Dear Family and Friends,
it is with heavy hearts and extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Filip on the morning of Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
Filip was a devoted father, loving son, brother, nephew, loyal friend, and a fun-loving uncle to his nieces and nephews. He lost his life tragically in a motorcycle accident early Tuesday morning.
Please take a moment to leave a photo, video, or a memory. His sons will treasure these memories in years to come.
We have planned 3 gatherings to allow all those who cared for and loved Filip to be able to join us in remembering and honoring him.
- A memorial service on Saturday, April 18th in NJ. We wholeheartedly thank all those who joined us to share their grief, memories and laughter in Filip's honor.
- An informal, "in the spirit of Filip" memorial gathering in Nazareth, PA on Saturday, May 30th. We had a beautiful, heartwarming and healing get together with forty-six people who we deeply thank for coming to honor and remember Filip.
- A final gathering was held where Filip was born, in the Czech Republic, on June 12th in Orlik n. Vltavou. June 12th would have been Filip's 40th birthday. We celebrated his life with friends and family and kindly thank all those who joined us.
Please remember Filip in any way that would make him smile. Let's continue to celebrate him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Luke and Simon's education fund through YouCaring.com
Sincerely,
The Simon Family
Tributes
Leave a tributeI asked Simone yesterday what her last memory was of you. You surprising her with pink tic-tacs was the first thing out of her mouth. So this morning, Dunkin’ and pink tic tacs in hand, we took a walk in the woods thinking and talking of our memories of you. Cheers Filip. Thinking of you now and often
We’re about to head to your tree to say hi. I miss you popping in for coffee or dinner. I really enjoyed and appreciated your ability to look at things from a very different perspective. You were always a great listener and could cheer anyone up, your smile was always infectious.
Missing you,
Phelps
Dear Filip, already the eighth spring without you, but still with you. Simon 18, Luke 15, great guys. Jakub is a wonderful uncle. Last year, on his 52nd birthday, his beloved Denise died of a horrible cancer, I still can't believe it. I am in Orlík, in a place where your childhood footprints are everywhere, a place of peace, permanent memories and beloved nature.
we continue to miss you very much. You are forever in our hearts and minds. Love you always,
Veru
We went down the Deleware with Simi, Veru and Jakub yesterday for your birthday. Thank you for the great weather, as always! We miss you.
-Phelps
We had a smaller crowd, but awesome as always. Miss you but always with us in spirit!
We stopped by your tree and planted some new life in the ground for you, and planted some wild flower seeds to see what life might spring up.
I miss your spontaneity, always easy going smile, and how you could always make us relax and take things a little less seriously.
The boys are doing wonderfully, you’d be proud of them.
Wish you were here with them now, camping with us.
Miss you buddy,
Phelps
There are so many things I wish to tell you. First we are missing you so very much. Your boys are growing into men and more and more they are reflections of you! Your smile, laughter, adventurous nature, humor, hair and kindness is all wrapped up in them. I am so grateful to know them. And your family is surrounding them with love. I imagine you smoking a cigar and smiling. Blessings to you dear Filip!
Love, Shawn and Natalie
On our way to go tubing in your memory.
Miss you!
-Phelps
Veru Simone and I planted a tree in the trunk of yours in Holmdel. Rebirth and growth. I know you understand.
I think of you often and think of those random, but perfectly timed moments you would show up at our house, just to say Hi for a few minutes. We have a love-bug of a rescue dog that I know you would love!
Thinking of you now and always.
Hugs,
Phelps
I just posted a picture of us having a 'bubble fight' in Hawley, Mass (2003). I found the picture in an old box while packing to move. I must have been 6 years old. I can't remember any details of the trip, but I remember the moment, and I remember growing up with it. Like a wisp of my childhood. You're in many of those wisps - leaping off our deck in Baltimore, an RC car in Keyport - a testament to the effect you had on my life and growing up, and the fun, love, and laughter you created and shared.
Teta Veru's description on the photo: "Do you remember Deda filling the dishwasher with liquid soap? You and Filip had a bubble war and laughed and laughed till it hurt!" How I'd love to go back to that moment! You remind me to create and cherish those spontaneous, fun moments in our lives.
We miss you terribly. You would be so proud to see how the boys are doing, and how the family has come together to support them.
Love,
Nate
We're all remembering and missing you today. Last week I was helping my parents move and came across so many old pictures of the family! My favorite was a big family photo of all of us in Prilepov. We're all smiling, laughing, and looking so happy! It made me miss all of the humor you brought to every family gathering. This year (because of Covid) we had a unique outdoor Jezisek gathering in the snow... You would have loved it! It was so fun to see the boys at Jezisek and throughout the year -- they are growing up so fast! You would be proud of how kind and thoughtful and fun they are. And such good skiiers/snowboarders! They must get it from you!
Love, Fia
This year we kept the adventures going despite the crazy COVID-19 pandemic! In June we toured Princeton with Nate, Simi, babi, and the boys. During the rest of the summer we had three “Scout Weekends” where we biked, hiked, went fishing, climbing, reviewed knots, played Canasta, and did a bunch of Scout stuff including an intro flight that Nate took the boys and Cole on! In Oct we went to see Simon play football and in Dec the boys were able to join for a large family outdoor [COVID-19] Secret Santa celebration at Ralph Stover. Also in Dec as well as Jan we went skiing at Shawnee, with Luke taking on the skis full force. That skill was honed with Simon and Cole (first time skiing without me) at Hunter in preparation for the big Colorado trip that we took this month! The boys’ skiing is really getting good and skiing with Simon reminded me of skiing with you (I am sure that if Luke keeps it up he is not far behind). Spending a whole week with the boys was really special and different from the weekend trips. Denise and I could really appreciate their brotherly bond, see how well they work together, and enjoy their banter. We realized that they are the only two brothers (without any other siblings) in the whole family. It was a real pleasure to spend that time with them. Many thanks to you and Tina for setting them on the right course and to Tina for entrusting them to us for this amazing trip. We love you, miss you, think about you all the time and wish you were here!!!
