Dennis Simms

After a year of health struggles, Dennis passed peacefully on August 18, 2015, with his daughter, granddaughter Maeve and the daughter of his heart, Robyn Fulton by his side. Dennis is survived by his daughter Kelly Cosgriffe (Christopher), his beloved granddaughters Maeve and Moira, his brother William and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents the late William and Mabel (nee Markham), his wife Myrna and his brothers Bernard, John Terrance and Anthony. Dennis was born in Fulham, London, England. He was educated at the Cardinal Vaughan School and upon graduation was awarded a full academic scholarship to Cambridge University. At the age of sixteen, when he was supposed to register for university, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force. He served for the remainder of the war as a Navigator on Lancaster bombers. In 1953, he boarded the Queen Mary for New York. He came to Toronto to spend some time with relatives, never making it to his planned destination of Australia. He worked for the T. Eaton Co. Limited, while earning his B.A from the University of Toronto and eventually joined the Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada (now Desjardins Financial), where he became Vice-President of Individual Insurance Systems. Dennis retired in 1991, thereafter, devoting his time to Kelly and Myrna, particularly after Myrna’s double lung transplant. A more devoted “papa” to “his girls” Maeve and “Mo” there could not have been. He was a gentle man and a gentleman. The family wishes to offer their immense thanks to the staff of the North York General Hospital Palliative Care department and of Thompson House for their wonderful care in Dennis’ last weeks.

Friends may call at the Trull "North Toronto" Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge Street (5 blocks south of Lawrence – 416-488-1101) on Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 from 5-8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 24th, 2015 in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (24 Cheritan Avenue) at 11:30 am. A private cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers donations to the North York General Palliative Care Department would be appreciated by the family.