Haverhill - James E. Simmons, of Haverhill, passed peacefully on Saturday afternoon, February 19, 2022, after a period of declining health, at Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center in Lawrence, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Haverhill, December 21, 1926, he was the son of the late Percy J. and Ruth G. (Boody) Simmons. He grew up in Amesbury, attending Amesbury schools and graduated from Amesbury High School.

During World War II, he served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division in the Philippine Islands and Japan and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal on November 18, 1946.

After his military service he went on to graduate from Clark School, Hanover, NH, and the National Academy of Broadcasting, Washington, DC.

He was employed as an announcer at several radio stations in Virginia, Vermont and Haverhill. He was also employed as a reporter and editor at the Haverhill Gazette, Haverhill Independent and the Newburyport Daily News, and was a writer for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.

He is survived by two sons, James Jr. and wife Lee, and John of Amesbury; one daughter, Rebecca Barry and husband Michael of Northampton; three grandchildren, Paul Barry and wife Elise, Elantha Barry and husband Jon Wan, and Jason Simmons; six great-grandchildren, Desiree Simmons, Jeremy Blinn, Noah and Hudson Barry, Miles and Aiden Wan; great-great-grandson, Easton Simmons; former wife, Stacia of Amesbury; sister, Alice Bean and husband Stanley; along with several generations of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. He was predeceased by a sister, Beryl Bagni, of Groveland.

Funeral service and burial at Union Cemetery, Amesbury, will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of James E. Simmons can be made to preventchildabuse.org. Arrangements are by Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, MA.