Michael Stuart Simon passed away on the 13th of February, 2021 at the age of 79.He was born to Bert and Ida Simon of Maplewood, New Jersey. Covid-19 hastened his demise, which may have been a blessing of sorts. He would have hated the incarceration that dementia and infirmity bring. Over the past few years, he had been declining both physically as well as mentally. His wife, Gale Stevenson Simon, was his primary caretaker. She took great care of him: doling out his medications, making sure that he had an abundant supply of his favorite foods (muffins and such) and keeping episodes of The Incredible Dr. Pol available for him on the television.
I think that Michael would want to be remembered as a skilled construction lawyer, and prolific author and teacher on the same subject. While a student of architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he was told that he would make a mediocre architect. Being condemned to average wasn’t an option. He enjoyed the best of things and wanted to be “The Best” at whatever he chose as a profession. He attended the University of Maryland and incorporated his interest in architecture with his new found career as a lawyer and carved out a niche for himself in a highly specified industry.
Even as his lucidity was waning, he maintained his legalese jargon. He always spoke in absolutes and wrote in only caps. Michael liked to command a room and be in charge. He loved being at the head of the table, working for himself, and thinking outside the box. He proudly enjoyed watching his boys engage in their athletic pursuits and attended countless kung fu tournaments, gymnastic exhibitions and lacrosse games. In his later years, he maintained an active role in supporting his sons’ growing artistic endeavors in music and tattoo arts respectively.
In his younger years, Michael enjoyed painting, scuba diving, underwater photography, racquetball, chopping wood, bike riding (20 plus miles daily) and swimming (in a way too small neon orange speedo across a mile long lake). He reveled in good food (the meat component he would smoke in a big green egg) good drink (gin and tonic with a twist of lime) and a convivial fire in a stone hearth. While he didn’t connect to many people, those with which he did appreciated his dry sense of humor as well as his good-hearted nature. He cherished, valued and kept the friends he had.
He is survived by his wife Gale, his sons Brett and Noah, and his two daughters from a previous marriage, Ilyse Simon and Arlyn Nathan. He was also the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Calev and Bashert Rabe Simon, as well as Aviva, Asher and Arielle Nathan. He will be remembered fondly.
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Simon family.
Michael will always be fondly remembered.
Juliana Stancati Bodner
Many wonderful memories of family seders in Maplewood ad Jersey City with the cousins together, frequently in a park with a half crazed Simon dog running wildly amongst us, and then all returning to dinner en famille, with the various “generations of cousns” of whom temichael and I were the youngest (following David, Arnold and Alan). Always fun and enveloped in family hysteria them all and hope for a rapid return to good health for Gale and Noah. Seth & Janet
Micheal was a singular person. There was no one like Michael. He was as tenacious in his practice at law as he was in loving his family. He always had time to speak with and listen to you. I was fortunate to be Michael’s law partner in the 1990’s. I was more fortunate to be invited into the family. Having just lost my parents in the last couple of months I know the pain of loss being experienced by Arlen, Ilyse, Noah, Brett and Gale. My family and I express our heartfelt condolences and pray your pain eases as you remember Michael and his extra large, compassionate personality.