Famous Old Harbour photographer David Simmonds dies

The 79-year-old dad of 11 children died early this morning at the May Pen Hospital, his son Peter Simmonds informed Old Harbour News.

For the last three weeks, the elder Simmonds has been complaining of pain in his stomach but a battery of medical examinations revealed nothing of real note.

“He was still active,” said Peter. “He was on the road doing his business up to Monday.”

Late last night, things turned for the worse when he complained of feeling serious pain in his chest. He was rushed to the hospital in the Clarendon capital where he was pronounced dead.

Simmonds was a very young man when he came and settled in Burke Road, Old Harbour after growing up in Reynolds districts in the Linstead area of St Catherine.

He quickly landed a job as a painter with a contracted firm at Alcan Bauxite Company before branching out as a photographer during the 1960s.

With few competitors around, Simmonds established himself as a leader in the business at the time in the southwest of St Catherine, detailing thousands of family histories and life in Old Harbour through his lens.

By 1987 Mr Simmonds established the Fast Finishing Photo Studio, amongst the first of its kind in Old Harbour, on Vaz Drive.

The studio has since been rebranded as Digital Image Photo Lab and is still in operation to this day.

His ultra-calm and warm demeanor made it impossible not to love him. He was the ultimate dad to his children and a father to all who interacted with him frequently.
In a nutshell David Simmonds was a beautiful soul who lived a full life that inspired his children and countless others.

Today, only three of his children did not do photography professionally at some point in their lives. Two of his sons, Peter and Shemor are full-time professional photographers and have built on the legacy of their father, adding graphic designs, videography and a wide range of other multimedia services to their skillsets. 

Described as a dedicated and loving husband, David Simmonds was true to his vows made 42 years ago to his now widow, Patsy Simmonds with whom he produced nine children with, adding to his three prior to meeting her.

The devout Christian couple are members of the Church of God Seventh Day Church in Davis, northern Old Harbour and naturally had the largest family at mass on Sabbath.

Peter said his father was truly committed to their mother, who is visually impaired and struggles daily with a myriad of health issues for years now. He said their dad attended to her needs in every way imaginable on a daily basis before venturing out to work.

Only recently, Peter said, the children were discussing plans for a surprised 80th birthday party. Now those plans will never be realized as they begin to bid farewell to a great father and friend after an inspired journey on Earth.