On January 16, 2021, Gil Carl Simonds, loving husband and father of two sons died at 75. Gil was born to Helen and Carl Simonds on October 23, 1945 in Watertown, New York. He spent his early years in Sackets Harbor, New York where his parents operated an ice cream manufacturing business. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he graduated with high honors from Emory University with a B.A. in Psychology in 1967 before marrying Sandra Saggus in Decatur, Georgia in 1974.
Gil devoted his entire career to the insurance industry. He worked at Aetna Life & Casualty, where he met his wife Sandy, and then Pritchard & Jerden in Atlanta before founding his own business in 1993 to consult to independent insurance agencies. Through his work Gil built friendships and found meaning in teaching, challenging, and encouraging those he served.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Gil was an active member of Northwest Presbyterian Church and served as a Stephen Minister for over 10 years to comfort grieving families. Gentle yet passionate, Gil demonstrated his Christian faith through word and action. His dedication to nurturing and guiding others was rooted in his faith. He cared deeply for the lives and spiritual health of his family and friends, once leading his family to read the Bible in a year. Fellowship with his men’s Bible Study was especially important to him.
Gil loved sunshine and was awed by God’s creation. He was most energized when coaching or watching sports, his great passions aside from faith and family. One of the great joys of his life was coaching both sons in baseball and basketball and even when not coaching, he almost never missed a practice or game. Long after his sons graduated from Pace Academy, Gil could be found in the stands of Pace basketball games cheering on the Knights.
Mr. Simonds is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sandra Simonds; his two sons, Cam Simonds (Sara), Matt Simonds (Kadie); grandchildren, Lily and Tommy; and sisters, Cheryl Walker (David) and Marion Mitchell (Brian), and many beloved niece, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephew.
A memorial service was held at Northwest Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
Young Life of Northwest Atlanta, P.O. Box 724731, Atlanta, GA 31139
In Touch Ministries, P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357
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