Robert M. Simmons

Robert M. Simmons, 99 years old, was reunited with the love of his life, his late wife Muffie and their Lord on June 18, 2025. 

Bob was born on November 9, 1925, in Middletown, CT.  He was the son of George and Marguerite (Smith) Simmons of Middletown.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1944.  He served in World War II as a tail gunner in a B-24, flying in the Pacific Theater.  Upon returning home, Bob earned an Associates Degree in Business from Hillyer College, now part of the University of Hartford.  In 1951, he married Mafalda DeStefano (Muffie) of Essex, who was his wife and partner for 70 years. 

Throughout his long career in sales, Bob managed small stores and sold automobiles.  But he was best known as the Fuller Brush salesman for the Westfield, East Berlin, Cromwell and Rocky Hill, a job that he loved and excelled in.  Bob and Muffie, later, opened their own business selling household products, jewelry, leather products and vacuums throughout his territory.  He was well known for customer service and his infamous “Donald Duck” impression, a big hit among the children along his route.

Bob and Muffie were dedicated organic gardeners, and worked a large vegetable garden every year, freezing and canning the produce for enjoying year-round.  His main hobby was painting.  Bob was a self-taught artist, his work included landscapes and most of all aircraft.  

Bob faithfully attended and was active in the South Congregational Church in Middletown and later the Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin.  Bob was a dedicated husband and a wonderful father.    He is survived by his daughter Patricia, sons Scott (Kathy), Gregg (Becky), Peter (Linda), Jeffrey (Inge), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at 11:00 at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill Street, Berlin.   Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert M. Simmons, please visit our floral store.