John Simon touched many lives in an illustrious career

SUZANNE BELLING

In a tribute to him, Michael Bagraim, MP, fellow attorney and former national chairman of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, said Simon worked tirelessly for the betterment of everyone with whom he came into contact.

Simon’s family had to share him with a society which gained so richly from his involvement, Bagraim said.

Simon’s communal involvement included serving as chairman of the Cape Council of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, executive member of the Zionist Federation and adviser to United Herzlia Schools. He was also a trustee of the Kaplan Centre at UCT.

He was a widely-read academic on many topics and disciplines. His involvement with the Jacob Gitlin Library was well known. His knowledge of Jewish scripture and law was renowned. He was also a raconteur and great listener, with impeccable manners and sartorial elegance.

Simon’s law career spanned well over 50 years.

Patric Gamble, a justice of the Western Cape High Court, said in a letter to the family that Simon’s presence had been such that he was known to some as the “Admiral”, because of the way in which he swept into court with the fleet in tow – his handpicked captains behind him.

A devoted family man, Simon was devastated by the death of his wife a few weeks earlier.

He was a giant in everything he touched, Bagraim commented.   

He was buried at the Pinelands cemetery in Cape Town.

Simon leaves his three sons, Mark, Jeremy and Trevor, their spouses and their families