SCHUYLER LAKE - Walter F. Simonds, 82, of County Highway 22, passed away Monday, March 18, 2002, in Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown. He was born March 17, 1920, in the town of Exeter, son of the late Ralph L. and Leona Higbie Simonds. Walter was raised and educated in Exeter. On Aug. 18, 1962, he married the former Marjorie Coger in Cooperstown. For 35 years he was employed by the New York State Department of Transportation, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He was a friend to many and will never be forgotten. Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Marjorie; one son, Jeffery Simonds of Pittston, Pa.; two stepsons, Robert Charles Coe of Schuyler Lake and James V. and his wife Cindy Coe of Richfield Springs; one step-daughter, Carla and her husband Frederick Eckler of Richfield Springs; two brothers, Ralph Simonds of Sacramento, Calif. and Lyman Simonds of Floyd; three sisters, Pauline Cleary of Schuyler Lake, Madeline Wallace of South Daytona, Fla. and Minerva Stickles of Oneonta; four grandchildren, Darren and his wife Lisa Eckler of Clifton Park, Jason and Eric Coe of Fly Creek and Robert Coe III of Schuyler Lake; one great-grandson, Jared Eckler of Clifton Park; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Deleban and Damon Simonds. Funeral services and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Schuyler Lake First Responders or the Richfield Springs Emergency Squad. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.