"God Bless Uncle Tony and Aunt Wilma, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Tony was such a gentle soul, with a really great sense of humor we are going to deeply miss. It's sad to think that we won't see him again. Molly and I look forward to seeing the family in a few weeks. What a wonderful human being Tony was!"
In loving memory of
B. Mitchell Simpson, III
May 9, 2019
B. Mitchell Tony Simpson III, of Newport, R.I., passed away peacefully on May 9, 2019 at Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge, MA after complications from surgery. Tony was happily married to Wilma M. Simpson for 51 years.
Tony was born in Philadelphia, PA, to Marshall (Hall) Simpson and B. Mitchell Simpson II. He graduated with Honors from Colgate University with a BA then received his Law Degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, he entered the U.S. Navy and served honorably for twenty years on five ships including USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and USS Perry. During his distinguished service in the Navy, Tony received three degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University: Masters in Arts (MA), Masters in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) and a PhD with a dissertation focused on US-Franco Relations. He was a respected member of the faculty of the U.S. Naval War College from 1970-1977, retiring from active duty as a Lt. Commander. Upon retirement from the Navy, he continued his law career in private practice in Newport, R.I. and pursued his passion as a true academic and historian. Over the course of his notable career, he published many articles, several books, and other scholarly materials on naval strategy, history, and law. He dutifully continued to serve the community in a variety of ways including eight years on the Newport City Council, as Senior Warden of Trinity Church Newport, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Festa Italiana, and Trustee and Trustee Emeritus of The Pennfield School. From 2000-2018 he was a Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.
Tony is survived by his loving and devoted wife Wilma, cherished daughters Fiona and Isla, loyal sons-in-law Rob and Steven, and three beloved grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Church on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to either Trinity Church Landmark Preservation Fund, or Trinity Church Trinity Serves, or The Pennfield School in Portsmouth, R.I.
Tributes
"Dianna and myself would like to extend our sympathy upon the loss of Tony. The community has lost one of the really good people. Always greeted everyone with a good word and a smile."
"Marilyn and I were shocked and saddened to read that a friend, B. Mitchell (Tony) Simpson, III had died. I had the pleasure of working with Tony on the Newport City Council as well as a couple of Community Committees. Everyone loved working with him, Tony could be the father, colleague, friend or whatever was needed to get the job done. He is and will be missed by many left behind in the Community he served. At this most difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Wilma, Fiona, Isla and their family. God Bless Tony. Dave Roderick"
"We are so sorry to hear about Tony. From our Japanese adventures together to Festa Italia, we always loved his energy and enthusiasm. You are in our thoughts. God bless. David and Nancy Rosenberg"