the time of his passing.
He was born in Friendship on May 2nd, 1942 to his parents, Clifton (Keek) and Ernestine (Tena)
Simmons. He attended local schools, including Waldoboro High School.
In March of 1964, he enlisted in the Navy and served until his honorable discharge in January
1970. While on leave in April of 1964, he married the love of his life, Barbara Lee Abbott of
Boothbay Harbor.
Gorden was very proud to serve in the Navy and remained a patriot until his passing. He
especially enjoyed having conversations with the younger generation and their experiences,
including James Day and his current service in the Marine Corps.
Following his military service, Gorden worked at the Maine State Prison as a prison guard. He
worked as a local carpenter before embarking on a 29 year career at Bath Iron Works; he was a
very respected and well liked member of the carpenter shop.
On the weekends in his retirement, Gorden would often be found–in his words–“tinkering”
around in his garage on various projects. He enjoyed the local stock car racing scene and spent
endless summer evenings sitting in the bleachers at the Wiscasset Speedway alongside his
trusted wingman, his son, Darren Simmons. As a motorcyclist, he and wife, Barbara, added
many miles on his various Honda Goldwings. He passed this love of motorcycles down to both
of his sons.
A family man, first and foremost, Gorden devoted his life to them with a passion. He loved his
granddaughters, Danika and Kristen Simmons, as if they were his own kids. Gorden and his
wife took the girls on many trips, including the Niagara Falls in Canada and a month-long cross
country roadtrip to Arizona. Gorden and his wife gave them many memories that will last a
lifetime.
He was preceded by his parents, Clifton Simmons and Ernestine Simmons of Friendship; Father and Mother-in-law,Ralph and Mae Abbott of Boothbay Harbor; and brother, Venson Simmons of Friendship.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Barbara Simmons of Friendship; son,
Darren Simmons and his wife, Susan Simmons of Friendship; son, Gorden Jr. and his fiance, Jenny
Pease of Union; brother, Theodore Simmons of Friendship; brother, Douglas Simmons and his
wife, Sheryl Simmons; granddaughters Danika Simmons of Rockland, and Kristen Simmons of
Friendship; great grandchildren, Charlotte and Everett Stanton of Rockland; and various nieces
and nephews.
A graveside service to celebrate Gorden's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 5th at the Harbor Cemetery in Friendship.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com