Denis Mortimore Simmons

Strong to the end, his heart beat gallantly on, but an infected kidney stone would not relent to rounds of antibiotics and like the old man’s friend, nature was allowed to take its course.

Brave through many life challenges and stoic to the end he was a profound influence on us all (his children), we will miss his humour, his wit, his stories of his youth, especially the submarine times, his presence.

Denis was born in Torquay, Devon England to Lucy Evelyn and Mortimore, however, it was the Bowden family who raised him from a young age.

He spoke lovingly of his mother Amy (Frederick), brothers Cecil (Florence) & Stephen (Margaret) Gratitude to his nieces Peggy (Roy) and Jean (Michael.) of Devon and wife Jean’s cousin Derek of South Hampton who always kept in touch in later years.

The last of the WW 2 veterans, Denis’ adventurous and courageous spirit had him signing up with the British Navy at a young age in 1943 and later to be a submariner.

They brought supplies as merchant marines and also laid communication cable between England and France.

Of his many stories, twice their vessel was hit. The first caused damage only, but later the second hit by a German U boat sunk The Monarch in the English Channel.

As Denis and all the men were fleeing to the life rafts at the muster station, he heard banging, and stopped to open a hatch which freed men who were trapped inside.

Denis would recount this storey, not to boast, but in true fashion with that mischievous smile, would simply say, “they didn’t even say thank you.”

One would wonder how many times those men recounted their storey about the man who took time to help.

Denis is predeceased by his wife Jean (nee Hingston) of 67 years of marriage and 71 years friends. (d.July/2017)

They met in their home town of Torquay, around the end of WW2.

Around 1948 Jean’s brother-in-law wished to raise the family back home in Vancouver.

Jean & her brother Lewis, (who Den became close with), accompanied their sister to help with her two young daughters. They crossed the Atlantic by ship and then a Vancouver bound train.

Not long after, Denis traveled by ship aboard the Queen Mary and then worked his way across Canada to the West Coast.

Jean and Denis wed on February 24,1950.

They began their family with Lesley (Del), then twin girls Kathleen (Ernst), Denise/Neisa (John), and sons Clayton (Arlene), and Colin.

Later, more of Jean’s family including her parents Lew and Nell immigrated to Canada and all settled in North vancouver.

Denis and Jean’s six grandchildren Brian, Nathan, Kirsten, Meghan, Sean and Devon shared time and adventures with their grandparents.

There are 5 great grandchildren, Kayla (Colin), Evangeline, Cash, Ethan and Luna,

and 4 great great grands, Aiden, Tatiana, Arriana & Saige.

Among the many occupations Denis did to raise his family, being a Realtor was his favourite.

This is attested by great old home movies of trips to Palm Desert California conventions, and reels of fun beach picnics, pool time, vacations and great family gatherings.

Denis and Jean enjoyed the simple fun pleasures in life. They danced. Oh how they danced!

In retirement, they enjoyed outings in their little boat motoring around the waters of Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island. They also loved to take their RV to many lovely places in BC, the USA and one time, across Canada to PEI and back.

Known to never stand down and to tell it like it is, Denis could be formidable if necessary and sometimes cranky, especially if one was late or he got talking about politics, but mostly he was seen as a person that made you smile. A “jolly fellow” his doctor once said recently.

In later years, Denis was even more outgoing and loved to chat with anyone.

Before he moved to his last home at Inglewood Care Centre, he was known to be the resident fixer of TV cable, computer problems, and willing to help with just about anything.

He loved to repair and refurbish all the small handheld appliances, and radios that went back to the Hospital auxiliary thrift store where Jean volunteered in Sidney and North Vancouver..

His indomitable spirit kept him trying to make the best in life despite his grief after Jean’s passing. He tried to find another Jean but it was not meant to be.

Our appreciation to Sharon B. his long distant phone buddy who was always there to listen and share some laughs. It was good therapy through that hard time.

Beloved wife Jean had a little saying up on their fridge:

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

That was Denis M. Simmons:

A good man, a decent human being and a dedicated husband & father.

The family extends their gratitude to all the wonderful caregivers & staff from Vancouver Coastal Health, CedarView Lodge, Inglewood Care Centre, HandyDart drivers and the great help from Davie Pharmacy staff with assistive and mobility aids.

We are especially grateful for the extraordinary good service from the Veterans, the medical staff at Lions Gate Hospital and the outstanding end of life care at North Shore Hospice.