Christopher York Simonds

On January 22, 2026, Christopher York Simonds passed away peacefully at the age of 83. He was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, life partner and friend. 

Born April 7, 1942, two months early, Chris was a true miracle baby. He lived in Ossining, NY, with his mother Harriet, father John, and brother Geep until the age of five, when the family moved to York. 

Chris attended Boston University and graduated from New England College. After enjoying his college years, he joined the Army, where he helped keep the skies safe as an air traffic controller in Hawaii. Chris later worked as an insurance underwriter for Campbell, Payson & Noyes, then Commercial Union Insurance, and finished his career with Ellis Insurance in York. 

A very important part of Chris’s life was his time with the York Fire Department. He joined in the 1970s as a volunteer firefighter and rose through the ranks to Captain. The Fire Department was his community. He made many lifelong friends and memories there. When the alarm sounded, Chris responded. 

Chris was always up for an adventure, enjoying time outdoors in the woods or on the beach-with a boogie board in hand or a surf board in tow-and heading out for good food and drink. Traveling to St. Simons Island with his love, Janice, became a favorite pastime in his later years. 

You could often find Chris outside with his family, stacking wood, planting a garden, making apple cider and maple syrup, and simply enjoying life together. He had a great sense of humor, and it was not uncommon to find him throwing tomatoes at his grandchildren. 

Chris is survived by his children, Margot Simonds, Geoff Simonds, Megan Mello and Kelsey Wallace, his grandchildren Kiegan, Jeremy, Dylan, Emma, Jamie, Julia, Aydin, Vince and Leigh, his great grandson Callum, and his longtime life partner, Janice Cassidy. 

So raise a beer, share a story, and remember Chris the way he would want-with laughter and love. 

The family will hold a private memorial at a later date.

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