THE funeral has taken place of a Newcastle man whose son was one of ‘The Disappeared’ during the Troubles.
Ninety three year-old Walter Simons, who was described as a “tireless victims campaigner”, died at his Bernagh Green home on Sunday, July 7.
He was laid to rest beside his wife, Mary, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Bryansford, following Requiem Mass last Wednesday.
Mr Simons’ 26 year-old son, Eugene Simons, went missing on New Year’s Day 1981. He was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA. His remains were discovered by chance three years later in a bog in Co Louth.
The Wave Trauma Centre said Mr Simons was a “strong lobbyist and supporter” for the families of the Disappeared even after his own son’s body was found.
In a social media tribute it said: ”He attended every Mass and travelled to each of the search sites if possible. He never forgot the struggle and turmoil the families faced in searching for their loved ones.”
It added: ”Despite recent ill health he still asked about the ongoing search for Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, who was kidnapped by the IRA in 1975. The McVeigh family were never far from his thoughts.”
Columba’s brother, Oliver, described Mr Simons as a “wonderful, kind and civil man.”
Mr Simons lived to see his daughter, Sheila Simons-Boden, being awarded an MBE by the Queen earlier this year.
Mrs Simons-Boden dedicated her life to protecting vulnerable women and children from abuse in their homes in her role as social work manager for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
In an interview with the Recorder in January, she said: “I understood quite early in life about the effects of trauma. Eugene was married with three children when he was murdered and my mother and father took in his three children. I saw how my parents were able to make their lives as normal as possible which led to some healing for all of us.”
The tragedy was also the inspiration behind the play, The Ferryman, written by Jez Butterworth and directed by Sam Mendes, which opened in London and moved to New York where it won four Tony Awards. It opened on Broadway last October
and had its final performance on the day Mr Simons passed away.
A portrait of Mr Simons was also captured by Belfast artist Colin Davidson for his collection, Silent Testimony, which includes portraits of people who experienced loss during the Troubles.
Mr Davidson posted the portrait on Twitter, adding: “Rest in peace dear Walter,” following news of his death.
Mr Simons is survived by his children, Moira, Patricia, Angela, Brian, Nuala, Brendan, Maureen, Sheila, Geraldine, Pauline and Oonagh.