The first time I heard Simon’s name was in the mid 1970’s when Kate came home from school and was talking about ‘That Simon Pick’ when she started middle school, this went on for two or three years.  They then went to different high schools and Simon’s name wasn’t mentioned again until she left school and started going out in Newcastle at night.
 
Then they met up again and it wasn’t long until we got the meet ‘That Simon Pick’.  From the very first meeting I knew that they would be together forever.  Simon encouraged Kate to reach for the stars, supporting her when she was studying for her degree when their children were young, and he was so proud of her achievements. 
 
Kate is a very strong person, and a lot of her strength came from Simon, who she always said was her rock.  They were the perfect partnership and complemented each other’s personalities, where Kate is very outgoing, Simon was happy to be more reserved.  He was always there for her, supporting, encouraging and just being Simon.  They were very happily married for 35 years and he still looked at her like he did when they were 18.
 
Simon was an amazing Dad to their three children and was always very hands on (even at a time when men generally didn’t change nappies – Simon did).  Holly, Matt and Rosie adored and respected their Dad and will miss him forever.  He was also a fantastic Grandad (BobBob) to Theo and loved to spend time with little Theo, teaching a new generation how to be gentle, kind and supportive.
 
Me and my family will never forget Simon, the world is a much sadder place without him in it, but it has been an absolute pleasure to share our lives with him and we will never forget his kindness and quiet strength.
 
That Simon Pick, thank you for looking after my little sister for all of these years, you are truly one in a million and we will miss you every day, you will never be forgotten and we will treasure our memories of you.