This coming Friday offers an all too familiar scene for my wife and I. We must bid a final farewell to a dear friend. I suppose when folks arrive at our respective ages, 72 and 74, folks must acknowledge life's end-game realities, which by-passes nobody. Two days ago, I received an email from Mike Simon, son of Sam Simon. Mike asked me to be a pallbearer for his ninety-year father.
The year 1962, Gerry and I along with two-year old son, Steve moved to Assumption, Illinois where I began a thirty-nine year coaching career. Farm community, Assumption was a profound cultural-shock for the East St. Louis city-dwellers; it is a two-year experience that we cherish to this day. Sam Simon was a high school history teacher who was sixteen years my senior. He and his wife Marilyn took the young Roustio family under wing and became life time friends.
Sam was a World War II veteran who had a quick wit and an even quicker mind to recall every card played in a game of pinochle or Hearts; a desired card-game partner to understate the fact! Assumption had a population of 1300 or 1350 depending upon the direction you entered the community; Western traffic saw a sign reading 1300 and entering from the North stated 1350.
Since moving to Decatur nearly sixteen years ago, Gerry and I have re-kindled our socializing friendship with the Simons and Zubers (Vinnie and June) and other Assumption folks. (Note: Assumption is a mere 23 miles South of Decatur). A couple of years ago, Sam and Marilyn sold their home and moved into an assisted living home in Vandalia, Illinois to be nearer daughter, Becky who lives and teaches there. Two months ago, the Roustios and Zubers celebrated Sam's 90th birthday with a luncheon outing. Marilyn is fast moving towards the darkness of Alzheimer and now is left alone with discombobulated understanding of events.
We shall continue to reach out to Marilyn and remember Sam with great fondness.
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