Wilton - Peter A. Simmel, 74, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, at his home in Wilton, Maine, after a battle with dementia and medical complications. He was born on July 16, 1950, the son of William R. Simmel and Kathleen (Gilligan) Simmel, and grew up in North Hampton, NH. He graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, NH, in 1968, received his BS in Secondary Education (English) and Minor in Theater at Keene (NH) State College in 1977 and received his MFA in Theater (Directing) at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma in 1989. Peter served in the US Army during the Vietnam War from 1970-1973 and was stationed at Camp Zama Army Hospital in Japan as a Medical Laboratory Technician. He was very proud of his service to our country. While he was stationed at Camp Zama, he directed, acted in and constructed sets for the Zama Theater productions. Peter taught English at Traip Academy High School in Kittery, Maine, from 1977-1986, and during that time, directed many plays and musicals. From 1990-1999, he taught Theater and directed at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. From 1999-2015, he taught and directed at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), where he was promoted to Professor of Theater in 2012. He served as Chair for one term for the Visual and Performing Arts Departments at both Northwest College and UMF. He also directed and acted in plays with the Sandy River Players of Farmington, Maine. Peter loved all animals, fishing, playing basketball, collecting and listening to his 1960s-1970s vinyl record collection, working on projects inside and outside their home, and classic cars and going to car shows and Cruise Nights in their 1968 Ford Shelby GT500 KR. In addition to his parents, Peter was predeceased by his brother, T. J. Simmel. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ramona (Porter) Simmel of 53 years (they were married in Japan in 1971); his sister, Kathie and her husband Michael Morcillo; Ramona's brothers, Richard Porter, Roger and wife Barbel Porter, Pete and wife Vicky Porter; sister-in-law, Claudette Porter; brothers-in-law, Ryan Willey and Ronald Chase; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter's memory to Andwell Health Partners (Home Hospice), 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240, Franklin County Animal Shelter, 55 Industry Road, Farmington, ME 04938, or a favorite charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott's Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.