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Tributes have been paid to a "respected" and "lovely" OV, former finance worker, St Clement Deputy and civil celebrant after he passed away at the age of 62.
Simon Brée died in the care of Jersey Hospice on Thursday 8 February.
Three years earlier, he had come fourth in the 2011 poll for the two parish seats.
After a career in the finance industry in Jersey, Simon Brée was elected Deputy of the parish in 2014, coming a narrow second to Susie Pinel on his second attempt to join the Assembly.
During his time in the States, Mr Brée was active in Scrutiny, chairing the Economic Affairs panel, acting as Vice-Chair of Corporate Services and serving on a range of other panels, including those reviewing Brexit and the future hospital.
Pictured: After a career in Jersey's finance industry, Mr Brée was elected as Deputy of St Clement in 2014.
He was Chair of the latter panel, voting against the single-site Gloucester Street development and advocating an independent review into where the new facility should go. He also sat on the Privileges and Procedures Committee.
Mr Brée was, in some respects, a traditionalist, advocating financial prudence and valuing things he believed made the island distinctive.
In a debate on the Bailiff’s dual role in the 2016, he commented: “We are running the risk of ruining all that is great about Jersey.
"Don’t try to destroy what makes Jersey that place, that island, that we have so much pride in.”
At the end of his four-year term, Mr Brée chose not to contest the 2018 Deputies’ elections, preferring instead to stand for one of the eight vacant Senatorial seats.
At the time, he said: “It has been a great honour to serve as a Deputy for St Clement, and I have been greatly encouraged by the number of people from all over the island who have voiced their support for me in making this move to seek a Senatorial position.”
Mr Brée attracted 10,529 votes in the islandwide contest but ultimately fell 478 short of the eighth place secured by Sam Mézec, finishing 11th out of the 17 candidates.
Pictured: Marcus Troy and Simon Brée stood against each other in the 2022 St Clement Constable election.
Three years later, he made what was to be his final attempt to return to the States, following the death of St Clement Constable Len Norman. He stood against Marcus Troy but attracted 350 votes compared with the successful candidate’s 1,185.
Having spoken out during his time in the States Assembly against any form of discrimination and advocating law change to extend to civil partnership the same rights as married couples, Mr Brée became an authorised civil celebrant conducting wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships throughout the island.
News of Mr Brée's death was met with sadness by the local community, with a number of islanders paying tribute on social media.
Among them were Victoria College alumni, who remembered the "respected celebrant" as kind and "always friendly".
One commented: "Such sad news. I grew up a few doors away from Simon... He was always such a lovely guy and a real shame he was taken so young.
"Thinking of all his family at this sad time."
Another simply said: "Wow, the nicest people go too early."
Housing Minister Deputy Sam Mézec, who served alongside Mr Brée on PPC, said: "Sad to learn that Simon Brée has passed away. He sat in front of me in the Chamber during my first term and we served together on PPC.
"He was very principled and always stood up to the Council of Ministers when he thought they were wrong. RIP."
Sad to learn that Simon Bree has passed away. He sat in front of me in the Chamber during my first term and we served together on PPC. He was very principled and always stood up to the Council of Ministers when he thought they were wrong. RIP. https://t.co/0zoxh3EEnT
— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) February 16, 2024
Express extends its sympathy to Mr Brée’s wife Nicola, his children Claire and Matthew, and the rest of his family.
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