Glenn Simmonds

Glenn Richard Simmonds, 82, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2017, after a courageous battle with metastatic bone cancer.

He was born on September 26, 1935, the son of R. Roy and Phoebe Simmonds. Glenn was a lifelong resident of Duluth, Minnesota – growing up in the Hunters Park area, and eventually settling down in Woodland, where he lived for almost 50 years with the love of his life, Bonnie.

Glenn graduated from Duluth East High School in 1953 and attended UMD. He held a number of odd jobs, including construction, road maintenance and long shoring. While attending UMD, he assisted the Resident Construction Inspector and when the University transferred his boss to Minneapolis, Glenn was promoted and held that position until 1983, when he was given a choice to transfer to Minneapolis or become the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor for UMD, which he chose and kept, until retirement in 1997.

Anyone who knew Glenn knows he was a generous soul and was always willing to lend a hand. He gave of his time and talent to many organizations, including help with meal prep at Union Gospel Mission; as a Coach for the Duluth Special Olympics Powerlifting Team; and as a Volunteer Reading Partner at Grant School. He was an active member and volunteer at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church (serving in many roles). He was also instrumental in creating and maintaining the Glen Avon Memorial Garden.

Golf was Glenn’s post-retirement “day job.” He would claim to not be very good but he did score two holes-in-one. He was also actively involved in the Duluth Masonic Lodge. And, many weekends were spent building, maintaining and enjoying the Simmonds family cabin.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; parents, R. Roy and Phoebe Simmonds; sister, Grace Lonsway; brother, Robert Simmonds; and niece, Jennifer Taylor.

Glenn is survived by children, Colleen Davis of Denver, Colorado, Martin Simmonds of Duluth, Minnesota, Carolyn (Jay) Hanson of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Cynthia (John) Badger of Cloquet, Minnesota; grandchildren, Morgan, Sarah and Ryan Badger, and Aaron and Connor Davis; and brother, Bruce (Barbara) Simmonds of Duluth, Minnesota. In addition, he is survived by several nieces and nephews.

VISITATION: 11 a.m. until the noon memorial service, Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave., Duluth MN 55803.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Glen Avon Memorials, Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave., Duluth MN 55803 (http://glenavonchurch.org/). Or, Union Gospel Mission Duluth, 219 E 1st St., Duluth, MN 55802 (http://duluth-ugm.org/).

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, (218) 727-3555. To express condolences online, visit: http://doughertyfuneralduluth.com.