ALVIN SIMON

Alvin Simon  
Born March 14, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Al (as all his friends called him) btw: Al never met anyone who wasn't a friend) raised in South Philadelphia by two parents who emigrated from Russia. He passed away on December 20, 2018. Al never finished a formal education. But that did not stop him from success. He worked as a flight engineer/mechanic for TWA during his early twenties. Which stationed him in Brazil, Portugal and Iceland before coming back to the DC to marry Elva Jacqueline Edward's and start a family and a new emerging business - a beverage dispensing company he named Sodibar Systems. A Washington stable for the hospitality industry. Al had a wish list as a child that his only sister Selma shared with some people as he became successful. Which had a home, airplane, boat and Rolls Royce on it. He accomplished all of his wishes. You have to add helicopter to that. He rode an Indian motorcycle during the start of his business. And actually, made deliveries on it. He never found a crossroad in life that he couldn't handle, go around or maneuver that would not make it work for him. His love of boating started in the late 50's and blossomed in to a second passion of boating safety.  AL served from 1972 to 1995 on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council and its various subcommittees. He also served as President of the National Boating Federation, Commander of the Potomac River Power Squadron and Director of the American Boat and Yacht Council. Was an ardent activist for the development of safe and effective inflatable personal flotation devices. He was a past commodore of Selby Bay Yacht Club as well as Commander of the Potomac River Power Squadron.  He lost his wife, life partner and counselor, Jackee in 2010 on the eve of their 62-wedding anniversary. After her death he always said, "I might find a new partner, but no one will ever match or replace Jackee." He never found anyone. He had two sons, Geary and Mark (Nina). Many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. There was a graveside ceremony on December 21 at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Adelphi, MD.