Simon Anwar was born Anwar Khan in Madar, India which later became Madar, Pakistan after the partition which divided the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan. He was the only child born to his parents. His mother died when he was only a toddler. His father later married Muriel Das and he had five stepbrothers and sisters including: Archie Maxwell Khan, Ernest Khan, Viola Khan, Edna Khan, and Harold Khan (all deceased except for Ernest Khan). Simon’s early years are not well documented. It is known that after the death of his mother, he was sent to live with either distant relatives or friends because his father was not able to meet the needs of a young child. It is known that his early years were difficult. He did not speak much about these years, other than to say that he was required to work long hours in the house. After his father remarried, he was brought back to his father’s home. It is believed that he was around 11 or 12 when he came back home. His father was a colporteur evangelist and stepmother were housemother for the girls in the boarding school in Chuhar Kana, Pakistan. After being brought back to his father’s home he was able to resume his education. Simon studied to become an accountant and Spicer Memorial College in Pune, India. This is a Seventh-Day Adventist institution of higher education. The trip to the college was a two-day train ride from his home in Chuhar Kana which was in the Punjab section of Pakistan. This prohibited frequent trips home. He finally returned home with a degree in accounting and assumed the position of financial management of the Seventh-Day Adventist hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. In 1960 Simon married Akhtar Justin and they immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1963. Romilla was born in Pakistan in 1961 and Russell was born one year later in 1962. Simon left his family behind in Pakistan and traveled to England on a ship. It was his first set voyage, and he became very seasick on the ship. He traveled with his maternal cousin with only twenty British pounds in their possession. His initial days in England were difficult. He found work as a bookkeeper after great effort. He saved up money and after several months sent for his family to join him in England. His wife, Akhtar and his children travelled by plane to England to join him in 1963. The years in England were marked by hard work. During this time their youngest child, Ronald, was born in 1965. After spending about ten years in England he immigrated to the United States. In 1972. This move was made because his sister-in-law, Beulah Justin had moved to America and was eager for her sister and her family to join her here. The early years in America were difficult and he found work as a bookkeeper after knocking on doors. He quickly learned the streets of downtown Manhattan and found his first job for a meatpacking company there. In 1977 he was hired as the administrative business manager at Greater New York Academy of Seventh Day Adventists. He spent almost 28 years at this facility where he was well-respected and met his lifelong friend, David Cadavero, the school principal who visited regularly after his stroke in 2017. Simon was a humble and selfless man. He thought only of his wife, children, and later grandchildren. After living in Queens, New York for almost 32 years, he and his wife moved to Chatham, NJ to be in close proximity to the family of his son, Russell. He spent many hours caring for his grandchildren. Sadly, in July of 2017 he suffered a devastating stroke which left him paralyzed on the right side. Afterwards he was unable to walk, eat and although he was able to speak simple sentences, he was never again able to have long conversations because of his expressive aphasia (a language deficit.) Nevertheless, he was able to comprehend and always expressed love with his smiles and simple sentences. Despite his disability and complete dependance on others, he never once complained. Neither did he express pain or discomfort. His influence on his children and grandchildren was strong and he will live on in their hearts forever. In addition, he was loved by the entire extended family and by many friends. He won the heart of everyone with whom he came in contact. With his unassuming and pleasant disposition there was no one who did not find themselves drawn to him. He was the stable rock on which the entire Anwar family was built. His children accomplished much because of their father’s sacrifices. He told them that he never dreamed that he would ever owning an automobile. He was known for riding his bicycle everywhere and during his time in England, his bicycle was his primary form of transport. He never ate at a restaurant until his children took him after they began working. He was grateful for everything God had given him and lived his life to reflect that. Simon will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Simon is survived by his wife, Akhtar Anwar, his children, Romilla Anwar-Wadhwa, Russell Anwar, Ronald Anwar, his grandchildren, Simon Anwar, Rishi Wadhwa and Jacqueline Anwar, his brother, Ernest Khan and a host of nieces and nephews. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Simon Anwar. Leave a message on the Tribute Wall to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy and comfort.