Simon Johnston - A tribute from Greg Treadwell

It goes without saying we are extremely saddened and shocked at the loss of this gentle man.

We are very old friends who live in Australia so regrettably didn't have many chances to see Simon in the last 30 years. I grew up with Simon in Auckland and it was he who introduced me to my wife, Cecile way back in 1975. 
 
We have fond memories of many younger days past in his smoke filled bedroom, cruising Herne Bay on the scooter or Kingswood and of course introducing us many years ago. Simon will be sadly missed.

We pass on our sincere condolences to Simon's mother and family.

Shaun & Cecile Shanahan

No-one could sing Diamonds and Rust like Simon.

Those were the days weren't they? 

Godspeed you lovely man.

I wanted to say something about my work with Simon over the last seven years. Being the Auckland Department of Conservation media voice makes for easy access to the press but, of course, editorial commentary and story angle have their own life outside our media releases. Waiheke, as all residents are aware, is a place apart and there is alot of story alive there (beyond Tanya Batt's vast imagination). Sometimes things get wild.

Simon is a guy I have always trusted and he never betrayed that trust in all the time he was at Gulf News. I had many frank discussions with him as editor and it was always a two way street of information and point of view. Occasionally he tackled the issues by presenting a story which didn't further my position, but he did it in a fair and balanced way that was never malicious or misleading.

I would say that he was a big supporter of Conservation and always gave us great copy covering the wonderful things we are privelidged to be involved in. He frequently came to our networking type events, both with camera in hand or just to have a good catch-up with everyone working around the Gulf.

I counted him as a friend and was shocked by the news of his accident and will miss him on the scene. I will hear his voice in the course of my PR work for years to come. My deep condolences to Simon's family.

Bill Trusewich

Community Relations Programme Manager

Auckland Department of Conservation

i know that you were there last night simon as the 150  strong crowd gathered and held a wake like only the community of waiheke could...we drank, danced , sang , laughed , cried , caught up with old friends that came from far and wide....we created lasting memories , we did you proud... in love and in heart....

Deb

x

You would have been so proud of your family today, Simon. You would have said as well: "What are all these people doing up here?" (Missing you Simon, that's what we do!) - I honestly didn't even know there are so many cars altogether on Waiheke. It's hard to believe that I won't be able to truely get on your nerves anymore - whenever you had a gig, sure enough after a beer or two I would ask you for a song from The Smith. Sure enough you wouldn't play one.

"There is a light that never goes out" : That isn't me having the last word (well, true, I am a woman after all) - but your light will be with us.

It was a pleasure working on both sides of the fence with you Simon. At the Gulf News as a colleague, at the Waiheke Jazz Festival as a 'client' and as part of the wider community where you treated my family with respect and made sure you always had the facts (which is more than I can say for some of our national news gatherers). I still remember the first time I heard you making music. It was a gig at Artworks. I can't remember what the gig was in aide of but I remember your imposing figure, huge hands and you were totally immersed in the sound. It was inspiring like our conversations. There were too few of them but they were always worthwhile. One felt the need to be on one's guard as your wit was rapier sharp! I look forward to your 'Band in Heaven' review - until then, I don't quite believe you're gone buddy. Be at peace, Perry.

Si-diddly-di...

Dearest Si,

How do we make sense of this escapade...?

I don't know Simon, if you realised before how much you were treasured by your Island community...how much you were loved by not only your children but every one of their friends...not only by your partners but every one of their friends...respected by your peers and anyone who stumbled across your skillful creations...for your incredible compassionate liquid talent both in the written word and in music...Christ,Si we are all listenng for you.

Going to miss you long time.

I didn't know you very well, although i am sure our paths have crossed many times. You are what makes Waiheke Island great; unique, yourself, talented and a fantastic friend to the community. I don't know if you like country music. If not you can cringe and curse me, but in tribute to you i'm playing Hank Williams III, Wild And Free, this sunday evening. You're a great man. Martini the Navigator

The phone would ring some evenings.

' Hello sweetheart, how you doin' darlin'?'

We would giggle about boyfriends before he'd ask for my dad, and I would pass the phone over to him, dad would always start with 'g'day tug'.Tug. Pet names between our fathers, Izzy, Harriet and Alisha, they were cute werent they? 

The next topic would always be about 'the girls' - both had a set of ' the girls' and I know my uncle Simon always spoke fondly and proudly of both sets. 

Uncle Simon was my fathers baby brother and no matter how old you get, how far away you are, how few and far between you may see each other - a kid brother to him he will remain.

To all of my family waiting patiently in New Zealand, I board my plane in 10 hours, a short 32 hour flight to be by your side through this is nothing - I shall see you all soon.

All  my love,

Amber.

Daughter, cousin, and neice.

Beautiful Simon the softie who cried at movies, had a heart of gold and was always there for you. Can't believe you are gone, will miss you and your lovely smile. Simon always a gentleman.

Dianne

xx

Simi,

I love you so much. You were not only an amazing Father, but also a wonderful friend that was always there for me, no matter how much I pissed you off. : ) I can't believe you're no longer here, but I'm glad I have twenty years of wonderful memories to cherish. I'll make you proud. Sorry I could never buy you that Audi wagon you wanted.

Much Love,

Your daughter Harri-Boo x x x

   om mane padme hum.......................last night you were in my dream ..you told me not to"waste a moment".....i promise that i wont :-)....

deb xo

Loved you such a lot Simon, dear friend, ah! what a compassionate, kind  and supportive person, my heark breaks and so is at a loss losing you, am missing you terrribly. It is said that grieving is propotionate to the person, for you Simon, it will be a very long grieving.

Simon really was a lovely man and a great editor for Gulf News.  I've only been on the rock for five years but had many dealings with him, both personally and for radio on the Island.  He was always very supportive of our fundraising events (usually gigs) and always willing to help out - and play if we'd let him ;-)

I'll miss him

Simon Mansfield
Waiheke Radio

I wish I'd known you Simon much longer than I did. The brief time I spent with you up in Auckland was something I won't forget. That day at Capri, the first time I heard you sing was just stunning - I had no idea how beautiful you could sound & play.

I wish things had turned out better for you, I left the Nth Island feeling helpless and sad that I couldn't help you like I wanted - or you me. There feels like so much unfinished business there that I'll never have the chance to fix.

Goodbye my friend, may your spirit fly and sing in the heavens forever ... x

I did not know Simon personally but wherever & whenever our paths crossed I would acknowledge the mutual respect we shared for music & the arts. His support was tenacious& industrious . He will be missed. n x

 Simon was a huge help to us when we first started out, and was a great supporter and advocate of all local musicians, as well as playing opening sets for Aaron on more than one occasion.  It's absolutely crazy to think he's gone.  What a waste.  Our thoughts go out to his family x 

Simon I know you loved the island, your writing, your music and your children and we shared common interests. We had many a great catch up on the ferry and at gigs on the island over the years. You were always a friend. Rest in peace.

A lovely man. Would love to hear him sing The Ship Song again.

As with us all this tragic news comes as a huge shock. I speak personlly when I say Simon helped myself and my career in so many ways. Always interested and suportive towards my many musical and other projects, he made the difference between a small blog in the rear of the Gulf News to Front page. Through Simon I learnt about Movies, musiclegends, his love for a nice wine, how to deal with tenage daughters(a loving father himself)..and how to speak proper grammer haha however i am still working on the latter.

We never know what fate has install for us, but Simon you definatly left a wonderful legacy and will always be held dear to ourhearts.

Bless you Simon

Lani

Many thanks for all your support Simon, as a grand eccentric you will always be missed. Goodbye my good man...e