HomeMy WebLinkAbout1307Article copied from the Pickering News Advertiser, January 18, 2002 page 26.David Simmonds,
founder of Clearnet, dies at 73.By Tim ForanStaff/writerThe founder of Claernet Communication,
entrepreneur DAvid Simmonds died Monday morning at Lakeridge Health Uxbridge after losing
a 19-month battle with lymphoma cancer. He was 73.In 1978, at the relatively advanced age of
50, the Port Perry resident started up a small holding company in Pickering called the Lenbrook
Group. The company started out as a national distributor of electronics and audio gear but soon
began investing in the emerging cell-phone industry in the mid-1980's. The eventual result was
Clearnet Communications, a mobile phone company that used an inovative approach to
customer service to compete against larger players like Rogers and Bell before being sold two
years ago to western telephone giant Telus in the largest telecomminications deal in Candian
history.The $6.6-billion deal represented a$140-million payoff to Lenbrook and the Simmons
family, but David did not see it as an oppotunity to retire. Instead, after almost 55 years in the
electronics world, he decided to try his ahd in the development industry by becoming chairman
of Shobrook Gardens, a proposed upscale retirement building in Uxbridge (Shobrook was
Mr. Simmonds's middle name). "Shobrook Gardens, it was a natural evolution for him to
consider the next phase of life, the retirement life." Don Simmonds, one of Mr. Simmonds's six
children, said of his father's venture. It was a plan for not just himself but also for the community.
"a devout Baptost, Mr. Simmonds prioritized one's contribution to society behind only faith in
God and dedication to family. He was past predident of the Canadian Baptiost Federation, now
called Canadian Baptist Misitries, taught Sunday school and occasionally preached at this
church inn Uxbride. Indeed Mr. Simmonds's faith was so complete he partly attributed Telus's
purchase of Clearnet to God. The deal had come 10 years after Mr. Simmonds's offer to sell
Lenbrook's 60 percent stake in Clearnet to Bell's wireless division fell through.
"How wonderful that the Lord over-ruled!" David wrote in his personal journals.
"His faith in God was a personal, all-encompassing experience rather than a religion or a ...
routine, an adherance to a practice," explained Don, who was also a business partner to his
father. "He would see God as his best friend."Mr. Simmonds is survived by his wife Barbara,
his six children (all of hwhom still live within 20 minutes of each other in west Durham), and his
23 grandchildren. He is also survived by five siblings.A clebration of Mr. Simmonds's life was
held at Uxbridge Baptist Church on Brock Street Weston Friday, Jan. 18 (today) at 11 a.m.
For details call 905-852-3073.