Obituary of David A. Simon

David A. Simon Clinton David A. Simon, 58, of Martin Road, Clinton, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2012, at the Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital. Diagnosed in 2008 with advanced stage colon cancer, David fought the disease with extraordinary courage, heart and optimism. Born October 3, 1953, to the late Joseph and Sylvia (Lane) Simon in Buffalo, David later moved to Rome and then Clinton when he became a corrections officer at the Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome. He retired in 2008. In Buffalo, he had worked for his family's business, Simon Auto Parts. David graduated from Bennett High School in Buffalo and attended Niagara University. On August 7, 1994, he married Kim Landon of Clinton. An avid sports fan, David was a passionate supporter of the Utica College hockey team and their coach, Gary Heenan. He loved following local sports teams and had stood by the railing at many a Clinton High School hockey games. He loved the Utica Blue Sox and his heart was broken when they left town. His passion extended also to the Boilermaker Road Race, which he ran five times. Perhaps one of the greatest losses his disease visited upon him was his inability to run, but he kept the dream alive by walking in the Boilermaker 3-mile walk, and by seeing his granddaughter, Isabelle, participate in the Kids' Run. A baseball lover, David considered the Baseball Hall of Fame to be in his own backyard and attended several induction ceremonies and other events there. One of his favorite stories was how he sat in the photographers' section with his instamatic camera when his wife arranged press passes to the induction of her favorite player, Paul Molitor. Upon his retirement, David fulfilled another dream and became a volunteer at the Stanley Theater. He loved the building and the shows, but what he enjoyed most was volunteering at the childrens' performances. He couldn't get enough of the Stanley and just days before his death had mailed in his volunteer assignment sheet for this spring. In Buffalo, David belonged to the Knights of Pythias and participated in the Utica chapter as well. He was also a member of the Mohawk Valley Chapter of Toastmasters International. Surviving are his wife, Kim ("The Queen"); two daughters, Julie Crossman, of Nassau, and Kate Silverstrim, of Syracuse; granddaughter, Isabelle, his "Peanut"; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Nancy Simon, of Eunice, LA, and Peter and Barbara Simon, of Williamsville; and one brother-in-law, the Rev. Jeff Landon, of Flora, IN. He was especially close to his nieces and nephews-in-law, Becky Simon and Chris Agee, of Denver, CO, and Jessica and Brendan Murphy, of Williamsville, and the most recent light added to his life, great-niece Eleanor "Peachy" Murphy. In addition, David is survived by his aunt, Arlene Kantor, of Georgia; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins and dear friends, including Paul Sancomb, Lynne Daly, Debbie and Charlie McClallen, Leslie and Stewart Bormann and "the pool ladies". Perhaps missing him most of all will be his walking companion and napping buddy, Cooper. David would want to thank everyone who has extended a kindness to him and his family during his illness, but most especially to his "angels" at the Faxton Regional Cancer Center as well as Dr. Atul Butala and Windy Mitchell. His family would also like to thank Dr. William Krause and his staff as well as the incredibly caring staff of the St. Luke's Hospital Emergency Department who tried so valiantly to keep David with us a little bit longer. In David's memory, please consider a donation to the Stanley Center for the Arts, 261 Genesee St., Utica, to the American Cancer Society, or to your favorite animal rescue organization. Relatives and friends are invited to call Tuesday (today), January 10, 2012, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at the Utica College Library Concourse, Burrstone Road, Utica. David requested that everyone attending his memorial service wear apparel from their favorite sports team! So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again Oh babe, I hate to go.