John G. Simmons (Jack) (52) of Worcester, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on September 20, 2023. Jack was born on January 24, 1971 to Freida L. (Bernard) Simmons of Holbrook MA and John C. Simmons of Rockland MA formerly of Holbrook MA. He leaves behind his parents, as well as his only daughter, Kira Regina Higgins-Simmons and her mother Kari Higgins who was a lifelong support for Jack, both of Worcester MA, his siblings, Charlene Simmons of Brockton MA, Dawn Higgins and her husband Tom of Rockland MA and Bonnie Simmons-Dunbar and her husband Chris of East Bridgewater, his step mother Marion Ross Simmons (Sue), Michael Simmons and his wife Shannon of Brockton and Jennifer Ross of Stoughton and as well as numerous nieces and nephews and close friends.
Jack had a kind and loving spirit. Though he wasn't always able to be his best self, he loved his family and friends deeply and always only wanted to be loved by them.
He was a fierce fan of Boston and New England sports. There was no Bruins game that went unwatched by him. Hockey, at any level of the sport, was a big part of his life. In the 2000's he was a regular season pass holder for the Worcester Sharks, attending games with his daughter at every opportunity. He made sure to pass on that love of New England sports to his daughter, insisting they watch the Red Sox, the Patriots, or the Bruins together either in person or over the phone.
As a father, he was the best father that he could be given his ongoing struggles with his mental health and alcoholism. He was always an active presence in her life. He tried his best to teach her the same skills that he had learned throughout his life. Often together they would work on his side-gigs, garden, build furniture, and do general house maintenance with her assistance. Every weekend, they spent time together playing video games or watching the history channel or old cartoons. He always made her feel loved and supportive and encouraged her to follow her interests wherever they led.
In 2001, Jack fractured two bones in his neck in a fall outside of his home. After a long road to recovery, he was left physically disabled with permanent nerve damage. Despite the setback he continued to live his life on his terms. He picked up work via side gigs; painting and repairing houses. He helped out at the corner liquor store for years, picking up litter and stocking shelves. He went camping and fishing with his buddies and loved grilling in the backyard.
Jack was diagnosed with throat cancer around 2019 and fought hard for several years, at one point successfully going into remission until 2022. Though it inevitably came back and he faced the insurmountable prospect of his own mortality, he never lost his fighting spirit. Ultimately, he left this world only due to the failing of his physical body, still fighting death tooth and nail on the way out the door.
As a tribute to Jack’s honor, his whole family attended the Worcester Railers Hockey game on November 4, 2023 where we celebrated his love for the game and for his family. It was a beautiful night and he would have loved every minute of it.
A small intimate graveside service including family and close friends and loved ones was performed on November 27, 2023 where his ashes were laid to rest at the Knollwood Cemetery at 321 High Street, Canton, MA followed by a celebration of life at the Brook Kitchen & Tap in Holbrook.
In the year since his passing, his presence has still been felt by his family. There’s not a moment we’re we don’t feel him cheering for us during our highs and supporting us in our lows. We miss him so much but in those moments we remember the message that he chose for his gravemarker, “I’ll see you on the other side, I love you all!!!”