FRIENDSHIP — Brian Simmons, of Friendship, Maine passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 6:30 a.m., at Mount Joseph Hospital in Waterville, Maine after a brief illness.

Born on July 21, 1943, to Esther Lorraine Simmons, who was still living with her parents Lester Orrin Simmons and Alice Effie Simmons, he stayed in the house with his grandparents while his mother, who worked full time, lived down the road with her husband, Donald Carter. Brian would visit and spend nights there whenever he wanted, growing up in a loving environment with essentially 4 parents. Brian experienced a traumatic birth and was not expected to survive. His friends would joke that no one at that time could have known how stubborn he was. His first bed was a pine casket that his grandfather made, keeping him near the gas stove for warmth.

Brian attended Friendship Village School, and graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1962, which went on to become A. D. Gray Junior High in later years. He said he always hated school, and back then his grandparents didn’t have a phone and he would make sure he got the mail. He would talk of ripping up school papers while looking his teachers in the eye and throwing them away if he did not want to do them. He was kind to everyone around him but would not back down from a bully.

Brian was usually protective of his younger sister, Doreen (Carter) Mank, but once ran over her with his bicycle by accident, breaking her leg, and this was published in the local newspaper. Brian married Barbara Lee Rhodes from Rockport, on April 25, 1963 at the tender age of 19, and their daughter Kim was born in 1966. His little brother Preston Carter would often come to the apartment they rented over Archie Wallace’s Market and visit. Brian grew up in the Lobstering industry, never having a sternman and always lobstering all by himself.

He went out to haul with his grandfather as a small boy, and as soon as he could row a skiff, he hauled his own traps by hand. He spent summers on Benner Island with his grandparents and was allowed to row his skiff over to Port Clyde General Store at 9 years old to buy ice cream. Once against his grandmother's advice, he swam between Benner and Allen Island. 

When his grandparents could no longer care for themselves, Brian, Barbara and daughter Kim moved back into the house he was raised in to care for them in 1970. Brian lived there for the rest of his life. Brian was a volunteer fireman at the Friendship Fire Department for decades, as he liked to help out people in his community.

In later years, he met the love of his life, Kay Masse, who lived in Waldoboro. He had asked his daughter, Kim, to “look on the computer and find a woman” for him. Kim searched online personals in 1999 and found Kay, who was a well-educated, cultured lady who worked as a Nurse and had many hobbies. She wrote a message to Kay describing Brian, and they met at Moody’s Diner and according to Kay, it was love at first sight. Over the 2 decades of their relationship, she and Brian worked on numerous projects, including home renovations and building furniture. She once convinced Brian, a notorious homebody, to take a trip with her to California. He socialized with the hotel owner, and proudly told him “You will never see me again!” because he was already homesick.

Brian retired from Lobstering at age 70 and spent the next decade helping his neighbors with yard work, clearing land, cutting trees and firewood, and working with his lifelong friend Blaine Davis on Burnt Island. He loved using his chainsaw and said his ideal day was cutting down a tree. As much as he loved cutting wood, he also loved burning a good brush pile.

Brian was always known for his sense of humor and ability to get lost in conversation while shopping at Archie Wallace’s Market or spending an afternoon at Barnes Garage socializing with Scott and the others who joined him.

He and Kay had two chihuahuas, Peppy and Chiquita, who he continued to care for after Kay’s passing until he could no longer care for them last year when he became ill. He was a very devoted dog daddy, and carried a bag of their toys and necessities whenever he took them anywhere, and was meticulous about feeding them as per their veterinarian’s orders. He made the choice in their best interest to give them to a wonderful home when he could no longer provide the best care for them.

Brian took his grandchildren, Hayley K.E. St. Pierre and Sebastian Brian Grant (“Skip”), out to haul with him when they were old enough. Sebastian was too young to enjoy it, but Hayley absolutely loved it. 

He proudly kept a photo of her driving his boat on his bureau in his room. He attended both grandchildren’s graduations with his partner, Kay.

Brian was a meticulous record keeper, maintaining perfectly preserved ledgers of lobster prices dating back to his youth, as well as Friendship town documents pre-dating his birth. He proudly showed friends and family photographs that his grandmother Alice kept, some on tin, of family history that were perfectly preserved.

He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly (Simmons) Topaz; his granddaughter, Hayley K.E. St. Pierre; his grandson, Sebastian “Skip” Brian Grant; his sister, Doreen (Carter) Mank and her husband Paul and their children; and brother Preston Carter and his wife Kim and their children.

Brian’s generosity was repaid many times over by the loving support of his friends and community during his last year when his health declined. Many checked on him daily, including his beloved neighbor Barry Cluff, who loved hearing Brian’s stories and looking at old photos with him. Special thanks to everyone who was there for him in his time of need, including Barry Cluff and his wife Susan; Margaret his neighbor; his loving “step-daughter” Natalie and her husband Jan; Scott McLain and Brad Davis who were like sons to him; Lorraine Lash, Wayne and Diana Benner, Blaine and Viola Davis, and everyone who brought him food and baked goods and provided company. Thank you to the entire Town of Friendship for your kindness and support during his lifetime.

Friends are welcome to join the family for a time of visitation October 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro. 

A service to celebrate Brian's life will be held October 13, at 2 p.m., at Hall Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Harbor Cemetery in Friendship.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PAWS Animal Adoption Center, P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856 or the animal rescue of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home in Waldoboro.

Condolences may be shared with the family at hallfuneralhomes.com