Obituary List

Henry R. Simonds, III, died peacefully on September 22, 2026 at Good Samaritan Center, part of the Advent Christian Village, a retirement community in Florida. He was 80 years old.

Henry graduated from Columbia University in New York with a Bachelor's degree, majoring in geology. After college he went on to study medicine. He worked his entire career as a Physician’s Assistant, in New York City, and in New Hampshire, working in hospitals and urgent care clinics, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, trauma injuries, and other medical problems. He was certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants, and a member of the State of New Hampshire Physician’s Assistant Society. Furthermore, his decades-long study and practice of herbal remedies underscored a profound commitment to natural healing.

Henry loved books and was a lifelong learner, amassing hundreds of books in his personal library, including both fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. When he was young and came home from school, he often grabbed a snack and ran up to his room to read. After graduating high school, he boarded a ship headed for Europe and toured around. He also joined the circus for a while. Traveling and exploring new places, and learning about ancient cultures and artifacts was a lifelong pursuit. He loved rocks and collected them his whole life, ending up with a huge collection worthy of a museum. He was also deep into photography, composing beautiful scenes of rural New England and other places in his travels. He also enjoyed being a licensed ham radio operator and enthusiast, and knew morse code. Henry often attended flea markets, collecting and selling vintage items. In addition he loved boating, fishing, camping, and hiking. He also cared deeply about family and friends, and loved spending time with them.

He moved to Florida three years ago to escape the cold of New Hampshire, and decided to move to Advent Christian Village in part because his father, Henry R. Simonds, Jr., and aunt, Ruby (Simonds) Gakeler, both resided there before him. But he was a lifelong lover of New England, and recently said he wanted to visit New Hampshire and cherished family members there again. In his retirement village he enjoyed driving his golf cart, listening to music, practicing guitar, and playing bridge with friends. He is remembered as a person who mostly kept to himself, but was very kind, gentle, and considerate to others, enjoying meaningful conversations.

He is predeceased by his mother, Betty Dossey, who lived in Contoocook, NH, and his father, Henry R. Simonds, Jr., who lived in Concord, NH, before retiring to Advent Christian Village.

Left to mourn his passing are his sister, Nola Frost, of Concord, NH; a niece, Liane Whittum (and spouse, Keith Whittum), of Hill, NH; a nephew, Jeremy Frost (and spouse, Tanya Frost), of Bow, NH; and another nephew, Daniel Frost, of Concord, NH. He also has two great nieces, one great nephew, several cousins, and many friends.

A private graveside service for burial, next to his mother’s resting place in Contoocook, NH, will be held at a later date. If you would like to donate a gift in his memory, please consider the Advent Christian Village Health Services. Here is the link: https://www.acvillage.net/support-acv-ministry/