Funeral Details

Zachary Philip Simon

December 15, 1981 - November 15, 2024

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Skokie Chapel
8851 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Get Directions

Clergy

Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
Fr. John Meany, OP

Interment

Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, Illinois 60076
Get Directions

Shiva

Held-Simon Residence
2821 West Greenleaf Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60645
312.340.8571
Get Directions
Upon return from the cemetery until 7PM.

Memorial Contributions

ColonTown
969 Diggs Road
Crownsville, Maryland 21032
paltown.app.neoncrm.com/forms/11
or
StandWithUs
File 2215
1801 WestOlympic Blvd
Pasadena, California 91199-2215
www.standwithus.com/donate




OBITUARY

Zachary (Zach) Philip Simon
12/15/81 - 11/15/24

Zach passed away peacefully at home on Friday November 15, 2024 after a courageous journey with colorectal cancer. His husband, Yossi Held, parents and siblings were by his side when he passed. Zach was born December 15, 1981 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, the son of Ruth and John Simon. He grew up in Granger, Indiana and graduated from Penn High School. He attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and then went on to complete his business degree at the University of Pittsburgh. His professional career was focused on digital marketing working for Merkel/iProspect/Dentsu ad agencies in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Chicago. Zach embraced life and had many friends who loved him and his gregarious personality. He was gifted with a love of gardening as well as landscape and interior design. He always sought adventure traveling extensively. His favorite places visited were Japan, Italy and Israel. He loved animals especially he and Yossi’s beloved dog Oscar. Zach and his husband, Yossi were married on July 24, 2016. Zach is survived by Yossi, his parents, sister Addie (Mark) Marvin, Monticello, IN and brother Nathaniel (Sarah) Simon and their daughters Evelyn and Grace (Louisville, KY). Parents-in-law Berdie and Beni Held. Sister-in-law Talia (Zander) Brown (Portland, OR) and their two sons Elliott and Miles, brothers-in-law David (Natalia) Held and daughters Adria, Ilanit, Rose and Lilly, Gadi Held (Los Angeles, CA). He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Services will be Tuesday November 19, 2024 at 10 AM at Chicago Jewish Funeral located at 8851 Skokie Blvd, Skokie IL, 60077. The Interment will take place immediately following the services at Memorial Park Cemetery at 9900 Gross Point Road, Skokie IL, 60076. Contributions in Zachary’s memory may be made to ColonTown, 969 Diggs Road, Crownsville, MD 21032, paltown.app.neoncrm.com/forms/11, StandWithUs, File 2215, 1801 W Olympic Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91199-2215, www.standwithus.com/donate. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

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Gossip-

I don’t know if you remember me but I knew you in college I. Flagstaff, Arizona. You’re enormous
Our heart has resonated with me my entire life.

I am shattered for you, for this loss, all I am certain of is that you two shared a love incomparable to others and lived a rich and loving existence together. He will always be with you. I am sending you all my love my dear. To you and your family. Endless love.

Love always,

Laura

Laura Tucker
November 15, 2024
Dear Yossi,
Please accept our sincerest condolences for the recent passing of your husband Zachary. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Warmly,
Susan and Robert Millner

Susan Brent Millner
November 15, 2024
Yossi so sorry for your loss! Our love and prayers to you and all the family!

Brenda & John Wilson
November 15, 2024
Zach worked for me at Bugaboo. He was such a pleasure to be around that even when bringing in issues to my office I looked forward to having him sit down and talk it out.

He was smart and dedicated and brought a sassy and fun culture to the office with his ready laugh.

I had always hoped we would work together again someday, and perhaps we will in some other lifetime, but I’m glad that, even outside of the office , after we had both moved on to other opportunities, I got to enjoy his company and friendship.

Heather Bennett
November 15, 2024
Yossi, I am devastated to learn of your loss. I know how much you loved and cared for each other. I can only hope that you savor the memories of the time you had to get her and the joy Zach spread to the world.

Dana Corman
November 15, 2024
I’m wrecked by this news. I worked with Zach when he was our partner at Comcast. He was a ray of sunshine- we all loved working with him. We continued to stay in touch over social media media- I didn’t know he was sick. I’m so heartbroken to hear this news and didn’t have the opportunity to tell him and special he was.

I’m so sorry for your loss. He was such a bright light, sending you so much love .

Xo
Jill

Jill Obrien
November 15, 2024
Dear John and Ruth,
You have my deepest sympathy! Words cannot express this loss. I will always remember Zach with a wonderful smile and happy spirit. May you be comforted with love of friends and family.

With love,
Sherri Allen

Sherri Allen
November 15, 2024
I am so very sorry for your loss of Zach. I had the pleasure meeting you and Zach at Tim Klein and Ben’s wedding in Minnesota.
Zach had such a sincere and exuberant personality.

Thinking of you,
Sandy Bergman (Marnie Silver’s mom)

Sandy Bergman
November 15, 2024
Dear Yossi. Our hearts go out to you. We are very sorry for your loss. George and Helen Brown

George and Helen Brown
November 16, 2024
I want to say I'm so sad by the loss of Zach. My condolences to Yossi, his family, and friends. Zach had a good heart, he was always so kind to me. He had such a beautiful smile and I'll remember it forever. Thank you for being a great person, you will forever be missed.

