Simon was born on 12th October 1958 in Porthcawl, Wales, and was the fourth child. His sister Jenny is the eldest, and then brother Andrew. He was followed shortly by his sister Sarah, then Simon and then little Adam, known to his family as Joe. The family moved many times during their father's lifetime, and I remember his father telling me that home was where he hung his hat and where Mum was.
Simon's education included two exclusive schools, Aldro and Charterhouse. Most of his stories involved shooting and cricket, and later, motorbikes and mini cars.
Simon and I met in 1980 at Kingston Polytechnic, both studying accountancy, and although we hated each other on first sight, somehow got over that temporary hitch and married in 1984.
He had a great love of going fast on a motorbike, but as the roads became busier, his self preservation instinct took over and he moved his exploits mainly onto the track, not in competition so much as just enjoying track days. The motorbikes faded out of his life gradually around the time his children were born. The first, Tom was born in 1989, and David followed later in 1994.
Simon was a great dad, and especially in the early years enjoyed seeing the world through the childrens' eyes with me.
Due to hearing difficulties his early career didn't go exactly to plan, but Simon was never one to slack off, and he spent a great number of years in the building trade. Always a perfectionist, his particular skill was plastering and there are a great many super smooth walls and ceilings in the world which were plastered and then decorated by Simon. Not one to use masking tape, he could perfectly paint a set of georgian windows with never a wrong stroke, as painting was another key skill.
He started the bike shop in 1997, and that was his work for the rest of his life, interspersed with intense periods of looking after his lawn and flower beds.
He sadly fell ill at the tail end of 2015, and in July 2016 was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the worst. He battled with it strongly and determinedly through Christmas 2016, and right through until September 2017, when after a pioneering treatment which should have saved his life, the cancer metastasised and suddenly took over too quickly to be treated. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 30th in my arms, at home with his family.
Simon's personal integrety is one of the things I will always remember, he was the most honest and loyal man I have ever met. Difficult to get close to, but worth persevering for, he will be sorely missed by myself and all his family.
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