Brian Anthony Simon

Brian Anthony Simon, 78, of Windsor, Ontario, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024, after a courageous 30-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Linda (née Bergman), and his devoted children, Randy (Kelly) and Shauna. He is also survived by his cherished granddaughters, Isla and Charlie, as well as his sisters, Darlene (Ron) and Judy (Darrell), and his beloved nieces and nephews: Ashley, Brent, Lauren, Caitlin, Daniel, Julian, and Erin. Brian is predeceased by his mother, Helen (née Herniman), father, Moses, and brother, Terry.

Born in Harrow, Ontario and raised in Essex, Ontario, Brian began working at Hiram Walker in Windsor at the age of 20, where he dedicated 31 years of his life until retirement. It was there that he met Linda, with whom he shared 52 beautiful years of marriage. Together, they raised their children in Forest Glade, where Brian became an active community member. He devoted his time to coaching his kids in baseball and floor hockey, playing a pivotal role in starting the St. Joseph’s High School baseball team and organizing fundraising events through the Parents Association.

Brian’s passion for youth and music was evident in his long-standing involvement with the Windsor Optimist Youth Band, where he served as treasurer and co-chair for nearly 25 years. His motto, "Keeping the kids on the street," reflected his commitment to fostering a supportive environment for young musicians. He was known for his grand ideas that led to exciting adventures, such as taking the marching band to Germany and the Calgary Stampede.

An avid fan of the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers, Brian cherished many sports outings with his son. He loved people and any opportunity to be social. He enjoyed being part of his community, whether through his bowling league, the Optimist Club of Windsor, or coaching his daughter in her own bowling league. He had an exceptional knack for remembering birthdays and anniversaries, always making those around him feel welcome and loved. He captured countless memories with his amateur photography skills, often making his subjects hold their poses for an excruciatingly long time.

The family would like to thank the medical teams at Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital for their care and compassion during Brian’s final days.

Brian has been cremated, and a celebration of life will take place on Sunday, November 24th, at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre in Kitchener, Ontario 1:00 pm-4:00 pm with a family service at 1:30 pm. He would want everyone to gather, share stories, laugh, hug, and continue to make memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the MS Community Windsor & Essex County, where the proceeds will directly benefit individuals living with MS. eTransfers can be sent to [email protected], and donation envelopes will be available for cheque contributions at the celebration of life. Please be sure to include your name, address, and “in memory of Brian Simon” for all eTransfers.