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Councillors remember 91ƵKelowna community builder91Ƶ Jeff Simla

91ƵHe stepped up when the need was there91Ƶ
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Jeff Simla. (Metro Community Church/Facebook)

Two Kelowna councillors fondly remembered their friend Jeff Simla at Monday91Ƶs (June 5) council meeting.

Coun. Luke Stack paid tribute to Simla who died suddenly on May 27.

91ƵJeff was one of my closest friends. He was a Kelowna community builder. He stepped up when the need was there.91Ƶ

Stack added that Simla served the community in two important areas that are also council priorities.

Simla worked with Stack at the Society of Hope, starting as a director and eventually becoming president. He later became the executive pastor of Metro Community Church (MCC) and helped establish the metro hub downtown.

The Society of Hope provides affordable housing in the Central Okanagan, and the MCC offers programs and services to people experiencing homelessness.

91ƵHe was right on the front line,91Ƶ added Stack. 91ƵHe was working with people, he was fundraising, delivering the programs. People loved him.91Ƶ

Coun. Ron Cannan, who spoke at Simla91Ƶs celebration of life, knew him for more than 30 years.

91ƵHe called me the day before (May 26), we talked for about half an hour and the next morning he went for a bike ride and had a heart attack and passed away.91Ƶ

Coun. Stack added Simla made the Kelowna community a better place.

91ƵJeff was a man of faith. He was sensitive. He was very kind and a loving husband and father to his grandchildren.91Ƶ

Simla is survived by his wife of 35 years, his two daughters and four grandchildren.

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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