Simon Douglas McKenzie

Simon McKenzie passed away at home in Cape Town on May 13, 2021, aged 70.  Simon was born in the same city, the place that he loved, on October 8, 1950.  Simon leaves his wife, Patricia (Pat), who is a teacher, four children and their families, Kate, Alison, Jenny, and Craig, and five siblings and their families, Margie, Malcolm, Andrew, Ann, and Ken.  All mourn and miss Simon deeply.

The family connection to Bishops is strong.  After Simon, his three younger brothers all went to Bishops, as did his son, Craig.  Simon’s younger sister Ann taught at the Bishops Pre-Primary School for many years, and retired only recently.  Simon attended Bishops Prep from the outset, and left College after matriculating in 1968.  He was a fine student, a superb sports player, and a responsible leader, being a School Prefect in Ogilvie House in his final year.  Simon was a gregarious and much-liked student, with a wide circle of friends.  He was also much respected by his teachers for his conscientious and committed nature.  He contributed widely and with a sincere enthusiasm to many College activities.

Simon studied law at Stellenbosch, Cape Town, and UNISA, completing his LLB at the last-named university.  He practiced law as an attorney with various Cape Town law firms, including Findlay and Tait, Eldred Bisset, and Bloombergs, before branching out to join Derek Gibberd in Wynberg in the early 2000s.  The two of them formed a fine legal partnership.  Simon was also, for some years, a part-time sports commentator for cricket and rugby.

As noted already, Simon had a very wide circle of friends.  He lit up gatherings with a warm and inclusive sense of humor, an expression of his love of good fellowship.  Simon was one of life’s true gentlemen – courteous, kind, and compassionate.  He assisted many friends and acquaintances in various ways, quietly and without drawing attention to himself, throughout his life.  Simon was also very proud of his school, Bishops, and remained a loyal and active OD to the end.  He is sorely missed by his family, and by many friends from his school days as well as from later in his life.