Reid Eddy (Friend)
Entered
October 28, 2022
from Toronto
Simon and I met in the autumn of '77. We were attending 1st yr Engineering at the University of Toronto. We both had an interest in music, which was how we met. The word "audition" may not be quite appropriate for initiation into the "Lady Godiva memorial Band"(AKA "BNAD"); however, I with my trumpet and Simon with his trombone were trying to make good first impressions on the band's upperclassmen. I was "blown away" by the skill and ability that Simon exhibited. I heard rumours that, on occasion, some member of the Faculty of Music also sat-in with the band. I thought Simon certainly must have been one of those rare few. Days later I was utterly shocked when Simon sat down beside me in a calculus lecture and said "Hi Reid, good to see you again!". We became friends and although we only had few classes together, I could always count on seeing Simon at band events. At the start of 2nd year there was the to-be-expected turn-over of the band's leadership. I quickly volunteered to be a co-leader but as the term waned, in parallel to my grades, I realized that I could not continue as a leader. Simon and I both wanted to contribute to the band's success and to it's continuity. Although my request came with a bit of guilt, for both Simon and I knew that leading the band would require a significant commitment of effort and time, Simon graciously accepted my request to take on the role of leader, for which I felt eternally indebted.
Sometime later on, he and a few members of the band, with some friends and classmates, went to see a science fiction movie that was getting some interesting reviews. Simon and I both thought the music was quite good, and although I thought the over-budgeted "B" movie would be forgotten and disappear into obscurity, Simon thought it would catch-on and one day could become quite popular. The movie was Star Wars.
As is the way of life, close friends may walk diverging paths and perhaps never see each other again, but that was not to be the case. Several decades may have slipped by, but Simon, I, and a few other who had seen the first Star Wars film, got together again to watch yet another in the series. Although we all thought the music was excellent, I found the movie to be somewhat lacking. Simon, however, was able to enjoy and appreciation it.
Simon was always one who could find the brighter side of any situation.
It is in that spirit that I think I will remember Simon best.
Be at peace my friend.
