Simon passed away in his sleep on February 20, 2023, at age 64. He is lovingly remembered by his brother David and sister-in-law Kim (Stratford), his nieces Megan (Guelph) and Gillian (North Vancouver), and his many friends and colleagues. Simon was predeceased by his father Ian (2015) and mother Averil (2022).

Simon was born in Manchester, England in 1958. Ten years later, in 1968, the family (Simon, brother David, and parents Ian and Averil) emigrated to Canada and settled in Dundas, Ontario.

After David met Kim, Simon and his parents were welcomed into the Hoogerdyk clan and enjoyed celebrating special occasions and holidays together. Although he lived in Canada for most of his life, friends and family can confirm that he held onto a slight British accent, as well as an abiding love for Coronation St, Maltesers and Manchester United.

Simon did undergraduate studies at Western University, then completed law school at the University of Toronto. He also earned a Master’s of Public Administration from Queen’s University. He was called to the bar in 1984 and began work as a tax lawyer with the firm Goodman and Goodman.

Simon spent some time working in Toronto and Edmonton, before moving to Ottawa to work for the federal government. Nieces Megan and Gillian particularly enjoyed his time in Ottawa as it meant several March break trips with skating along the Rideau canal, museum visits, and Senators games. After years of intensive, but ultimately ineffective, government-funded French lessons, Simon returned to Toronto to work for the anglophone Ontario government. Simon retired from practicing law in 2019.

An avid soccer player, Simon played with several clubs in the Toronto area including Downtown Soccer Toronto. Although health issues prevented him from being as active in the last few years, Simon still stayed as involved as he could with soccer and volleyball groups in the city.

Simon’s competitive nature extended well beyond the soccer pitch, and he took particular delight at any victory won over his brother David, from the traditional Scrabble games to the more arbitrary victories such as settling the question of “who is taller?”. Although the height question was probably settled around 1975, it continued to be a source of pride, and a good way to put a pin on any victory.

Simon’s life cannot be adequately captured in these few paragraphs. He was a keen reader, a well informed citizen, a dedicated lawyer, and a huge Survivor fan. Simon appreciated good food, he enjoyed travelling and he was thrilled to have watched live soccer matches on three continents. He had a wonderful dry sense of humour - which could sometimes be expressed through just a raised eyebrow in your direction. Simon will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.

Sincere thanks are extended to the entire transplant team at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, and all of Simon’s health care providers at the University Health Network.

As someone whose life was saved by a heart transplant, Simon and the rest of the Thompson family remain immensely grateful for all those who choose to become organ donors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the United Way, or consider registering as an organ donor.