Lasting Memories

Sidney Simon
March 26, 1917-Oct. 26, 2018
Palo Alto, California

Sid Simon, long time resident of Palo Alto, passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 26, 2018 at the age of 101. His wonderful caregivers and family had surrounded him with love as he was nearing the end of his well lived life. Born in Detroit, March 26, 1917, Sid moved with his family at the age of two to Los Angeles, He later moved to the Bay Area starting off in Berkeley and finally settling in Palo Alto in 1954.

Early on, Sid discovered a passion for tennis that continued throughout his life. He started with pickup games at the public park where he eventually got good enough to compete in various city and high school tournaments. A highlight was a doubles match where at the age of 15, Sid and his partner defeated Bobby Riggs It was quite the upset at the time since Bobby was a national champion and later Hall of Famer, just starting his career. Sid continued to play tennis throughout his life until a torn rotator cuff at the age of 87 took him out of the game. He was frequently seen playing at the Eichler Swim & Tennis Club where he was also in the 100 mile lap swim club. He also was a long time member of the Inverness Tennis Club joining when he bought his second home there around 1967.

Sid was always most proud of his 55-year marriage to pianist and Stanford University music professor Naomi Sparrow. They met at a gathering in Berkeley in 1943, and after their first date got married two weeks later. Sid had graduated from University of California, Berkeley, and was working as a chemist at the Mare Island Navy Base. Naomi was about to leave for Chicago for three months to study music. After her return, they quickly knew that their short engagement and elopement was the real deal. Sid and Naomi eventually came to Palo Alto in 1954 when he took a job as a paint chemist at Benjamin Moore and they found their "forever home."

He often said how lucky he was to have found her. "We never had an argument in our whole life. You know why? She was always right. There was nothing to argue about. She was so wonderful." Sid called Naomi his bride from the day they married until the day she passed in 1998.

With 40 years to enjoy his retirement, Sid continued his love of tennis and opened a retail tennis store in midtown Palo Alto. After closing the shop he participated in many local activities groups including water aerobics at the YMCA, a book club, Torah study and a recorder playing group. He had taught himself how to play the recorder and eventually joined the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra where he earned an honorary lifetime membership after participating for more than 50 years. Sid is predeceased by his wife Naomi. He is survived by his daughter Laurie Miller, son Jeffrey Simon, grandsons Joshua Miller, Caleb Simon and Topher Villasimon and great-grandsons Jayden Simon & Ryiden Villasimon and great granddaughter baby Isla Rose.