Frank Simms 

Fred Langan 

Frank Simms was a well-liked resident of Knowlton and West Bolton, where he served as a town councillor. Frank led an interesting life and worked on a wide range of projects, from teaching skiing at Owl’s Head to helping build electric substations for Fred Korman Inc. and later for other firms. His last job was in northern Quebec in 2020. 

Frank was born in Grand-Mère, Quebec, where his family had lived for three generations. His grandfather went there to open a branch of the Bank of Montreal to service the pulp and paper industry in the region. He had historical connections to Knowlton. His mother Elizabeth Foster Williams, was from the family that owned the Knowlton General Store, the former Miss Clairol building. Frank went to school in Grand-Mère then transferred to Bishop’s College School in Lennoxville where he played football and was on the ski team. Frank was involved with Owl’s Head from the start, helping Bob Richardson cut some early trails. And he was a man who loved dogs and horses. 

“He really loved Brome Fair, especially when I was showing and he could spend a night there to hang out with others,” said his daughter Kedrin Simms-Brachman. “He was a ringmaster at the Foster Horse Show and also at Brome Fair. He was known for the Labradors he raised and years later would say hi to almost every lab he came across.” 

Frank Simms was born in Grand-Mère on January 5, 1945. He died at age 78 at home in Knowlton on October 27. He is survived by his daughter Kedrin, his sister Janet and two stepdaughters, Amanda and Angie. His wife Sue Dery died last year and a son, Jamie, predeceased him. A memorial service will be held at the Désourdy Funeral home in Cowansville on December 2.