Michael John Simon

A Passionate Sportsman
These are the totems Michael J. Simon's three young children decided to place alongside an urn containing ashes from the World Trade Center at the memorial service for their father, an energy broker for Cantor Fitzgerald:

A bathing suit and a bicycle helmet worn by Tyler during lessons from Dad that helped him master swimming and cycling; a softball trophy won by his daughter, Brittany; and the favorite golf club, a driver with accurate aim, which he used on outings with Michael Jr.

Their father was a sportsman whose passions rubbed off on them; though lacrosse and hockey had been Michael's activities in college, and golf and tennis were his weekend-warrior pursuits after graduating to Wall Street, he set aside time to coach the soccer teams of all three children, and a fourth squad.

No wonder 1,100 mourners showed up at his memorial.

His dream was to start a lacrosse league in Harrington Park, N.J., where he and his wife, Eileen, bought a house 13 years ago. He had not yet made it come true, but he was only 40; he imagined he would get around to it.

"He lived life with no regrets," his wife said.


Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 17, 2001.


Michael John Simon, a coach at heart In today's fast-paced world where few have time to volunteer to help others, Michael John Simon found time to coach his children, as well as kids from his Harrington Park neighborhood in Bergen County.

Whether it was helping with the youth soccer, baseball or softball teams in the borough, Mr. Simon, 40, who lost his life in the terrorist attack last week, loved interacting with kids.

"He would make the time," said his wife of 13 years, Eileen (Isacsen) Simon. "Our whole weekends were centered around children."

"It's just unbelievable the outpouring of support," Mrs. Simon. Hundreds of neighbors have visited the Simons' home, bringing food, gifts and condolences. "I am getting a tremendous amount of strength from the community now."

Well-wishes have even come from England, where Mr. Simon lived and worked for three years up until 1997. Mr. Simon was active in the Parent Teachers Association at the St. Thomas School in England, where a Mass was held last week in his honor and other terrorist attack victims.

Mr. Simon was at work as an energy broker for the securities firm Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, when the jetliner crashed into offices just a few floors below.

Even though Mr. Simon often worked long hours, the responsibilities of his job did not stop him from sharing his love for sports with the children in his neighborhood.

"There wasn't a sport he didn't love to play and watch," Mrs. Simon said.

A native of Rye, N.Y., Mr. Simon graduated in 1979 from Rye County Day School, then attained a degree in economics and religion from Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y. Mr. Simon was an outstanding athlete, enjoying ice hockey, lacrosse, tennis and golf.

While in college, he and a friend completed a cross-country bicycle trip from Seattle, Wash., to Geneva.

Outgoing and generous, Mr. Simon was a "tremendous man of integrity and liked everybody for who they were," Mrs. Simon said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Simon is survived by his three children, Brittany Radcliffe, 12; Michael John Jr., 10, and Tyler Ingram, 5; his brother, Scott Simon, and three sisters, Christine Coats, and Kathleen and Patricia Simon.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Closter.

In lieu of flowers, a special fund in remembrance of Mr. Simon has been established for his three children. Donations can be sent to: College Bound Fund, c/o Scott Simon, 95 Ferris Hill Road, New Canaan, Conn. 06840.