In memory of Dave Simon
Dave Simon died Monday, July 25, 2005, of a massive heart attack. He probably died instantly.
The Funeral was July 30, 2005.
From The Blade - Obituary
1
Published: Jul 27, 2005
SZYMANOWSKI David J. (Dave Simon)
David J. Szymanowski, age 50 years, died Monday, July 25, 2005, at St. Anne's
Mercy Hospital. Born in Toledo on March 6, 1955, to Arthur and Marie Szymanowski,
he was a 1973 graduate of the former Macomber Vocational Technical High School.
During high school and following graduation, he worked as a repair technician
for Sears and subsequently as a heating and air conditioning technician for
Frye Brothers. Most recently, he was a substitute paraprofessional with Mayfair
Achievement Program and taught magic to children at the JCC as well as at
the West Toledo Branch of the Toledo Lucas County Library. He also taught
courses in large appliance repair including pressure washers and generators
at area auto plants. As a professional magician, he was known as Dave Simon.
He owned the former "Simons Studios". He performed as "Sparkles"
the clown for children's parties and also as Santa. He also was a Mason.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jean Marie. David was
the primary care giver to his dad prior to his father's death.
Surviving are his sisters, Kathleen (Byron) Emery and Angela "Angie"
Szymanowski, and brother, Dale (Fran) Szymanowski, as well as his niece, Megan.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2005, in the
Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, 2426 North Reynolds Rd., 419-531-4424,
where the family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Father
Mark Davis will officiate. The family suggests memorial donations to a charity
of the donor's choice.
From The Blade - Obituary 2
Article published July 27, 2005
Magician ran shop, shared his knowledge
David J. Szymanowski, 50, a magician known professionally as
Dave Simon who performed and taught his art since the 1970s, died Monday in
St. Anne Mercy Hospital.
He was taken to the hospital after collapsing in his West Toledo home, his
sister Kathy Emery said. The cause of death was not known, she said.
Mr. Szymanowski conducted magic camps for children at the Jewish Community
Center and taught magic at the West Toledo branch of the Toledo-Lucas County
Public Library. He was a former president of the Toledo Society of Magicians
and owned a magic shop on West Sylvania Avenue for about three years.
"Dave was a great performer [and] had a great sense of humor," said
Bill Rugh of Waterville, who is a magician.
Mr. Szymanowski had "a fun attitude. He enjoyed life and enjoyed entertaining,
and I think that translated," Mr. Rugh said.
Mr. Szymanowski once told The Blade he preferred a slower, more deliberate
style of magic performance, influenced by European masters, to a flashy American
style.
He became one of the first to be licensed in 1987 under a city street performing
ordinance.
"Magic has been around since the first caveman palmed a stone, hiding
it from his friend," Mr. Szymanowski told The Blade as he performed in
Promenade Park.
His sister said: "Thinking of creative solutions to things - that was
part of his nature. He was very colorful."
He was formerly an appliance repair technician for Sears and a heating and
air conditioning technician for Fry Bros. He later taught autoworkers how
to repair such large appliances as pressure washers and generators.
Most recently, he was a substitute paraprofessional at the Mayfair Achievement
Center, the alternative public school in Toledo for children with severe behavioral
and emotional problems.
"He had an uncanny knack for understanding how children think and how
children feel," his sister said.
He also appeared as a clown at children's parties and played Santa at Christmas.
The son of Arthur and Marie Szymanowski, he was a graduate of the former Macomber
Vocational Technical High School.
Surviving are his sisters, Kathy Emery and Angie Szymanowski, and brother,
Dale.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Thomas I. Wisniewski
Mortuary, where the family will receive friends after 10 a.m. Saturday.
The family suggests tributes to a charity of the donor's choice.
