A TAYSIDE couple has spoken of the “enormous void” left in their lives after the death of their 42-year-old son.
Simon Massie, of Arbroath, died following a spell of illness.
He had battled a serious bowel problem in the months leading up to his death.
Simon was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away this month at Ninewells Hospital.
Today, his parents Brenda, 71, and Alan Massie, 72, paid tribute to their son who led a “good life”, despite having to cope with his learning difficulties from birth.
Brenda said: “He became ill on April 14.
“He had a bowel condition and had a perforation of the bowel and sepsis.
“Simon had a respiratory arrest while he was on the way to recovering from that and his heart stopped.
“They revived him and took him back to the intensive care unit but in the end they had to take him off the ventilator and machines.”
Brenda and Alan described Simon as “very independent” and also “resourceful”.
He would be seen regularly working out at the Arbroath Sports Centre and Saltire Centre.
He was well-known to shop keepers and bus drivers alike, who would always look out for him.
Simon was described by his parents as “a man of few words” but “always cheerful and full of life”.
Brenda said: “Simon went to the gym a lot and would use the treadmill and he would also go to an aqua fitness class.
“He would like to wander around the streets and would buy CDs.
“He liked pop music and he had all the Now CD compilations.
“He was a determined person.
“You couldn’t keep him in and he had his routines.
“Having his mobile phone was good because we could always find him that way and pick him up, but he was always back before tea time.
“We are proud of him.
“I am just happy he was so accepted in Arbroath. People would look out for him.
“Everybody in Arbroath would meet him from time to time.
“He did what he wanted to do and we always felt that people would look out for him.
“I’m happy that he was able to have a good life.”
The family said Simon has left “an enormous void” after passing away on July 2.
His parents also wanted to express their “immense gratitude for the wonderful care” given to Simon by the staff of ICU Ninewells.
They also gave thanks for the “support and tolerance of all the local people for the freedom Simon enjoyed to live life to the full”.
Simon was also a regular visitor to Dundee as he would often jump on buses to go shopping in the city centre.
Simon leaves behind Brenda, Alan, brother Steven, 51, and sister Claire, 46.
A celebration of Simon’s life will take place at George Stewart Funeral Directors Chapel of Rest, Millgate Loan, Arbroath, tomorrow at 11am.
Thereafter mourners can go to Western Cemetery, to which all family and friends are respectfully invited.
Donations can be made at the chapel door to Enable Scotland.