Former Lawrence mayor and holocaust survivor Simon Felder, dies at 88
Former Lawrence village mayor, trustee, neighbor and friend to many, C. Simon Felder died at 88, on Aug. 2.
“Friendly, funny, personable, honest, charismatic,” Aaron Felder, Simon’s son and current Lawrence village trustee said of how many people have described his father.
Simon was a holocaust survivor. He was born in Amsterdam in 1935, lived through a concentration camp in Germany from the age of six and a half to nine, then immigrated to the United States, where he lived in Brooklyn.
His professional life led him to Philadelphia for a decade and then he moved to Lawrence in 1974, where he raised his three children, who lived nearby until his last days.
“We were very close,” Aaron said. “We’ve lived in the same neighborhood together, throughout my life.”
Upon arriving in Lawrence, it didn’t take Simon long to get involved.
“He realized the community was growing very quickly and certain needs needed to be addressed, specifically the Orthodox Jewish community that was growing there,” Aaron said.
Simon served on the Lawrence village board for 18 years and as part of the Lawrence Civic Association and the village’s Board of Zoning Appeals. In his professional career, he worked as a chemical engineer and later in health care.
“His interests were public service,” Aaron said. “He always taught me to be responsible and care for others.”
Michael Fragin, a former Lawrence trustee, served alongside Simon.
“He was a neighbor, he was a real role model, he was a trailblazer for the Orthodox (Jewish) community in local governments,” Fragin said.
Fragin believed that Simon’s success came from his “personal warmth,” and “European gentlemanliness,” he said. Simon appreciated the United States for all that it had to offer, Fragin said.
“It was a real privilege to serve alongside him,” Fragin said. “He was always was a great neighbor.”
Martin Oliner, also a former mayor of Lawrence village, said Simon was someone admired by all.
“Simon was an extraordinary human being,” Oliner wrote in a text message. “Because of his experiences during the holocaust he was sensitive to everyone he met.”
Before serving on the Lawrence village board, Simon shared his experience in the Holocaust, globally, speaking at academic, political and religious events. He brought the same knowledge to the village board, making Holocaust discussions a priority.
His wisdom and kindness are the two things Aaron will miss most about his father, he said.
“A gentleman and a man for all seasons, his dedication to his wife Miriam, his family and the community was unequalled,” Oliner said.
Simon is survived by his wife Miriam Felder, his sons Aaron and Joseph B. Felder and his daughter Suri Flegmann and their families.
A funeral was held on Aug. 2 at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Lawrence.
