Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Owen Allen Simmons

NORTH CANAAN — “Because of his love for life, Owen gave the gift of life.” Owen Allen Simmons, 13, of 101-9 Sand Road died suddenly on Monday, June 17, 2024. Owen was born July 19, 2010, in Sharon Hospital, Sharon. He was a son of Michael A. and Kristine M. (Whiting) Simmons.

Owen had just graduated from 7th Grade at the North Canaan Elementary School. He had earned the Highest Honor Roll for his academics. He loved music. Owen played trombone in the school band and also in the Region One Band. Along with music, Owen also enjoyed gymnastics, animals, hiking, spending time with his family especially sharing time with his brother Levi. Owen skated and played hockey with the Berkshire Rattlers Youth Hockey Program in Sheffield.

In addition to his parents, Owen is survived by his brother Levi M. Simmons of North Canaan. His maternal grandparents Jannette and Philip Brunjes of North Canaan, and his paternal grandparents Betty Simmons of Torrington and the late Richard Simmons. He is also survived by his Aunts and Uncles including: Craig and Alicia Whiting of East Canaan; Eric and Kathy Whiting of Canaan Valley; Sandy and Shannon Sullivan of East Hartland; and Richard T. Simmons of Torrington. His cousins Tucker Whiting, Joe and Michael Bottass, Allison and Tyler Simmons; along with many extended families and friends.

A Celebration of Owen’s life was held on Saturday June 22, 2024, at 2 p.m. in the North Canaan Congregational Church, 172 Lower Road East Canaan, CT 06024. Memorial donations may be sent to either the Berkshire Rattlers Youth Hockey Program c/o Kristine M. Simmons 101-9 Sand Road Canaan, CT 06018 or to the North Canaan School Band c/o NCES 90 Pease St. Canaan, CT 06018. Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018.

Latest News

Let's Hear It - September 17, 2026

Let's Hear It - September 17, 2026

This Week

As summer comes to an end and the days begin to get a little cooler, signs of fall are starting to appear all around us. The leaves are beginning to change, the evenings are getting shorter, and a new season of activities and traditions is just around the corner.

Keep ReadingShow less

$5,000

$5,000

Letters to the Editor - September 17, 2026

Letters to the Editor - September 17, 2026

Put $1M to work for housing affordability

If I had $1 million to improve housing affordability in Litchfield County, I would create a revolving Housing Opportunity Fund. Instead of spending the entire amount on one or two homes, I would use it to help local housing trusts acquire land or properties, provide down-payment assistance for qualified buyers, convert appropriate existing buildings into housing, and help cover some of the upfront costs that can prevent good housing projects from ever getting started.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Turning Back the Pages - September 17, 2026

125 years ago — September 1901

LIME ROCK — Matthew Patterson recently received a silver medal from the Canadian government as a token of his services during the Fenian raid in ‘71. The medal is suitably inscribed and is considerably heavier than a silver dollar. It depends from a silk tri-color and pin, and altogether makes a very neat souvenir.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices from our community about the housing we need for a healthy, vibrant future

Jordan Seibert and Riley Bossi

Shelly Dinelle

There’s a reason people say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” To thrive, a child needs a safe, stable place to call home. That’s the bedrock for health, dignity, and the chance to build a bright future. What kind of “village” does it take to create these homes?

Motivated by compassion and a drive to make housing more accessible, it took the Foundation for Norfolk Living years of hard work to create ten affordable homes at Haystack Woods. The “village” turned out to be a patchwork of support that included financial help from the DOH, a construction mortgage through Northwest Community Bank, and a Community Development Block Grant to purchase the property and pay for the road and infrastructure. The result? Two- and three-bedroom homes reserved for first-time homebuyers earning 60-80% of Litchfield County’s median income, and selling for $159,000 to $261,000. The condominium homes are deed-restricted and net-zero thanks to energy-efficient construction, solar panels, and battery storage, meaning the homebuyers will have no energy costs! Curious? Just Google “Haystack Woods” to learn more. It’s a remarkable accomplishment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Selectmen back $113,000 request for new ambulance

FALLS VILLAGE — The Board of Selectmen approved a request from the Fire Commission for $113,000 toward a new ambulance scheduled for delivery in November.

The selectmen acted during their regular monthly meeting Monday, Sept. 14.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.