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Stratford Man Dies Suddenly At 41, His Hometown Skate Park May Honor His Legacy

A "kind, authentic" Fairfield County man is being remembered for the impact he had on his hometown, which is now moving to make his legacy a permanent part of the community.

A skate park in Port Townsend, Washington may bear Shamus Sims's name.

A skate park in Port Townsend, Washington may bear Shamus Sims's name.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe / "Honoring Seamus Paco Sims"

Shamus Paco Sims, age 41, died suddenly at his home in Stratford earlier this year, according to his obituary. Months later, his loved ones are working to immortalize his legacy by renaming a skate park in his hometown after him.  

Sims "led the charge" to build a skate park in his hometown of Port Townsend, WA in 2006, according to Michael Todd, parks and facilities manager of Port Townsend Parks and Recreation. 

"The Port Townsend Skate Park, which he and a few friends lobbied endlessly to build and design, is the place to continue Seamus’ legacy," reads the description of a GoFundMe created on May 5, 2023 to raise money to memorialize Sims.  

The Parks Board unanimously approved the park's name change to the “Seamus Sims Memorial Skate Park," according to Todd and the GoFundMe. 

The name change will be presented to the Port Townsend City Council on June 20 for final approval.

Along with petitioning for a name change, Sims' loved ones are working to build a memorial park and plaque and hold a celebration of his life, scheduled for July 9th at 1:00 pm at the Fort Worden Kitchen Shelter in Port Townsend.

Sims, who was an avid bird watcher and orchid lover, worked as the director of logistics for BCH America Inc., headquartered in Wilton

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Elba Rivera Sims, and his adored pets, Gamba, Gage, Gary, and Gidget, along with four sisters and an extended family. 

The city of Port Townsend will wait a year after Sims' death to make the name change official, if it passes City Council. 

Click here to view the GoFundMe campaign. 

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