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.
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.
