Joseph Michael Simon

Joseph Michael “Mr. Joe” “Big Joe” Simon Joseph Michael Simon, a well renowned, Traditional Dixieland Jazz Band Leader, died on September 12, 2015, after a lengthy illness. He was 81 years of age. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 62 years, Jewel Gourrier Simon. Joseph is survived by four loving daughters: Angela Marie, Judith Ann, Lynne S. Jalvia and Lois Annette Simon. He was the proud and doting grandfather of Gregory Jalvia II (Lisa) and Lyndsey J. Jackson (Jedidiah). Joe was blessed on September 2, 2015, with the birth of his first great grandson, Deacon Joseph Jalvia. Joseph was also survived by his mother in law, Ernestine Gourrier. Joe was a committed and devoted husband, father, and family man. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Augustine Simon, brother Jerald Simon, and father in law, John J. Gourrier. Joe leaves his devoted wife, family, loving cousins, and a host of friends to cherish his memory. The Simon-Gourrier Family would like to thank Joe’s personal caregivers: Ms. Tonya Glover, Tyronne Gayden, and cousin Monica Richard-Gamble. In addition, thanks is expressed to Ann Merchant, RN, the staff of Bayou Home Health and Shameka Turner, RN, and the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospice. The family would like to thank all of the Camp St. neighbors who assisted in Joe’s care when called upon in the time of need. Thanks are also extended to Joe’s two medical care teams: New Orleans Davita Dialysis - Touro, Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, Dr. Charles Smith, III, Dr. Frank Wilkow, and Dr. Ronald Schwartz; the Baton Rouge Medical Team: Dr. John Fraiche, Dr. Norman Deumite, Dr. Mark Posner, Dr. Mahesh Bassisreddy, and Dr. H. Kawji. Funeral services will be held on September 19, 2015, at Good Shepherd Parish (St. Stephen’s Catholic Church), 1025 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70115. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM, and Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10:30AM. Mass will begin promptly at 12:00 noon. Reverend Monseigneur Christopher Nalty, Officiant. The Board of Directors and Staff of the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, employees of Joe Simon’s Jazz, Inc., Orleans Parish Public Schools - Music Dept., U.S. Postal Service, Peoples Health, St. Joseph’s Hospice, Bayou Home Health, Davita Dialysis - Touro, Knights of Peter Claver - St. Raymond are invited to attend the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joseph M. Simon Award in Jazz Scholarship Fund at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts Institute (NOCCA). Also, donations can be made to the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church Renovations Fund. Lake Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Internment will be private.