Obituary: Robert W. "Bob" Simonds, Former Superintendent of Public Works

Obituary from Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.

Robert W. “Bob” Simonds, a lifelong resident of Woburn, passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice Home, Saturday morning, December 13th. The beloved husband of Anne (Davis) Simonds, he was eighty years of age.

Born in Woburn, he was one of eight children born to the late George E. and Mildred E. (Toomey) Simonds. Raised in the South End of Woburn, he attended St. Charles Elementary School and then to Woburn High School where he graduated with the Class of 1951.

Following high school Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving his country proudly during the Korean War. As an Aircraft Technician he had earned the rank of Sergeant. Upon Bob’s return home he began working for his hometown in the Engineering Department. Bob continued his education during this time, where he received degrees from both Merrimack College and Wentworth Institute in Civil Engineering. Bob entered the private sector from 1961 through 1969 in engineering. During this time he also met the true love of his life, Anne Davis, whom he married in 1965. On their journey together they brought into their world a son, Andrew, to whom they were absolutely devoted.

Bob returned to Woburn in 1969 as the Highway Foreman; three years later he became the General Public Works Foreman, in 1976 he was appointed Deputy Superintendent, and in 1982 he succeeded Allie Wall as the Superintendent of Public Works until February of 1999 when he retired. Throughout all those years Bob’s tenure was one of sensibility, frugality, hard work, and great integrity. Many of the basic principles he developed and espoused with conviction and have remained useful and important over the years.

Time spent with his family was valuable time. Anne and Andrew were the center of his life. Seabrook in the summer, school and college events and adventures, he so enjoyed. When just five years ago he became “Grampy” to two beautiful grandchildren, that was just a wonderful gift to both he and Anne.

Bob and Anne had the good fortune of being able to travel, and they did! There was their yearly pilgrimage to Barbados, which they did for decades, and cruises, cruises and a few more cruises, as they so enjoyed being on or near the ocean and when they could, they did!

Bob gave back a lot to the city he so loved and cared about. All throughout his years he was an active member of the Woburn Kiwanis. Through his efforts the “Terrific Kid” program came into existence, of which he was so proud. Twice a year he and several other brothers from the Kiwanis ventured to Ashby. It was there that all the gentleman brought their area of expertise, knowledge, and muscle, building camp houses and bridges, cutting trees, adding to and/or fixing the plumbing, and putting in additional pumps where needed. You name it, they would do it, twice a year so as the 4H camp was always the best. Bob was also an active member on the Winning Farm Board, again helping out local charities and institutions who benefit from their generosity.

Bob was a past president of the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association and a member of the Mass. Highway and N.B.M. Highway Associations. He was also a member of the American, New England, and Mass. Water Words Associations, the N.E. Water Environment Federation, and Woburn’s First Mass. Water Resource Advisory Board member. In addition to Kiwanis, he was a member of several private service and fraternal organizations.

Family, faith and friends were three significant pieces to Bob’s life. The strength in being friends with all his brothers, sister, nieces and nephews has been a wonderful blessing throughout the years. From the card playing, individual and group conversations and discussions to joining in all of the family holidays, milestones, triumphs and tragedies they have all remained devoted to each other. They embellished the wonderful treasure of friendship and family.

Bob lived a life that was full, and left a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who had the honour and pleasure of knowing him as a brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Bob was sadly predeceased by his brother, Thomas Simonds, and his brother-in-law, Daniel Hogan.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Anne; his son, Andrew Simonds and his wife Colleen of Woburn; his siblings, George E. Simonds and his wife Helen of Woburn, Ronald P. Simonds and his partner Raoul Ajamil of Woburn, James E. Simonds and his wife Judy of Kennebunk, ME, Ann Hogan, Jean Courtney and her husband Bill, and Sister Nancy Simonds SND, all of Woburn; his sister-in-law, Jean Simonds of Woburn; and his grandchildren, Joseph and Shannon Simonds of Woburn; as well as many loving nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street Woburn, Tuesday, December 16th at 11 a.m. Calling hours will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m prior to the Mass in St. Charles Church. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Rememberances may be made in Robert’s memory to the charity of one’s choice or Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 351 Broadway St., Everett, MA, 02149. Professional Services are under the direction of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.