SimonM died this morning (30 Dec)

[SimonM]

I'm sorry to let you know that SimonM, my husband, died this morning in hospital in Sheffield after a short illness.

We moved from East Dulwich to Yorkshire last December, back to where Simon grew up, but I know he was still an enthusiastic reader of this forum. Thsoe of you who have met him will know he was severely disabled, and his computer and the internet was his lifeline to the world outside.

Thank you all for being such great friends, supporters and sparring partners to Simon, the most wonderful man in the world.

RuthMcT

[ClareC]

So sorry to hear your sad news, please accept my condolences. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Thank you for taking the time to let us know

C x

[david_carnell]

Dear Ruth

As a Leeds Utd fan I spent many a time joshing with Simon about our South/West Yorks rivalry. His love of the Blades defied all known logic!

He was an eloquent writer; funny and always good natured. I only met him once in person but am pleased to have done so.

His absence from the forum of late has not gone unnoticed. He will be greatly missed here and no doubt elsewhere. We are all poorer for your loss.

You have my deepest condolences. If you are collecting for charity in remembrance, please let me know.

With sympathy,

David.

[maxxi]

My sincere condolences and sympathy Ruth.

I never met SimonM but enjoyed a lot of his posts and also sparring with him whether it was football or apostrophes. I can only echo what Clare and DC have said - the forum will be poorer without him.

[Moos]

Ruth, thank you so much for taking the time to let his many friends on the forum know. I never met Simon in person, but exchanged posts with him many times. His sharp wit and kind humour made him a gem of the community.

I am so sorry for your grief and loss. Please let us know if we can contribute to or be part of an Internet memorial for Simon. He will be long remembered here.

[Jah Lush]

Ruth, Having never met Simon I can only echo the above sentiments. He was obviously devoted to his beloved Sheffield United as the many of his posts on the football thread will testify. He was a fine and at times witty contributor to this forum and will be sorely missed. All I can offer are my sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to you and your family's very sad loss. RIP SimonM.

[PeckhamRose]

I echo the posts above - I never met him but his posts were a joy to read.

Our thoughts are with you and I hope you can take some comfort from how many of us thought so well of him.

[Townleygreen]

Ruth,

Thanks for letting us know.

I support all that has been said already about Simon.

I would like to offer you my deepest condolences to you and your family.

[bonniebird]

I'm very sorry for your loss :( I saw SimonM's name on here quite a lot xxx

[StraferJack]

Devastated to hear the news today.

Thank you Ruth for taking the time as others have said - it must be a very difficult time for you and it was a real pleasure to meet you both (I believe I squealed "you're my favourite poster" when I first met Simon outside the Clock House during a Barry Barry road race)

He was, as you say, the most wonderful man

StraferJack (nee SeanMacGabhann)

[citizenED]

That is really sad news. Glad that the Forum provided him with an obviously much appreciated link to the East Dulwich Community. Sorry to hear of your loss. citizenEd

[GSJ57]

So very sorry for your loss.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

[LadyDeliah]

I just want to add that it was Simon who gave me my first fix of The Wire when he lent me the box sets for series 1 and 2.

Really sad to hear he has passed away, he was a lovely guy.

[Otta]

Nothing new to add, just shocked and saddened.

Sorry for your loss Ruth, I hope his suffering was minimal!

[Alan Medic]

Hi Ruth

I too associated Simon with his football team. The loss of someone so close is hard. I hope you don't mind my quoting a part from a favourite book of mine. It's called The Prophet and sometimes I refer to it when looking for some understanding. I hope you like it.

On Death

Than Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."

And he said:

You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.

Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.

Is the sheered not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?

Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides....?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

[Chener Books]

When I remember the duo of Simon McT and Victor Parsons in action it will always bring a smile to my face.

Peace be with you.

John Kennedy

[monica]

Ruth, I echo the forumites, sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Oh Ruth, I am so sad to hear this.

Simon was such a funny and clever man and the forum is a lot poorer without him. He correctly identified me from my posts and approached me on Peckham Rye when I was walking the dog - I was so thrilled to meet him at last.

You were both a lovely part of our community and my thoughts are with you.

[the-e-dealer]

Fixed his PC a couple of times - nice bloke sorry to hear this and thanks for telling us.

[Sue]

Very sorry to hear this.

Alan M, that's a lovely quote from The Prophet.

[Laddy Muck]

I am so sorry to learn of Simon's death. Your pain must be close to unbearable, and my heart goes out to you.

I never met Simon either, but felt I knew him a little via his - often - insightful posts. One, for me in particular, stands out: it concerned a friend who had checked herself into Dignitas. Simon's advice (to go and say goodbye to her) helped me enormously. His posts gave him enormous presence, and, I too, shall miss him.

Simon also made me chuckle, with his support for the "Blades". If you would like a hand-knitted Sheffield United scarf as an unusual tribute for Simon's funeral, please let me know. It would be a pleasure to knit one and send it to you by Special Delivery.

I can only hope that you were able to say goodbye to your beloved husband and that your final moments together will serve to comfort you in the coming months. I am certain - from your post - that you have many wonderful memories to treasure and that these will also help to sustain you.

Ruth, thank you so much for starting this thread. It could not have been an easy task. I pray that such strength and courage remain with you.

Big hug.

[Horsebox]

This is very sad news.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

[bob]

Ditto.

Bob S

[????]

Not much I can add really but remember many debates about the Tevez Scandal and sharing memories of Tony Curry sitting on a football on Match of the Day, so sorry to hear this news. Thoughts are with you.

[hpsaucey]

Dear Ruth.

Another poster with nothing new to add to the comments above - so very sorry for your loss. I hope you have support up there to help you in these difficult times.

Helen