Ronald Arthur Simmons

Ronald Arthur Simmons, 70, of Pittsburgh, PA and Naples, FL unexpectedly November 20, 2014 in Naples, FL.

Ron was born July 10, 1944, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Ligia (Lee) DeSimone & Raymond Arthur (Art) Simmons.

He was a graduate of Baldwin High School (1962), later receiving his BS in Education Mathematics from Edinboro University (1966). A known sports fan, Ron created the first endowed athletic scholarship at Edinboro in 1987: Ron Simmons Football Scholarship.

After a year teaching mathematics at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, he joined IBM as a computer salesman. While employed at IBM he was called to serve in the US Army from 1968-1970, where he served as a programmer at the Pentagon.

Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Simmons Business Systems in 1975 and served the Pittsburgh community and tri-state area for 30+ years. While President of Simmons Business Systems, Ron worked with and touched the lives of hundreds of employees, and built lifetime relationships through sales and service of Brandt, IBM, and Konica-Minolta products.

Through years of sponsorship with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mr Simmons & Simmons Business Systems donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Pittsburgh, resulting in dozens of wishes granted for local children.

Ron was a dedicated reader, avid golfer, and founding member of the Club at Nevillewood where he served as President from 2003 – 2005. He was also a member at Tiburon Golf Club (Naples, FL).

Most importantly, Ron was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle & nephew; he is survived by his wife Evelyn, daughter Tiffany (Michael), grandson Maxton, sister Cynthia (Richard), brother Robert, nephew Liam (Jessica), niece Emma, uncle Ray Sabol (late Helen), & aunt Harriet Marshall. His twinkling eyes, generous spirit, contagious laugh, and room illuminating smile will be greatly missed by his entire family, along with many friends. Friends welcome Sunday 1-9pm, William Slater II Funeral Service (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd, Scott Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 10a.m. , St. Barbara Church, 45 Prestley Road, Bridgeville, PA, 15017.