Lawrence E. Simmons

LITTLE FALLS - Lawrence (Larry) E. Simmons of Little Falls NY joined his one and only true love Dolores in Heaven on November 20th, 2024.

Larry was born on August 15th, 1942, to Harold Simmons and Cora Wildermuth Simmons in Schenectady NY. He was raised on 5th Street in Scotia NY. Larry first displayed his hard work ethic with the largest paper route in Scotia which he continued until his graduation from Scotia-Glenville Schools.

After graduation, he attended Paul Smith’s College and graduated with a degree in Forestry. It was during this time that he met his one and only love, Dolores Deay, on a blind date. They quickly became inseparable. Larry would hitchhike over 150 miles back and forth from Paul Smith’s College every weekend to be with Dolores. Larry and Dolores were married April 20th, 1963.

He started his career working for New York State until he began working for his father-in-law at Deay’s Aluminum Siding where he was responsible for building hundreds of houses throughout the Capital District. He then followed his dream to be a dairy farmer. He got a “quick course” in farming from his cousin, Mort Dykeman, and then purchased his family farm on Route 170 in Little Falls in 1977. Despite the naysayers and health challenges, his work ethic and stubbornness led him to become a well-respected dairy farmer. He took pride in being told he was, “a hell of a cow man, the best I’ve ever seen.”

Larry loved farming and every aspect of it: from bailing hay, chopping corn, to milking cows. He also trucked cattle in his down time. Larry also enjoyed hunting and especially fishing throughout his life, but his greatest enjoyment was his family.

He is survived by his three children Michael Simmons and friend Holly Luther of Little Falls, NY, Daniel Simmons (Suzanne) of Marcy NY, Wendy Bramer (Todd) of Little Falls NY. His twelve grandchildren: Matthew Simmons, Megan Simmons, Peyton Simmons, Jesse Simmons, Olivia Simmons, Declan Simmons, Cian Simmons, Erica Congdon, Samantha Carlock, Scott Congdon, Adam Congdon, and Tyler Bramer. His thirteen great-grandchildren Isabella Simmons, Jacob Simmons, Dorian Hamilton, Finley Hamilton, Wyatt Forbes, Lilly Forbes, Cayson Carlock, Keegan Carlock, Makenna Carlock, Aydin Congdon, Willow Congdon, Luana Congdon, and James Congdon, his best friend, his Old English Sheepdog, Willie, who was always by his side, all of whom he cherished beyond words. He is predeceased by his soulmate, Dolores Simmons, his parents, his sister Grace Gerding, brother-in-law Erv Gerding, his in-laws William and Katy Deay, sister-in-law Jacqueline Sprague, and great-grandson, Phoenix Congdon.

Larry spent his adult life facing health challenges and enduring chronic pain which he never complained about. If asked how he was doing, he would reply, “fantastic!” To know him was to love him. Larry made friends with everyone he met along the way. Just days before his passing, he said, “I hope to make it to Spring, but if I don’t, it was a wild ride.”

There are no public calling hours, at Larry’s request, and a Celebration of Life and Mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made in Larrys name to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

God bless, Dad, rest in peace.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com .