Collie & Michael Jackson & Sutro (CCI puppy in training)

(Now doesn't that just look like Kent?)

Most Northwest CCI people know Kent for the videotapes of all the graduations over the past 10 years. Each NW graduate received a professionally made videotape of the graduation ceremony. Since graduation follows the intensive two week team training, most graduates are exhausted and overwhelmed with emotion by the time graduation day comes. The graduates and puppy raisers of the graduating dogs are usually in a fog during the ceremony. So having the videotape is not only a treasured memento of a very special moment but also an opportunity to see what happened that day.

Kent and Sally Simcoe and Sally's Service Dog Shelby were part of the original founding members of South Bay Chapter. Kent was the media guru and was a big help to us by making copies of CCI videos so we weren't running the same tapes back and forth between the volunteers doing presentations.

He even trusted us with his vcr monitor. It was typical of him to be willing to help in any way he could. If you offered to compensate him for his trouble, his answer was, "you couldn't afford me" and he'd do it for you anyway.

We were disappointed when Kent and Sally (and Shelby) left the South Bay for Roseville. However, the Simcoes remained our friends and honorary South Bay Chapter members even though they were "claimed" by the Gold Rush Chapter.

Although Sally and Kent don't seek recognition for their "pro bono" work for CCI, I am glad that both were honored for their contributions at one of the NW graduations last year. I would feel badly if we had not done so before he left us.

Somewhere out there is a puppy named Simcoe. One of our South Bay breeders just had an "S" litter on May 24. We are submitting Simcoe II as one of the names of the pups as South Bay's tribute to Kent. His cheerful smile will be missed at future graduations and NW events. The South Bay CCI family sends their love and condolences to Sally and Shelby.

Linda Cortez
South Bay Chapter President
NW Regional Board President

This memorial site will be expanding. If you would like to send something to share, please click this link. He meant a lot to a lot of people, probably more than any of us can realize. Photos are a welcome addition.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Kent's memory to Canine Companions for Independence or Pleasant Grove Community Church, his 2 favorite charities.