On February 25, 2025, Reverend Joseph C. Simmons, beloved son of the late Catherine H. (nee Flury) "Katiellen" and Michael F. Simmons; dear brother of William (Bill) Simmons and the late John (Jack) and Michael (Mick) Simmons; dear uncle of Karen Keilson, Kevin Simmons, Meghan Gordineer, Matt Simmons, Brian Simmons, Mary Kate Ohl, Joe Simmons, David Simmons and Molly Gofus; also survived by 13 great nieces and nephews.

The boys attended St. Brigid School in Canton and were taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  It was in fourth or fifth grade that Sister John Leonard, SSND, spoke to Joseph about the call from God to become a priest.  Joseph rode the trolley to Mount St. Joseph High School and was taught by the Xaverian Brothers.  Summer jobs were with the City of Baltimore, holding the pole for surveyors.

After high school and two years at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Archbishop Keough sent him and one other seminarian to the Grand Seminary of Saint Brieuc in Brittany, France.  The large, grey stone building housed sixty French and ten American seminarians.  One summer was spent in Lourdes, washing dishes at a hostel.  The gift of an excellent camera allowed him to take remarkably clear and beautiful photos of Lourdes.

May 27, 1961 was ordination at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.  The chalice and paten for the newly-ordained priest were given by the Simmons family.  On the bottom of the paten is engraved, "Nemo sibi vivit."  No one lives for himself.

Assignments were seven years at St. Matthew in Baltimore, seven years at St. Patrick in Cumberland, two years at St. Francis of Assisi in Baltimore and five years as chaplain at University of Maryland Hospital.  In October of 1982, he came to Church of the Holy Spirit.  On December 10, 1982 he was installed as pastor.  Looking back over almost forty years, he considers a major accomplishment to be helping to build the church and the new Parish Center in 2012 which replaced the former building lost to fire.

He retired to Mercy Ridge on June 30, 2022.

When asked about a "motto", Father Simmons brings out the paten given him by his family.  Turning it over, he reads, "Nemo sibi vivit."

Father Simmons will lie in repose at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 540 Joppa Farm Road, Joppa, MD 21085 on Thursday from 2-4 and 5:30–7:30 PM and Friday from 11 to 11:45 AM, with a Funeral Mass at 12:00 PM. Graveside Service on Saturday 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Church of the Holy Spirit or Little Sisters of the Poor, 601 Maiden Choice, Baltimore, MD 21228. Arrangements by Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc.