Simon Dadoun

Simon Dadoun

Simon Dadoun, born in Casablanca, Morocco, passed away on November 26, 2016. He was a lifelong native of Seattle since immigrating to the United States on July 12, 1964. For 50 years he was married to Risha (Bay) Dadoun, a Calgary-born transplant to Seattle who graduated from Roosevelt High School (class of 1962). The two met in Israel during a young Jewish leadership program and were forever hitched - the girl from Seattle marrying an exotic Moroccan with big blue eyes and an alluring moustache.

Before moving to the United States, Simon had work to do in Casablanca as he led an underground network of Moroccan Jews who were secretly ferrying Jews out of Morocco to live freely in Israel. His work left an indelible mark in Morocco and the State of Israel, as this great migration transformed both countries forever. His first son, David, was born in Casablanca and shortly thereafter the family moved to Seattle, never to return. A daughter, Suzie, was the first American in the family, born in Seattle in 1968.

His moving to Seattle led a lifelong yearning for freedom, and to adore all things Americana. English was his fourth language, self-taught, yet with a true immigrant spirit he saw the road to freedom leading to unbounded opportunities. While he worked as a bookkeeper during the day, he went to night school to get an Associate's degree in accounting. As he progressed in his career at Automotive Wholesalers from bookkeeper, to controller, to CFO, he ultimately passed his CPA exams (despite the challenge of English being his fourth language) and then took a detour - courageously starting a practice of his own. To this day, many of his most beloved clients started with him back in 1977, and remained with him until the end. His client list included CEOs of major corporations, NBA basketball superstars, and managers of some of the most imminent rock bands of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s (e.g., Heart, Pearl Jam).

His passion for America resulted in him becoming a fan of country music with the likes of Willie Nelson. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the state fairs. He loved apple pie, BBQ ribs, and American football and took to baseball as his grandson's biggest fan. He also enjoyed boy's night out with his tennis friends. His passion for Judaism flourished, serving as a bar-mitvah teacher to many, co-founding and serving as president of one of the major synagogues in north Seattle (Congregation Beth Shalom), and acting on the boards of the Hebrew Free Loan Society, Jewish Family Services and B'nai Brith.

His mark is broad as it is deep, touching so many lives in Seattle, sparking a current for better opportunities among the tens of thousands of Moroccan Jews who immigrated with his help to Israel, and giving generously to so many - his time, his learned knowledge of Judaism, and supporting so many different charitable causes. His smile will be missed. His imprint on history in Seattle, Morocco and Israel is an enduring legacy to be remembered.

He is survived by his siblings, Maurice Dadoun, Flory Dadoun, Eliza Ezerzer, Albert Dadoun and Solomon Dadoun, his children David (wife Joy and children Alex and Ari) and Suzie Dadoun (husband Marc Isaac and children Eli and Rina).

Services to be held on Tuesday, November 29, at 1:00: Herzl Memorial Park, 16501 Dayton Ave, Seattle, WA 98133. A reception following with a Shiva service will be at Simon's home.