Montana priest Father Lawrence Simons served diocese in 1970s

Father Lawrence Simons a priest of the Diocese of Helena, Mont., who served in Hawaii in the 1970s, died on March 1 on the Big Island where he had retired. He was 81 and a priest for 57 years.

Born in Townsend, Mont., on Oct. 29, 1923, he studied for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colo., and was ordained a priest for the Diocese in Helena on May 29, 1948.

After serving in Montana for several years, he received permission in 1959 to serve as a missionary Central America after which health considerations prevented his return to the Diocese in Helena. He subsequently served in the Dioceses of Tucson, Houston, San Diego and Honolulu, eventually retiring on the Big Island.

He came to Hawaii in 1970 and worked at Sacred Heart Church, Naalehu, where he was involved in the senior citizen program of that plantation community. He served briefly at Holy Trinity Church, Honolulu and St. Sophia Church in Kaunakakai, Molokai, were he was involved in the centennial celebration of St. Joseph Church, Kamalo, built by Blessed Father Damien.

Father Simons’ remains were buried in the priests’ plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Helena.