Lawrence W. "Larry" Simns Sr.

Lawrence William “Larry” Simns of Rock Hall, MD, died on March 14, 2013. He was born September 18, 1937, and was the son of George Clifton and Rebecca Stevens Akers Simns of Rock Hall, MD. Mr. Simns graduated from Rock Hall High School, Class of 1956. He spent his life as a commercial waterman, a job he absolutely loved. He owned and operated the Dawn and Dawn II workboats out of his home port of Rock Hall. He was a member of the Kent County Waterman’s Association and was the founding president of the Maryland Waterman’s Association in 1973, a position he held until his death. Mr. Simns was passionate in representing the waterman’s interests in Chesapeake Bay legislation, conservation, and maintaining a tradition that spanned several generations. He served on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Maryland Tidal Fish Advisory Committee, Commercial Fisherman of America Association as well as many other councils and advisory boards. Governor Martin O’Malley recently named Mr. Simns "Admiral of the Chesapeake" for his “role in promoting changes to ensure the sustainability of Commercial Fishing in the State of Maryland.” He was a member of the Chester Lodge #115 A.F. & A.M., Chestertown Elks Lodge #2474, and the Rock Hall Church of God. Mr. Simns enjoyed hunting, shooting, and being on the water. He recently co-authored a book with Robert L. Rich, Jr., The Best of Times on the Chesapeake Bay: An Account of a Rock Hall Waterman. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Carolyn Simns; a sister, Joanne Travis of Rock Hall, MD; three children, Dawn Nordhoff, Lawrence “Larry” Simns, Jr., and Robert Simns all of Rock Hall; five stepchildren, Scott Hyland of Worton, MD, Eddie Hyland of Tampa, FL, Susan Barnhardt of Chestertown, MD, Richard Carter of TX, and Jamie Hague of Rock Hall; twelve grandchildren, Jessica Simns, David Nordhoff, Brant Nordhoff, Jason Simns, Jillian Hyland, Lindsay Hyland, Venesa Hyland, Brandi Scott, Jennifer Wiltbank, Ashley Carter Richie Carter and Taryn Bladt; three great-grandchildren, Landon Nordhoff, Savannah Scott, and Barron Scott. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Jeffrey Simns. There will be a public viewing on Friday, March 22, 2013, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD, where a Masonic Service will be held at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. Chestertown, MD on Saturday, March 23, 2013, at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Maryland Waterman’s Association at 1805-A Virginia Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401, Rock Hall Vol. Fire Company, P.O. Box 577, Rock Hall, MD 21661, or Chester River Homecare and Hospice at 100 Brown Street, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Lawrence W. "Larry" Simns Sr.

September 18, 1937 - March 14, 2013