George Bernard Simon

Dad was born in Canso to the late Abraham and Julia (Isaac) Simon on October 9, 1933. He spent his early childhood in this small fishing village with his sister Mary Ann (Bill Durnin) and his brother Alex (Edwina Ryan) before he moved to Halifax at 14 to attend St. Mary’s College. A few years later, he met Lorraine Young on a blind date and knew he had found the love of his life.

Dad and Mom married in October 1954 and had four daughters: Paula (Robert Chisholm), Dena, Katherine (Paul Beaudette) and Kimberley (Laurie Power); seven grandchildren: Simon and Jessie Chisholm, Benjamin and Clare (Beaudette) Simon, and Alexander, Matthew and Liam Power; and one great-grandson, Ellis Power.

He spent his career in the Insurance Industry, mostly as an independent broker, but his real passion was the sea. He loved sailing and had several boats, each named The Padekaki…the first two letters of his daughters’ names. Dad was always keen to get out on the water and was eager to introduce his grandchildren to the joys of sailing. They nicknamed him Captain Jit, a shortened version of the Lebanese word for grandfather.

As he built his family and career, Dad joined the Knights of Columbus. Over his many years of service, he had leadership roles on the local, regional, and international levels. He was elected to the Supreme Board of Directors where his responsibilities took him across North America. He and Mom travelled to Rome and met Pope John Paul II in a private audience…an experience that profoundly affected them.

Dad had many friends through his personal life, the Knights, his neighbours, his working colleagues and customers, and through meeting parents and kids at his grandchildren’s activities. Jitty was always in the stands cheering for his grandkids.

In addition to his immediate family and siblings, Dad is survived by dear relatives in both his and Mom’s families including many nieces and nephews who fondly remember Uncle George. When he was around, there was always lots of fun and laughter.

Dad and Mom shared a married life for over 60 years until her death in 2015, but in truth, they are married forever. He was predeceased by his parents and his first grandchild, Simon Chisholm.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to Steven Greencorn and Richard Crooks who were Dad’s personal care workers for the past seven years. We would also like to thank the staff at the QEII Emergency Department and the Halifax Infirmary for taking care of him during his final days until his death on February 20, 2020.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday February 26 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday February 27 at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Church on Purcell’s Cove Road.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Arthritis Society.

To leave on-line condolences, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com