Simon Cheung

I have to laugh at all the stupid, dumb shit Simon and I would get up to. We were both young Canadian kids exploring life in California. Living, and learning things as we experienced it. There are 2 stories that stand out. While I will eventually find pictures. The story is better than any photo evidence can provide. I have no idea what year it was, but was early into our time in California. I am not even sure if I was at ILM at that time, but he and I always hung out the years before that. We came up with what we thought was a brilliant Canadian idea: to become "ballers" and take our first summer trip together to Las Vegas. Many of you who haven't experienced Las Vegas in the summer may not appreciate just how brutally hot it can be. Like I said... we "thought" we would be cool and bring our "Dress Suits" in the fucking Vegas summer. Neither of us had ever been to Vegas before, and we'd watched far too many James Bond movies and “Casino” films. We arrived and checked into our swanky hotel (The Palace Station - a SHITHOLE) off the strip. It was a balmy 100 degrees at midnight. 114° in the day and hotter than Satan's ass crack. Neither of us EVER wore those suits. We laughed so hard at how silly we were. Thinking we would be cool and instead needed to stay cool. We also had no money. Gambling was foreign to us, and thinking we would drop $100/day was “rich”. One evening Simon and I were mesmerized watching this gentleman with a STACK of $1000.00 Pink chips adding up to maybe 50-100k playing Blackjack. He was playing 2 hands at a time, with about 5k per hand. We were shocked as we watched him spend thousands up and down in minutes. I think I was more enamored with is Girlfriend “or special” friend. She looked as expensive as the hands he was playing. What an incredible trip, lots of great laughs and fond memories of our first time there. Idiots. The next one that many don’t realize as it was something inside ILM. Simon, Izzy, Tim and I shared an office in ILM Commercials for several years together. Our room was somewhat of a hub. All of us had a blast and spent more time together than one would with a significant other. Simon was brough onto Star Wars: Episode 1 – the Phantom Penis in 1999. With the enhanced security and the reality that everyone that was at ILM (would give their left nut to be on that movie as after all) that is why most of us dorks were there. Due to Simon being a part of the project early. We had to change security access to our office. The 4 of us had to get new badges to access our room, as there were several “top Secret models” on his desk or in the room. Well one of the models Simon was tasked to build was the “Battle Droid” used extensively in that film. The ILM Model shop made a maquette of that for him to model. I believe it was the only one. One day I went to see what he was doing. I picked up the model and no sooner than Simon says “Be careful with that” I fucking dropped it. It shattered in a ton of pieces. I nearly shit myself and I recall him yelling at me “What did you do?” There was no way I could fix it. He was like "You have to come to tell them what happened". We had to go together to SW1 Production to explain the situation. I for sure thought I was going to get fired on the spot! Simon was nervous, but I was the one that fucked it up… well they were not happy. To say the least. No idea what went on behind the scenes… but I was banned from touching anything again. If you could see his face when it fell out of my hands. I think I was too busy watching this one-of-a-kind model slip in slow motion and hitting his desk and breaking apart. Too funny now… not in the moment. For over 4 years we shared an office together from 1997/8 to 2001. So many laughs and memories. Good times, great friends.

Simon always made it a point to see me and the family whenever he was in Vancouver. He also lived here for a few months, and made it up to Whistler a few times to enjoy the pow. Always full of conversation and jokes around the dinner table. He was a great talent and an amazing cousin I looked up to. Always hoped for more downhill speed runs. Miss you Cousin! Some pictures with him and the family.

Here’s a great photo from when we first moved to New Zealand, Christmas 2006, and another where we are Zorbing on the North Island on our Christmas 2006 trip together. And lastly, here's Simon at his favorite restaurant in Wellington, Nicolini’s. It was this incredible Italian owned spot where we frequented for a great meal. They also had the best steaks in town. We went so much they grew to know us there. This is from 2010.

Simon was my sister’s friend - I met him when he and Kim worked together at their first animation job in Toronto after college. As sisters do, I would drop in to the studio to see her and meet her friends. But no surprise, it was Simon’s over-the-top joy, humour, hilarity and kindness that stood out - and I felt blessed to be included in his wide circle. Through the years, during many many visits to my sister in California, I was always overjoyed to catch up with Simon. Not surprisingly, these meetings were often over good food, with lots of talk, and lots of laughter that never stopped. Simon always said that with Kim and I on either side of him, talking and laughing, it was like listening to us in stereo. Declared with delight. This photo captures one of those moments. I miss you Simon - you will be a bright light in my life forever. Thanks for sharing your joy with me too. Xoxo

I can't contemplate a world without this delight of a human being in it. My buddy Simon came into my life 33 years ago during our early days working in animation in Toronto. We bonded over the work, stomping around the studio to Rage Against The Machine to keep ourselves awake while burning the midnight oil, our mutual love of food, and laughing hysterically over just about anything. We lived down the street from each other in High Park (I helped him move into his first apartment) and would meet for late night hot chocolates when we couldn't sleep. We followed each other to California where we continued our deep friendship both inside and outside our work at ILM. He truly, as my friend Trish said to me, felt like my "brother from another mother". 22 years ago he told me that my baby girl needed to be born on his birthday. I said no way, but she obviously agreed since she was two weeks overdue and duly arrived on his birthday, November 13. The photos he later captured of me and my girl are some of my absolute favourites. He adored his friends and family around the world, and they adored him right back. It was always a good day, a Simon day, when we managed to make time for lunch or a walk or even just a quick call. Simon, I love you so much, buddy. I miss you terribly and wish you hadn't left so soon. I remember how much you loved snowboarding from the get go, and am grateful that you went out on the slopes you loved. I'll remember you forever. x

If any of you really knew Simon, you knew he loved his food. A LOT. Steaks. Sausages. Sauces. Did I mention sausages? Going out for a nice dinner was one of the things he loved most in life, followed very closely by going out for a nice brunch. The more artery-clogging it was, the more he loved it! Most of you probably enjoyed a meal with him at some point. Whether it was Marin Joe's, House of Prime Rib in San Francisco, Lawry's in Vegas, Moe's in Oakville , Persian restaurants anywhere, or any number of other fine eating establishments, Simon got to know the owners, chefs, and most of the staff at these places. These places treated him like family. He never held back on sauces. Sauce on his steak. Sauce on his eggs. You name it, he put sauce on it. Ultimately, I think it was the never-ending steaks, sausages and sauces that did him in, but man did he enjoy it! Next time you have a steak or go for brunch, think of Simon!

We have known each other forever. Meeting at Sheridan College in Computer Animation, to our adventures moving to California and beyond. We were always up for an adventure. When you have a friendship for 35 years, this is a very tough pill to swallow. There have been many moments recently where I go to call, or think we have not spoken in some time. I will always still talk to you brother. Simon, Izzy, Tim and I shared an office in ILMCP (Industrial Light & Magic Commercial Productions) for over 4 years together. He and I lived in the same building in San Rafael. We'd walk in together, ride our mountain bikes together. Vacation and more. Man we just did a lot of fun and dumb shit all the time. This photo is so funny as I wouldn't wear, or own Blue Jeans that bright today. Or Black 'n Blue day. We were all just kids creating the most insane work of our lives and having a blast together. Those early days at ILM were so special, created bonds with the other Canadians, and friends from around the world that are still solid today. Not a day goes by were you don't come to mind my friend. I feel robbed of many years of more dumb shit and adventure. I am so glad to have met you and had such a friendship of a lifetime. I miss you brother.