Tributes to a past Principal

Although I did not have the pleasure of knowing former Principal Col. Eric Simeon, from the tributes that have come in, it appears that he did our school proud.

Dear Jacob,

By the way did you hear of Col. Eric Simeon's death in Delhi yesterday. He was suffering from cancer.

The former Principal of Cathedral had lost his wife some years ago.

He was well respected and kept in touch with many Cathedralites, when he was living in Pune.

69er Prakash Thadani

And the Alumni President Rajiv Bhatia submitted this "Recall" report:

from: Catalumni - Rajiv Bhatia
to JACOB MATTHAN 59
date May 16, 2007 3:47 AM
subject Recall

Col. Simeon succeeded Mr. Kuruvilla Jacob as Principal of Cathedral School. He took my General Knowledge Class at the `SLR'.

I had the good fortune of meeting him in Pune, after he retired, from time to time, thanks to my friends the Lobo's (Col. Ivo Lobo, the Late Mrs. Jean Simeon's brother).

When I met Col. in early 2005, he autographed my copy of the new Hymnal, as designed by Mrs. Isaacs. His nephew and my friend Jonathan Lobo (Barham 1981 ISC) had taken me over to his residence at Ashoka Apts in Pune. Col's wife Jean, had passed away a few months before in late 2004 and he was heart broken. Seeing her suffer during her last he said he often recapped the words from `Abide with me' -

"When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless,
O abide with me."

It is comforting to know that the prayers and good wishes of scores of his highly accomplished students have always been with him.

The Armed Forces stood behind him too. It was'nt without reason that NDTV flashed text messages last night that a noted Educationist was no more.

Prannoy Roy was Col.'s student at Doon.

Such is the regard that those who knew the late Col. Eric Joseph Simeon will always have for him. His was most certainly a life well lived. In our hearts, he will live for ever.

Rajiv


The late Col. Eric Simeon with Pushpa Bhatia (53er)
on Christmas Eve 2003 in Pune.
_______________________________________________________________________
Rajiv Bhatia (Barham, 1981 ICSE)
President @ your service

May Col. Simeon rest in peace.