Reverend Thomas Maxwell Simms, of Victoria, British Columbia, peacefully passed away on May 13, 2017, with Marion, his loving wife by his side, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Tom was born on January 27, 1936, in Buchans, NL, to Hayward Chesley Simms and Eileen Mary Josephine (Basha). Tom grew up in Buchans and attended Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, where he met the love of his life, Marion Hicks. Tom graduated from Pine Hill Divinity Hall in 1965, becoming a minister of the United Church of Canada.
Tom married Marion on August 26, 1957. They lived in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia as Tom answered God’s call. Behind his twinkling eyes, jokes and sense of fun, lay his deep belief in the presence of God. He could find God’s beauty everywhere, especially in nature.
Tom enjoyed p
laying hockey and skiing in his younger days and no pin was left standing in his bowling years. Tom is the reason that the fish tremble in all the ponds, brooks and lakes across this beautiful country. Tom played a wicked hand of Bridge. Who can forget the “Three no trump,” being thrown around the table?
Tom enjoyed watching Blue Jays baseball; he was a fan to his very core. Tom also enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of his cabin by the shores of Red Indian Lake where he would challenge himself in learning to paint, write and memorize poetry.
Left to carry on Tom’s happy legacy are his children, Susan of Chelsea, QC, Jon (Leanne Robb) of Victoria, BC, Christopher (Jodylynn Welsh) of Victoria, BC, and Thomasine (James Marjerrison) of Buchans, NL; nine grandchildren, Andrew, Tyh (Sarah Skrzek), Julia (Ryan Nielson), Alexander (Samantha Thompson), Colbran, Roxanne, Russell, Stephen and Wesley, one great-grandchild, Lily, his brother Hayward (Josephine), his two sisters, Elizabeth (Don Slater), and Lorraine (Doug Parry) and many nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Joan and Helen; and two brothers, Robert and Griffen.
The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. A special mention is also made to Dr. Christopher Galanos and to Dr. Richard Mildenberger for their for kindness and excellent care over the years. Many thanks as well to the staff and residents at The Wellesley, who made Tom’s final years so meaningful and joyful.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 2 p.m. in the Magnolia Room at The Wellesley, 2800 
Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC. A memorial service will follow in Buchans, NL on Saturday, July 29 at 11 am, where Tom’s ashes will be laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the United Church of Canada Mission and Service Fund, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or you may also do an unexpected act of kindness to someone of your choosing in Tom’s honour.
“This world is not conclusion, a sequel stands beyond, invisible, as music, but positive, as sound…” – Emily Dickinson
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
18 Responses
Dear Susan and family,
Our sympathies in the loss of your beloved father. May you find comfort knowing his suffering is over. May the good memories bring you laughter and joy.
You are in our prayers.
Nancy and Paul Landry
Deepest Sympathy to Josephine and Hayward and the Simms Family.Thinking about you at this difficult time.Prayers going your way..God Bless..
To: Thomasine and James and the Simms Family
So sorry to hear of your dads passing.
Buchans has lost a true Buccaneer.
Hold your memories in your hearts.
Glenda and I are thinking of you.
Gerald Ivany
My condolences to your family and my thoughts and prayers.
My parents knew Tom and all of his family. My father worked for Mr. SIMMS.
VERY NICE AND WELL LIKED FAMILY.
Dear Susan and family.
So sorry to hear of your dear fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Sincerely,
Hon. Jack and Lyn Murta
Prayers and condolences to all the family
Deepest sympathy to Marion and the Simms family, Marion and tom were the best people you could ever meet, loved them so much. We have wonderful memories of a great man .
To the Simms family:
Len and I are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Tom and we send our sincere condolences to all of you. The Simms family held a special place in the heart of all Buchaneers and it was always a joy to see Tom return in the summer time and take up residence in the family cabin on the shores of his beloved Red Indian Lake. I will never forget when Hayward and I attended our 50th. class reunion and Tom played a big role in that. At the dedication of a tree to honour the memory of our parents and classmates who had passed away I had to recite the Twenty-third Psalm. Tom stood right behind me in case I would forget a line. I did not forget but it was wonderful to know that if I had, he was there to help. That memory will stay with me forever. Just recently I was reading a poem he wrote about his hometown. His loyalty and love were so obvious. I am sorry I cannot get to Buchans on the 27th but I will be thinking of you all and wishing you peace. May memories of happier days when all of you were together bring comfort and healing to you. God bless you.
To the family of Tom. I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Another proud Buchaneer has left us. I remember him and the family well. Hayward was my classmate at Buchans Public School. Tom was at our 50th class of 1958 reunion. I know of his love of nature and what being at the cabin meant to him. The church was his calling and he served it well. My sincere condolences to his wife and family and to the Simms family. Thinking of you. God Bless you all and bring you comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Sending our deepest condolences to all the family and families. Our thoughts and prayers are will you.