In Memorium:
Ed Simmons: 10-07-1952 – 9-22-22
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Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2022
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It figures that today is a dreary rainy day. Not easy getting bad news on a day like this, but it happened anyway. Jacqueline Simmons, the daughter of a dear friend, Ed Simmons called at 10:42 this morning to inform tearfully that her Dad passed away peacefully from complications of renal cancer. She was by his bedside at the time of his passing. Anyone that knew Ed would know how much he was comforted by Jacqueline’s presence. His daughter was the apple of his eye, a complicated relationship but they loved each other immensely none the less. Ed called early in June of this year and gave me the news his diagnosis was terminal. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Ed always appeared fit and healthy. He didn’t exactly know how much time he had in June. He was acutely aware his time was very limited on this earth. We talked about therapy options that he didn’t want any part of. I tried to encourage him to look on the bright side, hoping against hope there would be a miracle, certainly there were plenty of prayers. Ed was steadfast. He starred squarely at his mortality and accepted his pending demise without complaint. He remembered seeing his dad suffer with the end stages of the same disease and decided after conferring with doctors not to take any chemo or radiation. He didn’t want to suffer with ineffective treatments the way his dad did. He said the disease was really nasty.
So we talked since June numerous times about what he would do with his personal effects, especially his photography collection. Ed was an amazing photographer and always offered his assistance on my shoots whenever I worked in Los Angeles. He loved LA’s nightlife and became a fixture, particularly around Melrose and his home away from home, Venice Beach, where he wished to have his remains released to the sea, where his spirit can eternally enjoy the sun and surf.
A life well lived and a close friend I will truly miss.
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Here are a few links to past contributions Ed Simmons made to this blog. He would love for visitors to enjoy the articles he left behind:
. Dancing Girls Harvard and Stone: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/ed-simmons-dancing-girls-harvard-and-stone/
. Venice Beach Trashed: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/ed-simmons-dancing-girls-harvard-and-stone/
. Jay Adams Local Hero: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/ed-simmons-jay-adams-local-hero/