NOVEMBER 29, 1926 – SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dennis Simmons. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and friend to many. Husband to Julia, Father to Lori Clewlow (Rob), Step-father to Sandi Vandermolen (Nick) and Grandfather to Rena Weme (Curtis), Shayla Melin (Richard), Meranda Verhnjak (Rod), Jason Samson (Nomi) and 13 great-grandchildren. Dennis was born in Cudham, Kent on November 29, 1926 the only child of Reginald and Elizabeth Simmons (nee Horton) moving to Tenterden, Kent when he was just six years old.
As a young teenager in the Second World War, he worked as an equipment operator at an Air Force Base in Southern England. In his early twenties he worked as a Chauffeur by day for Lord Millar, who was an Accountant for Satchwell Thermostats and in the evenings he took an electronics course prior to his immigration to Canada in 1955. Once in Canada he began his own business, Pacific Transistor and was co-owner of D&K Electronics. In the early 1970’s, Dennis was in the Auxiliary Police in Vancouver and also did some private investigative work for Bill Lines, a Policeman friend. He moved to Vancouver Island in 1982 and continued in his same field as D&C Satellite.
Along with his work, he started the COPS (Citizen’s On Patrol) program in Qualicum which he was involved in for 8 years and also the Speedwatch program for almost 10 years where he earned himself the nickname “Dennis The Menace” from those who were caught in his speed traps. Dennis was also a member of the Rotary Club for over 40 years as well as a Mason since 1986. He loved the ocean and owned numerous boats in his lifetime spending much of his free time enjoying fishing and just being on the water.
Thank you to all of Dennis’s friends who were so supportive of him; Kurt and Lisa Zurbuchen (Lisa’s wonderful shrimp dishes that Dennis loved), Mike and Pat Bull, Tom Palmer, Dolina Winger and Mike and Liz for Dennis’s favourite Borscht soup, just to name a few. We would also like to say a special thank you to the “Coffee Boys”, Michael Bachynski (Liz), Gerry Caille (Debbie), Michael Proctor, Rodney Luck (Millie) and Barry Ellis (Marcella) who met for coffee with Dennis every morning 7 days a week.
A service will be held at the Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum at 1:00 p.m. on October the 1st, 2011 and all are welcome to attend. We would like to request that in lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Rotary Club of Qualicum or a charity of your choice.