It is with saddened hearts that the family of the late Penney 'Freeman' Simms of Little Bay, NL, age 80, announces his passing on January 8, 2025 at Green Bay Health Centre, Springdale, NL.

Freeman leaves to remember with fond and loving memories; daughter Margaret; son Jason (Felicia); grandchildren Jessica, Gracie and Noah; brothers Douglas (Audrey), Scott (Sheila), Neil (Vida); sisters Irene (Ford) Winsor, Marjorie Meyer, Sadie (Howard) Winsor, Bernice (Winston) Mouland, Ivy (Austin) Hatcher; sister-in-law Doris (Clem) Simms.

Many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the Gill family; as well as a large circle of extended family and friends.

Freeman is predeceased by his wife of 50 years Stella Kathleen; his parents Andrew & Sarah; parents-in-law John & Gertrude Gill; brothers Gilbert, Fred, James, Reuben, Ernest and Harvey; sisters Audrey, Lucy Coombs, Gertrude Verge.

Freeman Penney Simms was born on January 4, 1945 in Shoal Arm to Andrew and Sarah Simms. He grew up in a family with 17 brothers and sisters, with Gilbert, Fred, and Audrey passing at an early age.

At age 9 Freeman became very ill with tuberculosis and was flown to St. John's where he stayed in hospital for 10 months. His sister Lucy would call him Timmy and tell him he was special.

Then at the age of 16, the family moved into Little Bay. From 1962 to 1963 Freeman went to Lewisporte to attend college for a trade in carpentry. More schooling follow that brought him to St. John's to get his journeyman in carpentry. Over the years, his work led him to be a school bus driver and working in mines, but his passion was always his carpentry.

Freeman met the love of his life, Stella, and they were blessed to share 50 years of marriage. Life blessed them even more, with two children, Margaret and Jason. Their family continue to grow when their grandchildren were born, Jessica, Gracie, and Noah. Together with Stella, their children and grandchildren were their life. They taught them values and morals, work ethic, respect and most importantly, the unconditional love they shared as a family.

Freeman loved fishing whether it was on a salmon river, on a pond ice fishing, or even on the ocean cod fishing. There were many moose hunting trips and berry picking days, and they always followed with a cook up.

In 2021, Freeman was diagnosed with cancer, and this journey lasted four years.

We would like to thank the staff at the Cancer Clinic in Grand Falls-Windsor and St. John's, the staff at Green Bay Health Care Centre, the staff at Main Street Medical Clinic, the staff at St. Claire's hospital, the home care workers that help care for him, and the support he received from family and friends.

The funeral service will be held from Grace United Church, Springdale, NL on January 11, 2025 at 1 pm with Rev. Larry Noseworthy officiating. Interment will be at the Little Bay United Cemetery, Little Bay, NL.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Green Bay Funeral Home, Springdale, NL.