PORTLAND- Simmie M. Butts, 96, of Portland, passed away on November 6, 2018. Simmie was born in Rockland, Maine on September 6, 1922 to the late George and Gertrude Butts. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years Lucy (Nappi) Butts.
He also leaves behind his daughter, Margaret Dyer and her husband Philip Dyer; his three sons, Larry, Simmie Jr. and Richard; grandchildren Simmie III, Richard, Timmy, Seanna, Andrea, Derek and Tyler and several great-grandchildren. He is survived by three of his brothers; Virgil and his wife Letha, Richard and his wife Judy, and Harold and his wife Lorraine. Simmie had 11 Brothers and 3 sisters; Emma, Mary, Dottie, Fred, George, Walter, Arthur, Edward, Donald, Richard, Robert, Virgil, Harold and Everett.
He left school early in order to go to work to help provide for his family. His first job was with his brother-in-law at a filling station on the old Veterans Bridge. He joined the Battery D 240th National Guard at the age of 17.
After he was honorably discharged, he enlisted into the United States Army. He later enlisted in the Navy on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was shipped overseas on December 21, 1941.
During his tour of duty, he served on the USS Sub Chaser 1021, the USS Yarmouth Transport and the USS West Point. He also served on a HMS Corvette, an English war ship. He especially enjoyed serving on this ship because they had a bar and piano on it where they would sing American and English songs.
He spent his Christmas and New Years on that ship. He ended his service career and was honorably discharged in 1948. Simmie was a hard worker.
He had a number of jobs over the years and was proud to hold each and every one of them. He worked for the Portland Motel on Congress St. and then for the Graymore Hotel earning just $6. 99 a week before going to work for his brother Freddy at his diner on St. John St. in Portland.
Next he worked at the railroad at Union Station for 15 years until it closed in 1960. He then worked at Porteous, Mitchell and Braun Co. department store for 5 years as a shipper. He next worked at the Portland Club on State Street until he became the owner/manager of Simmie’s Lunch on Forest Avenue in Portland.
After that venture ended, he went to work for his brothers-in-law Nick, Frank and Sava at Nappi Distributors where he remained until he retired. Even in his retirement, he continued to work at Dr. Donald Verrier’s dental office for 12 years. Only after having major heart surgery, did he officially stop working.
Simmie loved to work and he did a good job at everything he did. Simmie was a lifetime member of the following groups: VFW Post 6859, the Italian Heritage Club, Columbia Club, Harold T. Andrews Post, Prides Corner Amvets Post 15, Eagles Club on St. John St. and Ralph D. Caldwood Drum & Bugle Corps. He was also a lifelong supporter of the Maine Center for the Blind and was recently recognized by them for donating to them annually for 80 years.
The family would like to thank Dr. Stillson and his staff, as well as Beacon Hospice, for the excellent care they provided to Simmie.
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