David L. Simmons

David L Simmons, 95, a long-time resident of the southside of Binghamton, passed away on August 29, 2023.  Born November 2, 1927 in Coventry, NY to Chauncey Simmons and Louise Vermilya Simmons. He was predeceased by sisters Marie Cleveland, Grace Kiefer and Virginia Zellers.  Growing up during the Depression, he left home during summers starting at age 16 to work on area farms milking cows, driving tractors, haying and harvesting crops. After graduating Harpursville schools, he enlisted in the US Army in 1945 in the 101st Airborne Division and honorably discharged in 1951 having served as Corporal of 701st Military Police Service Battalion stationed in Shanghai, China then the Korean Conflict.

While in Shanghai, he met “the most beautiful woman I ever set eyes on”, his beloved wife Henryka “Rysia” Flecker Simmons, who predeceased him December 1, 2018 after 71 wonderful years together. Rysia and her parents escaped the holocaust in Vienna, Austria by moving to Shanghai in 1931 where they were interned by the Japanese Army. They met at the USO, fell in love and married in China then moved to the Binghamton in 1948. Their adventure began with a delayed honeymoon to Niagara Falls where Dave made a homemade tent out of an Army blanket strewn across a rope tied to two trees, staked to the ground. As the family grew, the camping continued with a pup tent for the boys while the girls slept in the car with Mom; then a cottage-style tent staked into the sand dunes of Cape Cod to a series of travel trailers taking the kids from Maine to Florida during two-week plant shutdowns.  Dave and Rysia shared their love of travel with three cross-country RV trips, also visiting Hawaii, England, Ireland, France, Italy, Japan, Rysia’s birthplace in Austria and celebrated their 50th in China by returning to where they met.

Dave was an attentive, caring Dad to Stephanie (Peter) Romanczuk, David (Dr. Sally) Simmons, Sandra (Rick) Simmons, Lorraine (Gerard) Colistra, Christine (Tom) French, and Mark (Darlene) Simmons.  His earlier work ethic carried over as he juggled six children and their activities while working full-time at GAF-Ozalid in the Coating Dept (retiring after 37 yrs), supplemented by two part-time jobs in order to enjoy the family adventures. He always arrived at his childrens homes ready to attack odd-jobs on their lists. Dave is Papa to 8 treasured grandchildren and Big Papa to 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring Staff at Oxford Veterans Home where Dave spent the last three months, along with Lourdes Dr. Anis, Dr Romani and Jon Gdovin of Lourdes Ortho – who all kept him well and treated him with respect at his ripe young age.   Funeral services will be private.  To forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com.  Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.