Henry B. Simm

Westfield-Henry B. Simm, 85, formerly of New Britain, CT and Miami, FL, died on February 14, 2009 after a five years struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Easthampton, MA one of eight children of the late Peter and Valeria (Zawacki) Szymanowicz and grew up in Northampton. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1951, he became a teacher of History and English. He earned his Masters in Education at Springfield College in 1961 and became one of the first generation of school guidance counselors. For most of the 1960’s, he worked as a school guidance counselor in the Westfield Public Schools. He also became a member of the first generation of school psychologists in the American public school system and was a school psychologist for Avon, CT public schools from which he retired after twenty years of service. In 1992, he retired to Miami, FL where he enjoyed his days at the beach reading his favorite historical biographies and in his spare time he assisted many elderly neighbors. A staunch Democrat, he volunteered at the election polls in Miami. He was a member of the National Education Association and the Toastmasters Club of America. He was an avid history buff and was a lifelong Red Sox fan. He leaves a son, Peter A. Simm and his partner, Theodore A. Brown of Bridgewater, MA; his former wife and caregiver, Frances Simm Bogan of Westfield; a sister-in-law, Betty Simmons of Greenfield, widow of Henry’s beloved brother, Joseph who passed away in 2000, his last remaining sibling; four nieces: Sara Campbell of Erving, MA, Ellen Lamb of Keene, NH Debbi Kempton-Smith of New York, NY, and Valerie Shepherd of Austin, TX; one nephew, Phillip Szymanowicz of Burlington, MA; seven great-nephews and two great-nieces. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC is entrusted with arrangements. In Henry’s honor, memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.