Simon was born 11^th March 1953 in Egypt, where his father was stationed after the war.  He was the youngest of three children, after returning to England his parents settled in Ealing, where he went to St Benedict’s School, and continued to live the rest of his life in W4.

 

He was a very successful local businessman.  After leaving school he started work in a local estate agency however after a few years his entrepreneurial spirit led him with a partner to found his own agency, which became and remains one of the leading agencies in the area.  His love of property led him to become a successful property developer and investor which even lead him to owning and running 3 public houses.  Also, he was an investor/partner in both a travel agency and employment agency businesses.

 

However, primarily, Si was a family man. He left behind his wife Mary and children, Patrick, Tomasina, Christopher and Swoizic who were all the love of his life, He would do anything and everything for his family. After them, he had many other passions, the main ones were, in no particular order: Centaurs; England; horses and pubs.

 

He was larger than life, unique, a true Centaur’s legend with an indomitable spirit and unparalleled attitude to life. In the true sense of the word, he was a raconteur, a funny and remarkable storyteller.  He believed that nobody is a stranger, they are just somebody you haven’t met yet. 

 

Simon joined Centaurs’ Rugby Club over 40 years ago and with his usual vigour threw himself wholeheartedly initially into the rugby club and later also the golf society. He primarily played at No 8 for 1^st and 2nd teams and could talk his way through almost every try he scored, although as I would remind him, that’s because there weren’t that many. Later he became was a very proud chairman of the rugby club.  In the golf society he could also describe every good drive, chip and putt in his rounds of golf.  The friends he played with were royally entertained around the course and more so in the bar afterwards where he could, and did, hold court.  Listen for the sound of laughter and you would find him.

 

He was a dedicated tourist in both sports, never flinching from the rigours of drinking and the trials of fancy dress day. Who can forget him turning up for one rugby tour with a full, properly starched and dyed 6-inch-high Mohican haircut. A stunt that he had secretly planned for months.

 

On a golf tour in Devon, he was caught very short after a dodgy meal and was heard and seen, from far away, driving his buggy at full speed past the members on their tees and fairways, shouting “sorry, coming through, I’ve got a problem”.   I think he was using his driving skills acquired when, whilst all eyes were on the firework display, he borrowed the new Jaguar XK8 from H R Owen, on the formal release night. He returned it some 10 minutes later, claiming couldn’t really understand what all the fuss was about, as he legged it down the road. 

 

His friends all have favourite memories of his antics and endeavours but could never try to compete with the comedy and fun that he could lace into each story.   How often did we all hear the phrase “I have an idea”, followed by him singing ‘There may be trouble ahead’.

 

He loved the England rugby team, being a debenture holder at Twickenham for some 30 years, and was never prouder than standing rigidly upright belting out the National Anthem and Jerusalem.

 

Simon had many friends to whom he was a loyal and trustworthy mate. He, unlike most of us, would never lose touch. He was always happy to ring or message if there was a problem or just for a chat to keep in touch.

 

He was a true lover of life, with a sense of fun and certainly left nothing in the changing room of life.   He was one of the strongest, most courageous and funniest men I have known, although his death was sudden in the end, his life wasn’t at all faint.

 

For many years he bravely fought illness in a dignified and defiant manner and passed away on the 10 July 2021.

 

He was the best friend anyone could have I couldn’t have chosen a better best mate.

 

We all will miss him dearly, but I am so grateful and proud to have known him.

 

Bob Myhill