Jakub
I hope that you have noticed that Hannah, Anna and I just visited you at your Orlik's resting place and celebrated your 45th birthday. I left one new cigar on the tombstone for you but I wished that we could smoke it together. We are missing you Filip!
Vaclav
are living in a crazy world right now. Wonder what your take would be
all of this. Please watch over us and keep us in your prayers.
Love and miss you guy.
Price Family
Some are just memories of when we were kids
others are gestures of kindness that you did.
I see you in all of us and especially when we do something out of the ordinary and goofy, in a special Filip-kind-of-way. :)
We Miss You, Filipe. Always and Forever.
Today is just as painful as five years ago when you left us. We will always miss you and love you. Vaclav and Anna
Thinking of you and wishing we could relax at the kitchen table with another cup of coffee. You were one of the most spontaneous and genuine-hearted people I have ever known.
We have a candle burning by your picture (Simone put a little photo of herself next to it to keep you company :)
Hugs,
Phelps
Few days ago, reading some your thought, I come across this:
Filip Simon 2012
“ Give me the strength to accept the things I can’t change,
The courage to change the things I can & the wisdom
To know the difference.”
Listening to you even today.
Máma
Five f*#@ing years!? We're continuing adventures just the way you would have liked it. In May we did a hike, in June a bike ride, August the beach, Sep some time with Nate, Oct Denise and I went to see Simon's football game in which he had an amazing catch and ran the ball almost 70 yards! He is growing up to be such a big strong young man and looking more and more like you every day! Nov we had a fun bowling game, Jan we skied Liberty and Feb we skied Hunter. March we were supposed to go to Tahoe but COVID-19 caused us to have to cancel the trip. Luke has been getting straight A's all year and Simon started getting straight A's in order to be able to go. They were not happy to have to take a raincheck on the trip but handled it so maturely and well that I was very impressed. They are continuing to grow up amazingly! Just the other day they were out together, just the two of them, exploring the woods for a good part of the day. I discussed with Simon how fortunate they are to have each other. Brothers. Nothing like it. Luke does not like to talk on the phone as much but whenever we see him he is very happy and doing great. He made it to a statewide fencing competition and takes it so seriously that he does not want us to come and see his matches. On the Hunter trip there were some pool tables and he worked on perfecting his game until he got the courage to challenge me ;-). He is very focused and works hard to get what he wants. Tina is doing a fantastic job with them and they are a true pleasure! I'm sure you're proud as can be looking over them along with the rest of us. We miss you and this year in quarantine will have a cigar and a whiskey with you.
Love you!!! Jakub
Leave a Tribute
I asked Simone yesterday what her last memory was of you. You surprising her with pink tic-tacs was the first thing out of her mouth. So this morning, Dunkin’ and pink tic tacs in hand, we took a walk in the woods thinking and talking of our memories of you. Cheers Filip. Thinking of you now and often
Lessons learned
Filip had a special knack for knowing how kids' minds work and understood them well - that's what made him so good at his job being an After School Care Director.
My memory of him teaching me an important lesson about the child psyche is a little hard to explain, but I'll try.
Our family was over my house (before I had kids myself) and I was getting ready to serve coffee when I realized that all the kids (ages 2-5 or so) were sitting at the round table that had the hot coffee maker on it.
I told Filip that it could be dangerous if they touched it and that I'll let them know not to touch it because it's hot. "No!", he said. "Don't do that...then they'll all want to touch it!" Him being a father, I took his word and didn't mention anything...just grabbed the pot and returned it when I was done". Yup, he was right. They completely ignored me and didn't notice the hot pot either.
I'm pretty sure if I said something, someone would have gotten burnt!
As I raise my own daughter now, I often think of him and wonder what he would say or do to give me guidance.
Happy Birthday today, Filipe! We miss you!
Missing you but still feeling your presence
Dear Filip,
I cannot believe that it has been 4 years since we spoke. Your constant smile and happy attitude still fills the hallways of Ridgewood Avenue School. Your spirit and love of life does live on in so many of the children and adults that you interacted with daily. I know that you are watching and I am so hoping that you are in a good place, where there is only happiness and joy......exactly what you shared with everyone you met. I miss you.
Filip's helping hand
One of Filip's innate characteristics was his uninhibited willingness to help others. It was just something that he did. If you needed something, he would be there to help...whether you asked for it or not. It was a special gift.
There are many stories floating around about how he touched our lives in this way.
One of the things he did for me was find my first car - my Subaru! I knew I wanted the 90s Subaru Outback Sport but couldn't find the right fit for the right price. He's always been really good at finding used cars & motorcycles in good shape for a good deal and that's how I landed my green Subaru!
When he told me he found my car, I didn't realize it would be in a different state though! Somehow he knew it would be perfect, so we set out with our dad to NY, just north of the Delaware Water Gap, to check it out. It was a few hours away, but that didn't matter.
After test driving and a little bit of talking the dealer down, I drove away with my new car and have been hooked on Subarus ever since (and so was he). :)