Obituary of Charles Reynard Simmons, Jr.

ILION-FRANKFORT - Charles R. Simmons, Jr. (aka:  Chuck/Charlie),  passed away peacefully on July 1st at St. Luke’s Hospital after a brief illness.  He was the eldest son of Sophie Potaczella and Charles R. Simmons, Sr., born on October 10, 1932.

Charles graduated from Herkimer High School in 1950 and attended Utica College.  He married his high school sweetheart, Marguerite DeGouff, on October 25, 1952.  They were married for 52 years.  Charles served in the United States Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean Conflict.  He served aboard the USS Currituck (AV-7) an aircraft tender.

After his tour of duty in the military, Charles began his employment at General Electric.  He worked at both the Broad Street and French Road plants in Utica, NY, as a Quality Control Engineer for 34 years.

Charles was a member of the American Legion Post 920 in Ilion, a former Boy Scout leader in Frankfort, a baseball coach, outdoorsman and a bowler in both Ilion and Frankfort, as well as a business partner in ABC Ceramic Studio and Marguerite’s Gift Shoppe.

Charles was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marguerite, who passed in November of 2004.

He is survived by his brother, Joseph, of Arizona; his children,  Anne Marie Simmons Schillinger, Christopher Simmons, Colleen Simmons Espinosa and Barbara Simmons.  Charles had seven grandchildren,  Holly Cosgrove, Fred Schillinger, Jr., Darcey Simmons, Charles Schillinger, Sarah Mullen, Nicholas Espinosa and Lindsay Espinosa, as well as two great-grandchildren,  Annabelle Schillinger and William Mullen.  He is survived by his friend,  Mildred Engert, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West St., Ilion, followed by a funeral service at 12 noon.  Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frankfort, next to his beloved wife, Marguerite.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Charles “Charlie”, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.  Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.

The Simmons family have entrusted all service arrangements and supervision to their family Funeral Director and long time friend, Don Applegate.