James ‘Big Jim’ Benjamin Simonds

James “Big Jim” Benjamin Simonds, Sr., 68, died Friday, July 28, 2017, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage following a period of declining health.

Jim was born on Aug. 14, 1948, in Concord, Vermont, to Bradford and Effie Simonds of Dalton, New Hampshire. He was the second born of six children, and was raised on the family farm. A boy who never outgrew his love of digging in the dirt, he was a self-taught heavy equipment operator working on numerous projects from the I-93 corridor in New Hampshire to the Alaska Pipeline. He worked for Larsen Excavating, Harmon Excavating, Neeser Construction, Eastwind and GMC Contracting.

He was a member of the Local 302 Union. Jim made his home on the east coast until the mid-1970s when he relocated to Alaska. Jim enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, boating, fishing, snowmobiling and tinkering. Jim was a good ol’ boy, and if he counted you as a friend he would give you the shirt off his back. Friends will remember his often left of the law antics,. Upon his retirement, he was instrumental in completing the site work for the Big Lake Lions Club Recreation Center, volunteering countless hours.

He leaves three children: Sandra, James and Ben. Surviving grandchildren include Cory, Ashley, BJ, Katrina, Conor and Lyra, along with four great-grandchildren. He is survived by siblings, Milton, Harry, Harold Simonds, Julia Simonds Pandora, and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves a good friend, Rory Haddeland. He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother Bradford.

A celebration of life will be held at the Big Lake Lions Club at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Lake Lions Foundation, P.O. Box 520084, Big Lake, Alaska 99652