Nicholas Simons
Norwich community activist who raised £4,000 for diabetes research
AMAN FOR all seasons, Nicholas Simons, who has died aged 63, was Norwich Hebrew Congregation’s long serving hon treasurer. He was planning to create a Jewish Community and Heritage Centre in Norwich, when he died.The congregation will complete the project in his memory.
Nick had brought his brilliant organising skills into the synagogue’s renovation and his playful sense of humour endeared him to many. His enormous contribution was recognised by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who offered his personal condolences.
The son of Flora (née Krafchik) and Leonard Simons (previously Posnansky) he was brought up in an Orthodox home in Preston with his younger sister Anne. The family were active members of the Preston Jewish community, where Nick attended cheder and was barmitzvah. After King Edward VII School in Lytham St Annes, he studied agricultural science at Leeds University ,and in his first year there he met Poppy Lee and they married on July 6, 1978. They had two children, Amy and Ben.
Nick moved to Norfolk in 1977 where he acquired the first of many dogs, a much- photographed Springer spaniel named George. Nick worked for 26 years at Bernard Matthews poultry farm, eventually becoming farm director. In 2004, Nick’s work took him away from Norfolk, travelling to GLW Feeds near Loughborough; his last journey was the day before he died.
Nick developed diabetes and was a pioneer patient of the indwelling insulin pump, becoming an expert at sugar calculations and insulin pump control. In 2008 he walked the 99 mile West Highland Way and raised £4,000 for diabetes research. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Norwich City FC.
Utterly unpretentious, Nick held many opinions but was never opinionated. He was not especially religious but he had an innate sense of community, for which he did everything, without expecting recognition or gratitude. He was a rare mensch in a small community and will be desperately missed.
Nick was delighted to see both his children recently married, and also to have his mother Flora from the Isle of Man attend both weddings. He is survived by Poppy and their children Amy and Ben, his mother and sister Anna.