SIMMONS RONALD ARTHUR Age 70, of Pittsburgh, PA and Naples, FL, suddenly and unexpectedly November 20, 2014, in Naples, FL. Ron was born July 10, 1944, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Ligia (Lee) DeSimone and Raymond Arthur (Art) Simmons. He was a graduate of Baldwin High School (1962), later receiving his BS in Education Mathematics from Edinboro University (1966). A known sports fan, Ron created the first endowed athletic scholarship at Edinboro in 1987: Ron Simmons Football Scholarship. After a year teaching mathematics at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, he joined IBM as a computer salesman. His service with IBM lasted six years, interrupted by two years in the U.S. Army (1968-1970), where he served as a programmer at the Pentagon. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Simmons Business Systems in 1975 and served the Pittsburgh community and tri-state area for 30 plus years. While President of Simmons Business Systems, Ron worked with and touched the lives of hundreds of employees, and built lifetime relationships through sales and service of Brandt, IBM, and Konica-Minolta products. Through years of sponsorship with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mr. Simmons and Simmons Business Systems donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Pittsburgh, resulting in dozens of wishes granted for local children. Ron was a dedicated reader, avid golfer, and founding member of the Club at Nevillewood where he served as President from 2003 - 2005. He was also a member at Tiburon Golf Club (Naples, FL). Most importantly, Ron was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, and nephew; he is survived by his wife, Evelyn; daughter, Tiffany (Michael); grandson, Maxton; sister, Cynthia (Richard); brother, Robert; nephew, Liam (Jessica); niece, Emma; uncle, Ray Sabol (late Helen); aunt, Harriet Marshall. His twinkling eyes, generous spirit, contagious laugh, and room illuminating smile will be greatly missed by his entire family, along with many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Make A Wish Foundation OR Wounded Warriors Project. Friends welcome Sunday 1-9 p.m., WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp. Mass of Christian Burial Monday 10 a.m., St. Barbara Church, 45 Prestley Rd., Bridgeville, PA 15017. www.slaterfuneral.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
