Herbert G. Simmons Jr., former chief pharmacist for health and hospitals, city of Boston, died on July 12 after a long illness. He was 75.
Simmons’ interest in pharmacy began as a teenager when he worked during the summers and after school at Jaspan’s Pharmacy on Harold Street in Roxbury. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy and his Master’s Degree in Public Health from Northeastern University.
Prior to his position with the city of Boston, he worked as a hospital pharmacist at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Dorchester and as a pharmaceutical representative for Hoffman La Roche, located in Nutley, N.J. and Switzerland.
His accomplishments include the opening of the first outpatient pharmacy at Boston City Hospital and the introduction at the same hospital of the unit dosage system, a method of distributing needed medicines to patients.
Born in Roxbury, Simmons was the son of Herbert G. Simmons Sr. and Noel Farnum. Both parents were born in Barbados and came to Boston in the late 1920s to join other family members. The house his father purchased in 1930 for his new family was built in 1840 when Roxbury was a summer retreat for Beacon Hill families.
Simmons lived in Wayland for many years before returning with his family to his childhood home in 1980.
An accomplished and passionate fisherman, Simmons was a founding member of the Sea and Surf Anglers Club of Boston, a club that fished competitively in international tournaments against the Blue Waters Anglers Club of Bermuda.
Bermuda became a second home to Simmons. For more than 40 years he traveled to the island to fish, visit friends and attend family and special events.
An avid sportsman, he was a true Red Sox fan and a dedicated Patriots fan. He led an active social life and enjoyed being a member of the Boston Chapter of Guardsmen, Inc.
His career changed in 1983 after suffering a severe stroke. As he recovered, he found a new interest that called upon newly discovered talents and skills. He became a dedicated volunteer for those in need. He volunteered at Project Place, counseling individuals with addictions, and at Parental Stress Hotline where he counseled parents in moments of crisis with their children.
In addition, he worked with individuals at the Somerville Group Home, and his last volunteer position was with the Veterans Administration, making sure that veterans confined to their home had all the services they needed.
He received many awards for his volunteer service and became a model for determination and perseverance for the disabled community.
Simmons leaves his wife, Sylvia; three children, Stephen, Alison and Lisa; his sisters Muriel Stark and Florence Gaskin; six grandchildren, Stephen, Elliot, Nicholas, Alexander, Liliane and Kaleb; a son-in-law, Johan Uvin; a daughter-in-law Jennifer Ashby Simmons and many other relatives and close friends.
A memorial service will be held on August 7, 2010 at Trinity Church Boston, 206 Clarendon St., Boston, MA, 02116 at 10:30 a.m.
Donations can be made to Project Place by mailing to Project Place, 1145 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118 or online at http://www.projectplace.org/donate.html.
