Riverview Rancher, Philanthropist Dies At 81

RIVERVIEW, FL – Quiet and unassuming, typically dressed in casual jeans, cowboy boots and a western shirt, Ellsworth “George” Simmons wasn’t the kind of man who stood out in a crowd.

That wasn’t his style. He prescribed to the biblical philosophy, “Deeds, not words.”

But Simmons’ deeds were the kind that changed lives.

The longtime south Hillsborough County rancher and philanthropist died Tuesday, April 24, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of giving that will live on.

The lifelong Riverview resident most likely inherited his commitment to Hillsborough County and its people from his pioneering parents, Ellsworth George Simmons and Carolyn Eason Simmons.

E.G. Simmons served 21 years (from 1951-1972) on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioner, 18 of them as chairman. During his tenure, he was a central figure in the establishment of the University of South Florida, the construction of Tampa International Airport, the development of Sun City Center and the founding of University Community Hospital.

The Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award, presented by the county commission each year to a person who has improved the county through vision and leadership, is named for E.G. Simmons. A 458-acre county conservation park on Tampa Bay in Ruskin also bears his name.

His son and namesake, however, preferred to spend his time outdoors among the beef cattle and horses that grazed the pastures of the E.G. Simmons Ranch on Simmons Loop in Riverview or hunting and fishing.

While he shied away from the political spotlight and stuffy board rooms, George Simmons quietly made his own contributions to the county.

A legacy member of the Rotary Club of Brandon, Simmons hosted the club’s signature fundraiser, Wild Game Night, at his ranch, for a number of years.

He and his late wife, Sandy, were major contributors to the Riverview Boys & Girls Club, which has been renamed the Sandy and George Simmons Boys & Girls Club in their honor.

Additionally, the Mabel and Ellsworth Simmons Charitable Foundation, founded by Simmons’ mother and administered by the Simmons family, was a major contributor to the development of the Rotary Club’s new event center in Brandon, which is named the Rivard-Simmons Rotary Event Center after Simmons and fellow Rotarian Roger Rivard.

Simmons and his wife of 35 years were equally generous in the effort to build the new Family Y at Big Bend in Riverview.

The family’s charitable foundation also financed the Mabel and Ellsworth Simmons House at Joshua House, a home for abandoned and abused children; the Ellsworth G. Simmons Scholarship Fund at East Bay High School; and the Simmons Endowed Professorship in Allergy and Immunology at the University of South Florida.

Past Rotary Club of Brandon President Chuck Burgess said Simmons had a profound impact on the club and the community.

“We all know the immense impact that George had both in our club and the Greater Brandon community at large,” Burgess said. “He truly embodied the best ideals of Rotary in all that he did, and he will be sorely missed by all of this family and friends.”

Simmons is survived by his children, stepchildren and their spouses, Cheryl (Jeff) Redford, Michelle (Pete) Henry, Kelle (David) Frustaci, Richard (Denise) D'Alessandro, Michael D'Alessandro (George Marie), Christine (Allan) Hogan; 14 grandchildren and their spouses, Courtney (Eric) Cubero, Derin (Warren) Garrison, Nicole Henry, Michael Frustaci (Brittany Davis), Danielle Frustaci, Joey D’Alessandro, Zachary D’Alessandro, Brett Smith, Brittney Smith, Sophia Huber, Henry Huber, Emile D’Alessandro, Bo Hogan and Alanna Hogan; six great-grandchildren, Cameron Cubero , Cayson Lewellyn, Mason Smith, Nolan Smith, Gio Smith and Jordan Smith; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Visitation will take place Friday, April 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Southern Care Funeral Home, 10510 Riverview Drive in Riverview.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Ruskin United Methodist Church, 105 4th Ave. N.W., Ruskin.

At the conclusion of the service, interment will be at the Ruskin Cemetery (Ruskin Memorial Park), 204 Manatee Drive, Ruskin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sandy and George Simmons Family Boys & Girls Club of Riverview, 6809 Krycul Ave., Riverview, FL 33578.

Image via Patch

George Simmons with his wife of 35 years, Sandy.