Shimon Yair, known as "Simon" from Yossi Banai's poem "I and Simon and Little Moises", passed away yesterday at the age of 92. Yair left behind children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was buried in Jerusalem, where he lived all his life.
The song was written by Yossi Banai and composed by Hanan Yuval in 1980. It is one of the songs most identified with Banai and in it he describes his childhood experiences in Jerusalem alongside his two best friends - brothers Simon and Moises.
Shimon Yair's niece, Ayelet Yair, paid tribute to her uncle on Facebook: "Simon had many good qualities and virtues, but above all, he was an exemplary family man. To maintain the unity of the extended family, he would 'manage' regular hospitality tables for us. We often grumbled about it that he 'gives orders' instead of consulting
, but in retrospect I understand how right he was. He cultivated family ties of all kinds. With his wife Ruthie, with his nuclear family. He knew how to accept and accommodate everyone and shower immense concern and love everywhere.
"For a decade and a half after my grandmother passed away - he still managed to maintain the unity of the extended family. In
doing so, he did us all a great favor. After the moving funeral (!!) held for him today, I remembered that when I was asked (as a child) what Uncle Simon does (for a living) I answered simply : He helps people. It actually says everything. Dear Simon. How many were your virtues! You made us very sad when you left (despite your extreme age!), we will miss you very much!".
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