The Observation Deck

Declan with his daughter Moira at this years Arts Festival.

Declan Simon, age 59 passed away this week after a prolonged battle with Cancer. Declan
was the consummate Irishman, having been born to Harry and Eileen in Dublin, Ireland.

Those that knew Declan knew he was always smiling, full of love and wonderment. Harry
was a union organizer, and cornerstone of the Cleveland Irish. Declan easily took on that
mantle, and wore it well. While many might remember him from his 31 years with US
District Court, many more know him for being the drummer in various Irish bands, and
in the Haze, in Lakewood back in the 70s.

He is survived by his sister Melanie, Francis, and brother Ciaran, and his son Daniel, and
daughter Moria.

Declan you are already missed my Irish brother.


Moira asking, "How can you not love this guy?" she was right.

Friends can stop by McGorray-Hanna Funeral Home, Friday 6-9pm. A funeral mass will
be held at St. Patrick's Church, 3602 Bridge Ave. at 11 am on Saturday, where he was a
longtime volunteer. a lunch reception at the Harp from 1-3pm.

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face.May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.


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Haze Reunion with Declan.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/gary-rice/lhs-class-of-70-and-haze-rock-on

A story about the band.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/read/2009/11/17/groovy-and-grownup-the-lhs-class

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Actually, there are two bands involved with those photos.

The top photo represents most of the original HAZE band at the Lakewood High Class of '70's 40th reunion.

The second photo represents most of the original SKIE band taken at the Lakewood High Class of '69's 40th reunion.

I invited Declan to play with SKIE on that occasion. I had been SKIE's drummer in 1970 at the July Lakewood Day Battle of the Bands where SKIE and HAZE tied for the city championship. (to my surprise too, because I always felt that HAZE beat us with their show) I decided to move over to the guitar and let Declan take "my job" that evening at our reunion, and there were no complaints about that at all!

SKIE and HAZE were two pioneer Cleveland area "hard rock" bands.

Declan and I both took drums from the same nationally known rudimental drum teacher.

Our parents bought both of us the best (and very similar) drumsets they could find from the same manufacturer, only Declan's was silver sparkle. Mine was pink champagne sparkle.

There are drummers, and then, there are rudimental drummers. Declan was a superlative rudimental drummer and a tremendous entertainer, as well.

He also played astonishing drums with the Irish/American group "Emerald".

It was my honor to personally take Declan's drum set down to the funeral home and set them up for today's viewing. Declan still had the exact same set that he used so effectively with HAZE in 1970, and it is set up just as he used them; damaged cymbals as well.

I've helped to get a lot of instruments ready for display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, but never have I had a greater honor than setting up my friend's and arch drum-rival's set of drums.

Rock on forever, my dear friend.

Forget the banjo today, back to the drums!

Just want to thank everyone who showed up this evening to support Declan's family. The line stretched through several rooms and even down the steps and out the door of the funeral home!

Lakewood really does know how to honor its own.

Farewell my dear friend.

Drum on.

Hard hit.
Love you, Declan,
Can still feel that last big hug,