Roy Simmons

Born and raised in Rosebank, he graduated from New Dorp High School.

Mr. Simmons earned his bachelor's degree from St. John's University, Grymes Hill.

He had worked for many years as a quality control officer for Hansome Energy Systems in Linden, N.J.

After he and Christine Cook were married, they lived in New Brighton, Travis and Dongan Hills before relocating to Old Bridge, N.J., in 2004. Mr. Simmons settled in Jackson a year ago to be closer to his daughter.

He was an outstanding guitarist and played every kind of music imaginable, his family said, but rock music was his favorite. He also taught guitar and repaired instruments.

Mr. Simmons was very outgoing and happy-go-lucky, and had many friends. A real people person, he could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, family said.

He was devoted to his family and will be missed, they added.

Christine, his wife of 20 years, died in 2014.

Surviving are his daughter, Kim Cataldo; his brothers, Michael and Drew, and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's R.C. Church, both Dongan Hills. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.