Simeon LaRiviere passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. Sim, as he was more commonly known, was born in Yakima on June 4, 1944. He originally moved to San Juan Island in the late 1970s to be a caretaker for the San Juan County Park. Later, he sold souvenirs and novelties at the family owned store, Wisenheimers. Locals may remember him for his homemade root beer, which he vended at the Farmer’s Market, 30 odd years ago. More recently, people may recognize him through his vibrant and tactual paintings that he enjoyed exhibiting at the county fair, library, and in various businesses around town. He had a thirst for knowledge, which he quenched by studying, reading, and writing. He also took great joy in extracting laughter from others, friends and strangers alike.

Sim lived a full life, and will be dearly missed by his wife, Mollie Irene Heath. His is survived by his six children: Greg; Geoff; Vincent; Maggie; Josie; and Charlotte; and five grandchildren, whom will always hold fond memories of him within their hearts.

“Now I can see

the moon down the hill.

I hear the wind crying

in the dry branches of the trees.

Rain is pattering on the ground.

I am the rain.

I am the land,

and the grass will grow out of me

in a little while.” Love, Sim

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services and the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center Thank you.