Carl Simmons

April 9, 1954 - February 21, 2021

Brief is life, but love is long

Carl Gerard Simmons was born in the urban capital of the world, Harlem USA on April 9, 1954 to George L. Simmons and Carrie H. Simmons. Carl was their first-born child and only son. Growing up, Carl developed an affinity for music at an early age. He attended PS. 125 Elementary School, then JHS 43. His hard-working parents invested in his musical talent by finding the best piano teachers they could afford. This investment proved to give a great return when Carl was invited to play a concerto at Carnegie Hall at 14 years old.

Carl also discovered his love for travel and photography soon after. While attending The Dalton School, he joined a student abroad group to Haiti. He learned of an exchange summer camp counselor position in Sweden. He packed his bags and left 125th Street to spend a summer in wanderlust; learning a new culture and language. Carl graduated Dalton HS and entered Boston University to major in Soviet and Eastern European Studies. Always a step ahead of his peers and colleagues, he showed great achievement in college. During Carl’s final year at Boston U., he landed his first job in the travel industry with Garber Travel, then Trans World Airlines. TWA’s slogan was, “You’re Going to Like Us” and that he did. The Boston office relocated to NYC and Carl returned with TWA. After TWA folded, Carl entered the world of Executive and Luxury Travel with Stevens Travel Management in 1984.

He met his soulmate Tom in 1988, also a professional in the travel business. When Tzell Travel Leaders acquired Stevens in 2008, Carl became an independent contractor as Global Connexions LLC. He had built an illustrious clientele over the years. Carl worked hard and played equally as hard. He cultivated many lasting friendships with colleagues and clients.

Travel, music, language, photography, good cuisine, laughter, excellent work and self-determination define Carl Simmons. For several years, he made his home in Brooklyn NY. Around 2001 he moved to Astoria, NY and enjoyed the myriad of cuisines and cultures of this diverse neighborhood. Carl travelled the world, visited great cities and country sides, stayed in the most luxurious hotels and photographed it all!— yet he was a family man. Carl loved visiting family on birthdays and especially the holidays when our eclectic cuisine flowed between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. In later years he slowed down somewhat to enjoy quiet weekends with Tom (between their extensive travel schedules) watching movies and resting. He created his own good life. Through his years, he faced obstacles, avoided confrontation and accepted challenges. He had the spirit of a griot, the character of a gentleman and the wit of a comedian. To know Carl was to love Carl. His vibrant soul, caring nature and adventurous spirit were his strengths.

Carl is survived by his two sisters, Gisele Simmons and Robin Simmons; a nephew, Ahmed Saunders, his niece, Andrea Saunders and his grand-nephew, Isaiah Saunders Carrion. Carl leaves his life-partner of 32 years, Thomas Moncho and the brother from another mother, Kerry Saunders. Carl is survived by his aunt Annabel Boyd, cousins Moses and his wife Ann, Clara, Ernest Groves, Edna Hinton and Rosabel Talbird. He leaves more cousins living in Texas and South Carolina: Ronald Jenkins, his son Jordan, Carolyn and Sherral Reid, Sonia Yates and their children. We will miss Carl with every fiber of our being. He will live on in our hearts and memories.