Randy Simmons, Peoria Notre Dame High School Principal, Found Dead At Home

The principal of Peoria Notre Dame High School, Illinois, was found dead at his house, Tuesday, according to a news release sent out by the Peoria County coroner, Jamie Harwood.

Harwood said 61-year-old Randy L. Simmons was pronounced dead at 3:31 p.m. local time (4:31 p.m. EST) in his home, after police officers responded to the scene. Although the official cause of death was not revealed, no foul play was suspected. The matter was under investigation.

A message sent from Bishop Jenky, Congregation of Holy Cross, to the school community was obtained by NBC-affiliated Week.

“It is with great sadness that I share with the school family of Peoria Notre Dame that earlier today Principal Randy Simmons passed away. His sudden death brings great sadness to both our students, staff, parents and our entire PND family. I ask for your prayers for the repose of the soul of Mr. Simmons, his family as well as our entire school community,” the message said.

The statement further stated that school will convene as usual on Wednesday and students were to report to the advisory, after which they, along with the staff will join the bishop for an all-school mass. Following the gathering, the school will be dismissed for the day and priests will be available for pastoral counseling as well as assisting students to cope with their grief.

It added: “I know that in times of difficult news each grieves in their own way. But it is important that we join as a family tomorrow morning. I know Mr. Simmons loved the holy Mass and would want us to come together to grieve his loss and hear the message of our Lord’s loving assistance and peace. Please know of my prayers for you in this moment of sorrow.”

Simmons had served as the principal at the college preparatory school for the last six years and had planned to retire from his post at the end of the present academic year, retaining his teaching position at the institute. Earlier this month, the school had welcomed Sister Sara Kowal as the new principal. As she took the reins of the school, she had nothing but words of praise for her predecessor.

“He has been a gift personally to me all these years and, I know, to each one of us. I’m so grateful for the example he’s set as a leader,” she told the students and staff gathered for the Catholic Schools Week Mass on Feb. 1. “He’s an awesome man who has served this school well,” Sister Sara said, the Catholic Post reported.

Simmons was also given the title of the “Distinguished Principal of the Year” by the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools in December.

“My colleagues here are so good. The people I work with in the diocese — there are so many good principals and so many people doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing the right way,” he told the Catholic Post at the time. “Talk about humbling.”