Veronica Jeronimo
November 16, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss.

Andrew White
November 17, 2024
John and Ruth:

Cindi and I learned today of your heartbreaking loss of Zack. We are extremely sad to hear the news. Please know we are thinking of you and sending love your way.

Mark

Mark Stephenson
November 17, 2024
Zach has always been a shining light in my life. My memories of us with him in Maui when we were younger, and the many times he visited in Las Vegas, will forever be cherished… I am grateful he made time for us when he could. He made me feel safe and at home. I love you Zach - forever and always. May you know and feel how much you were loved by myself and many others. Thank you for making a difference my life. A hui hou - until we meet again.

Megan Brown
November 18, 2024
Zach and Yossi were the best neighbors one could ever ask for. They lived next to us in Los Angeles on David Avenue. We spent a lot of time talking, sharing some food over the fence, going through the Covid times together as they were some of the closest neighbors and friends in those cautiously careful circles to us during that time. We were blessed to learn a lot about them, meet Oscar and he met our pack of four pups. Zach really had that knack for design, their yard is beautiful and the changes they made to their home together were great. Our little visits on the sidewalk invariably turned in to long conversations with Zach or Yossi saying they had to get rolling reluctantly, but always picked up at some point. They are a Ying and Yang couple, enhancing each others lives, couple-ship and conversationalists. Hearing this stunning news is really difficult. When they moved it was selfishly really hard to see them go, though we did end up with lots of their last minute things to get rid of after the shipping truck left. Zach was giving us lots of their perishables, propane tanks and last but not least hugs to say bye for now to. I add these odds and ends, because it was cute and funny, but allowed us the fortitude to have them around for a little longer at our table. An odd thing, but truly when we used an item, it was a memory. Yossi and Zach are a perfect fit. Your move was difficult, your passing unbearable. Yossi, we love you, Zach rest in peace in heaven, knowing we love and appreciated the luck of calling you neighbor, doggy dad, partner to Yossi and friend to us. Love, Amy, Carl and our fur gang, Harry, Lucky and Papi.

Carl McKay
November 18, 2024
Dear Yossi, family and friends,
It was such a pleasure to meet Zach and be his hospice nurse. Thank you all for keeping him safe and comfortable at home on his final journey.
Holding you close to my heart.❤️
Sheila RN

Sheila Aird
November 19, 2024
We pray for you.

Ron Barnes
November 19, 2024
Yossi, Ruth, John and your families - I am so sorry to hear this news and my thoughts are with all of you. The only solace I can find is that he isn't suffering any more.

I met Zach in the Fall of 2020 through work when we both were living in Los Angeles. We became fast friends and shared many jokes, dreams and occasional lunches at Loqui. I convinced him to join me to attend his first Dodger game - neither of us really cared about the game and instead enjoyed all that was happening around us. I invited him and Yossi to come to my home for dinner and they soon returned the favor. I have no idea what we ate but I will always remember the side-splitting laughter we shared. He came up with the idea to rent a duffy boat, once for a team event and once when his parents were visiting LA. I was fortunate to be able to join both of these events and will always remember the sunsets we saw.

Zach is my friend and I will always keep him in my heart. RIP Zach.

Melissa Handley
November 19, 2024
Zach, I'm so sorry you are no longer here with us but I will always remember you. Even in the short time you were in my life I remember it vividly with love and laughter. You were (and are) an inspiration. Please look down and keep an eye on all of those you love and who will miss you dearly.

Travis Sherer
November 19, 2024
My dear YOSSI, Ruth, John, Held and Simon Family
Words cannot express the heartfelt loss of Zach. Zach was a beautiful, kind and loving beacon of light to All that knew him and had the honor of calling him a son, sibling, husband, in-law and friend.
I wish you All Strength, Love, Peace. May his memory forever be a blessing and may his Precious Soul watch over all of us.יהיה זכרו ברוך ❣️

Rita Hochenbaum
November 19, 2024
Words fail to express our deep sorrow. Zach’s warmth, charm and wit lightened and brightened every situation. He had a glint in his eye and a mischievous grin. I can never hear “867-5309/Jenny” again without thinking of Zach. May his memory be a blessing.

With much love and sympathy,

Steven Hamblin & Frank Meister

Steven Hamblin
November 19, 2024
Yossi - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved husband. Your SWU family is here for you. Sending all of my love and comfort. May his memory be a blessing.

Shira Gould
November 19, 2024
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Zach. Words cannot truly capture the pain of such a loss, but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love and support of those around you and in the cherished memories you hold dear.

Debbie Metzger
November 19, 2024
Dear Yossi, Oscar and the rest of Zach's family,
I first met Zach around twenty years ago in London. We have had some fun times over the years since then, in London ( at our house, out and about and at Kew Gardens), and Ireland (missing the plane) and laughing about kissing the Blarney Stone ( which we did not do), and Pittsburgh, and Indiana. There have been lots of belly laughs and deep chats too. He has been a truly "good person" with his twinkly eyes and cheeky sense of humour but also a non-judgemental listening ear. Though we haven't seen each other much over the last couple or so years I always knew he was there at the end of the Whatsapp. Kevin and I will miss him lots.

Love Flick, Kev and Isobel

Flick (Felicity ) McSherry
November 19, 2024