November 13th, 1987 – Andre Simon was born to Michael Simon (Antigua) and Glennis Simon (Guyana). He was raised in Antigua along with his four other siblings. His early education was at the Foundation Mixed School, and then at the Antigua Grammar School. At the age of 10, Simon’s father died, leaving his mother to be the primary provider for the family.
Andre’s academic studies continued at Antigua State College and later at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in New York, where he obtained an Associate Degree in Business Management Studies. He made the college’s Dean’s List with a consistent 4.0 GPA. He also excelled in the International Olympic Committee’s – Olympic Solidarity’s Sport Management Programme.
Beyond academics, Simon served as President of the Student Government Association at BMCC.
Simon is best known for his cycling accomplishments. From a very young age, he was a member of the Antigua Pioneers Sports Club, having competed in regional and international cycling tournaments, including the Pan American Games, the Tobago Cycling Classic, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) championship. He is a two-time local cycling champion and winner of the 2013 OECS Cycle championship held in St. Lucia. In 2014, he competed in the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.His commitment to the sport led him to create the Andre Simon Cycling Association in 2021.
In addition to cycling, Simon also held an interest in canoeing and served as President of the Antigua and Barbuda Canoeing/Kayaking Association. He also co-founded the AUA Tinman Rohr Triathlon in November 2011.
His outstanding performances earned him nominations for Sportsman of the Year on two occasions, in Triathlon (2011) and Cycling (2015).
Outside of the sporting arena, Simon was known as a male model and popular on the carnival band launch circuit and other seasonal fashion events.
He served as a meteorological officer in the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Meteorological Services from 2008.
On May 8, 2022, whilst engaging in one of his passions, cycling, tragedy struck. Simon was struck by a vehicle and remained comatose until June 2023, when he passed. He was returned home from TIRR Memorial Hospital in Texas, where he was medically boarded until his death.
At the Service of Thanksgivng forAndre, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Federation, St Clair Williams, spoke about Simon’s genuine nature, work ethic, and “infectious smile” . He remembered the legacy Andre left behind. “I think as a body, as a fraternity, he would be well missed and I think we should take his work ethic…in the sport and make it an example for the young ones to follow, [as well as] for the not-so-young ones and I think if we do that, cycling will continue on a prosperous path,”.
During the eulogy, his brother, Dwayne Simon, spoke extensively about Andre’s love for his mother, his son, his family, and the cycling community. “I believe God gave us a gift…I think Andre and God had a meeting and said, ‘we are going to give his family and the people he loves a gift’ and I believe the gift was Andre staying with us for an additional 13 months and I am eternally grateful to God for that. I think he would say to the family that you are going to be sad for a while, but he wants us to live our best lives as he did his.” Dwayne believed that had his brother died immediately, it would have been too difficult for his family to cope, thus his remarks.
He is memorialised in the annual Andre Simon Memorial Race held in his honour in November. Proceeds go toward road safety education.