ANOTHER WAR YEARS VET PASSES.

More sad news. here in Orange County N.Y... Legendary FDNY South Bronx Lieutenant, Lt. Tom Simmons retired from Engine 82 has passed away.
I believe Tom was 93 and was also a long time U.S. Marine. Tom fought in the Korean War and it Viet Nam and won many awards and metals for his distinguished service, both in the U.S.M.C. and the F.D.N.Y. Not too long ago Tom was a guide at the FDNY Museum on Spring Street in Manhattan. A great man and friend to many, myself included. Truly a Fireman's Firemen and all who knew him knew him knew he was special.
To quote a poem from World War II's Battles in the Pacific.
"When a Marine leaves this place to Saint Peter he will tell another Marine reporting in I served my Time in Hell"
Funeral date will be in the near future. Rest in Peace Tom. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
TOM SIMMONS on 8-3-26 at 94 yrs of age ....FF LAD*120....LT ENG*82.....he certainly saw it all......REST IN PEACE BROTHER....THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY (USMC 40 yrs Active & Reserve ) & FDNY.....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES... SEMPER FI !
 
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Tom was interviewed a few years ago for the book "They Saved New York"...excerpt from the book:
Tom’s first job was delivering the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper, and he later worked for a local dry cleaner. The Korean War was being fought and Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1951. After three years at Parris Island, Tom was sent to Korea as an infantryman and assigned to the combat engineers building. This was among the most important and dangerous jobs, maintaining roads and power supplies, often on the front lines. Tom returned home in 1954.

After his discharge, Tom worked as a United Airlines baggage handler at Idlewild Airport, which was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on Dec. 24, 1963. Tom’s uncle was a district superintendent for the Sanitation Department and suggested Tom start taking civil service tests. He made three police department lists but had no desire to become a police officer. Although Tom never considered becoming a firefighter, he took the FDNY exam and was hired in July 1957.


Tom was assigned to Brooklyn Engine Co. 283, which covered the Brownsville neighborhood. In 1961, Tom transferred to Ladder Co. 120 to try his hand at truck work. Tom studied to pass civil service exams at Delehanty Institute. During the hot summer of 1970, Lt. Tom Simmons, a newly promoted boss, was assigned to Bronx Engine Co. 82. (Top photo by Glenn Usdin from the same book.)
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