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Post by graemek on Jun 4, 2007 2:14:25 GMT
Thank you both Gerrit & Fusilier,
Amen & thanks for your words of Eternal Comfort.
I've never met either Keith or Simon but I'm shedding tears just the same.
Graeme
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Jun 4, 2007 5:12:53 GMT
I'm utterly saddened to learn that Simon passed away on Sunday. Thank you Gerrit and Steven O for informing us and also for your thoughtful words.
Although I've only corresponded with Simon several times, I could tell that he was a wonderful person, full of life's vigour.
Along with Keith, Simon has created an irresistible website and forum for Hayley. I was pleased that, in the site's early days, they welcomed me to the HWI Family with open arms. Since then, through their creation, I have chatted with so many wonderful people from all corners of the Earth. I've had the good fortune of meeting several, wonderful, member friends.
Both Keith and Simon were part of the inspiration for creating my own Proboards forum.
I trust that, this very moment, dear Simon is listening to the voices of real angels. And Keith and Simon are reunited once again.
Rest in eternal peace, my friend. The Lord has called you home.
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Post by milewalker on Jun 4, 2007 5:25:54 GMT
Thank you, all of you.
The world is now a bleaker place.
God bless you Simon. I am glad to have become your friend
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Post by roger on Jun 4, 2007 7:39:07 GMT
Having recently become involved with HWI, I first met Simon and Keith in December 2003. By chance, they sat a few rows in front of me in the Royal Albert Hall. As I waited for Hayley's appearance, I kept looking in their direction, aware that these were the two guys who had the foresght to create a fansite called Hayley Westenra International. I somehow expected they would continue to run the site for twenty, thirty, perhaps forty years. I never would have believed we would lose Keith within two years.
And now Simon has left us to be reunited with his HWI partner. As has been acknowleged, at least he is no longer suffering.
What I remember more than anything in their incredible sense of humour which they bounced off one another to the great amusement of all around.
Simon, like Keith, your humour, your dedication to Hayley, and you spirit will live on in the site that you created. May you rest in peace.
Roger
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Post by Stephany on Jun 4, 2007 8:29:25 GMT
I'm extremely saddened to hear this.
Like Graeme, I've never met either Keith or Simon but I know they provided a unique & thoughtful work as well as a generous dedication to Hayley.
I extend my deepest sympathies and best wishes to Simon’s family and friends.
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Post by Richard on Jun 4, 2007 8:51:46 GMT
I'm also very sad to hear the news about Simon. May he now rest in peace in the knowledge that the good work he started with Keith in founding HWI will continue, and we will always remember both of them.
My thoughts and good wishes go out to Simon's family and friends.
Richard
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Post by Andrew on Jun 4, 2007 9:30:42 GMT
Hi All,
I am also very saddened to hear that Simon has passed away- rest in peace Simon. I know that Roger and Dave together with all the members of 'HWI' will continue to maintain the extemely high standards of the 'HWI' Website which Simon and Keith originally set out to achieve through their dedication to support and promote Hayley's work.
Andrew
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Post by gerrit on Jun 4, 2007 22:09:16 GMT
My main memory about both Simon and Keith dates back to Cardiff, March 28, 2004, at the Hayley Westenra concert at St. David's Hall there. Hayley's guest artist at that concert was Katherine Jenkins ....
I was privileged to introduce Simon and Keith to another Welsh singer at that concert, Holly Holyoake. Out of that meeting of Hayley fans, Holly's fansite Holly-Holyoake-International originated - the lay-out, background and buttons were designed by Simon, whose creative talent will be sadly missed. At that meeting, the first seeds were also shown for Katherine-Jenkins-International (although I needed some prodding). That same meeting also inspired me to start Yulia-Townsend-International, as news about her discovery in NZ came through at exactly that time.
And last night , as news came through about Simon's passing, I also found myself chatting to Yulia for almost 2 hours, about some recent happenings (and non-happenings).
I had a very unusual night as a consequence - I didn't get to bed until 5 am ... the sun was already rising.
I am telling you this just to illustrate how much both Simon and Keith were an inspiration to me!
Thank you Simon. You have made a positive difference to my life.
Gerrit
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Post by timj on Jun 5, 2007 2:58:55 GMT
Rest in peace Simon, may your spirit live on in memories of your hard work,and wonderful accomplishments during your time with us.......TimJ
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Post by grant on Jun 5, 2007 18:23:14 GMT
I only learnt of Simon's death as we were meeting up for Hayley's concert in Cardiff last night. It came as a great shock, especially as I had intended to ask Hayley to sign a card on behalf of HWI.
I didn't know Simon well; I never met him though we spoke on the telephone several times and exchanged Emails and he sounded like a true gentleman.
I did actually pluck up courage to send Simon an Email when that was suggested and was so glad I did. I received a wonderful reply which affected me deeply and now that he is no longer with us, those feelings will live on.
My thoughts, feelings and prayers for those he has left behind go with the words that have already been posted - they show true feelings for someone to whom we owe so much.
Simon, you will live on within the heart of what you helped to create and I know that that will further empower those who carry on in your and Keith's place.
Goodbye Simon, God bless you
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Post by thomas on Jun 5, 2007 19:51:25 GMT
Like some of you I've never met Simon in person. We just wrote each other a few e-mails last July. In those mails I realized what a enthusiastic supporter of Hayley he was.
His death is a heavy loss for us all especially for his family, relatives and friends.
I wish all the best for you where you are now.
Thomas
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,699
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Post by Dave on Jun 5, 2007 23:36:25 GMT
Hearing about Simon's passing away was very sad news indeed, he built and developed the HWI website into what it is, the most comprehensive website for Hayley fans on the Internet.
I well recall my last exchange of emails with him a couple of weeks ago and especially, his final words to me:
Yes indeed, Simon.
We shall continue to run and develop the HWI website that Simon started (and not forgetting Keith), all of five years ago.
Later today, we will be posting this sad news on the front page of the HWI website.
Dave
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Post by geralynnk on Jun 6, 2007 0:29:00 GMT
I am very sorry to hear about Simon's passing. Even though I did not know him, all his hard work and dedication to the HWI site and to Hayley speaks volumes as to the kind of man he was. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
God Bless You Simon,
Geralynn
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Post by milewalker on Jun 6, 2007 0:33:57 GMT
Hearing about Simon's passing away was very sad news indeed, he built and developed the HWI website into what it is, the most comprehensive website for Hayley fans on the Internet. I well recall my last exchange of emails with him a couple of weeks ago and especially, his final words to me: Yes indeed, Simon. We shall continue to run and develop the HWI website that Simon started (and not forgetting Keith), all of five years ago. Later today, we will be posting this sad news on the front page of the HWI website. Dave Amen - that is a very nice gesture Jon |
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Post by Belinda on Jun 6, 2007 3:08:07 GMT
My 1000 th post is dedicated to Simon, Who along with Keith created this great site and forum we all have had so much enjoyment from and making great friendships that lets hope we have for a very long time.till we too are called home. Simon will be missed ,but remembered fondly by us all for his dedicated endless hours in support of the HWI site and his other 9 or so sites. I have known Simon for many years before the HWI Forum,through good times and bad. One email i was reading in the last few days He was pulling his kitchen apart and trying to juggle all the HWI stuff, and whoops some of it was my fault , i kept sending him stuff. But he loved every minute of it i think. Keith had ordered two copies of Pure from NZ. Because in those days we got the album first  Simon was waiting patiently or maybe not so patiently for Keith to send his on to him . He said Guess when it finally gets here i better cancel the whole day as far as anything else is concerned (Yip) you got that right simon. Will miss you Simon Belinda
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