STAMPBOARDS - Postage Stamp Chat Board and Stamp Forum

It is my sad duty to report that Simon Dunkerley, senior stampboards member and Moderator, and very good friend and colleague for 30 years, has passed away at home in the past day.

Simon had health problems for some time - he had just turned 50 years of age.

Simon Dunkerley was a leading Melbourne dealer in errors and rarities etc, and wrote a column on that field for "Stamp News" each month.

He was a past President of ASDA (APTA), and member of the PTS in London. He had served on the Expertising Committee of the Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria. (RPSV.)

Simon actively consulted with the Editor of Stanley Gibbons catalogues each year to keep them updated with true market prices, and new error and missing colour discoveries. Likewise with the Australasian Commonwealth Specialists Catalogue (ACSC) Editor.

He was especially active in getting crooks banned from ebay after offering forged official perfins and overprints and postmarks from this region. 26 different handles - near all from the same person were banned by ebay, and thus saved collectors a fortune due to his tireless work in that field -

http://stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=242

Simon was very active in stamps at many levels ... and he started at a very young age.

The "age" rules were changed at the Brighton Philatelic Society so that he could join at the tender age of 12 and receive approval books. (The age HAD been 18.) He ran a stamp shop for a week on his own - at age 12.

Simon won a Large Silver at the 'Cuppex 87' National for his exhibit of Western Australia postal fiscal stamps.

He was one of the most knowledgeable and most respected dealers to ever sell stamps in this country, and he will be missed enormously. By dealers and collectors alike. A real gentleman. No collector or dealer ever said a bad word about Simon.

Simon was my best friend in the Dealer Community, and his wise advice and counsel, and input over the decades was immense, and generously given at all times.

Simon was a Foundation member on http://www.stampboards.com since we started up, (he was member 39 to be precise) and he gladly served as a Volunteer Moderator, working for the benefit of the other members here.

I'll miss him greatly.

We've had probably 100 dinners together, on 3 continents over the decades, and he was a real gentleman and man of honour. He had been very active for years in Church activities in his home region of Blackburn South in Melbourne.

He got a Bachelor of Economics degree at Monash University. Then studied further part-time for two years towards an MBA at Melbourne University. Readers can readily see where his love of graphs and price % rises etc all came from.

I wrote this front page feature story on Simon for the American "Stamp Wholesaler" magazine in mid 1999, and it outlines his stamp background and interests - much of it in his own words:

http://www.glenstephens.com/dunkerly.html

Simon made over 750 posts on this Bulletin Board, and the stamp knowledge and detail in each one was a feature of them, and is a legacy he can be enormously proud of.

These posts summed up Simon's approach to stamps - he never commented on anything until he had thought about it carefully, and had thoroughly researched all his facts.

Simon and Angela both spent a great deal of time and energy on Christian Church related activities, and I know those religious among us will have them both in their prayers.

My sincere condolences to wife Angela, and his two children Stephanie and Andrew at this difficult time.

Glen Stephens


Simon - R. I. P.


===============

I have just heard from Arthur Gray that a Funeral Service will be held for Simon Dunkerley at the Crossway Baptist Church, 2 Vision Drive, Burwood, Victoria, this coming Friday 27th February, at 1pm.

Sadly I will be on a plane to Chicago at that time, or otherwise would have attended, but if any members were planning to attend, those are the details.

A large section of the stamp trade will be overseas at that time, due to Stampex and Philatex etc in London.

RIP Simon .................... and condolences and prayers again to his family.

Glen


Later Update - my webmaster spent a good deal of time rescuing as far as was possible (as his website had expired) all the detailed 'Stamp News' articles Simon Dunkerley wrote - all now recorded here for posterity -

https://www.glenstephens.com/simondunkerleytribute.html

Very sad news indeed. A huge loss to philately in Australia, and my condolences to his family and many friends.

Very sad news. I always looked forward to his wise, knowledgeable contributions here.

Greg

Very sad news indeed. I shall miss his contributions here very much. I remember his picture being posted several times. He seemed so young.

Another tragic loss, im so sorry to hear this news today.

My sincerest condolences to Simons family, his friends and all that knew him.

His input, knowledge, contributions etc will be missed dearly here on Stampboards and the wider Philatelic community.

Rest in Peace Simon.

Regards,
Maria & Family

What a huge loss.

My condolences to his Family and friends, and all in the Stamp World, who will miss his input very much.

Gosh, I wasn't sure If I had read the title right and very hesitantly opened this thread.

What terribly sad news that Simon Dunkerley has passed away.

I am new to philately but I cannot count the number of times researching stamps that I was lead by google to either Simon's website or his posts here on Stampboards.

The information he shared on the internet is invaluable and I for one am so appreciative I was able to access it.

I can only imagine what those that knew him personally must be going through at this time and our thoughts are with you.

Sincere condolences to Simon's family and friends.

Very Sad news

Di and Family

OttawaMike wrote:
Very sad news indeed. I shall miss his contributions here very much.

I remember his picture being posted several times. He seemed so young.

Simon was several years younger than me, and was just nearing his 50th Birthday, and that's what makes his loss so much sadder, as he normally would have had decades more of philatelic contributions to have made.

We took this shot of him at the stampboards stand at the Canberra show last year, assisting in signing up new members etc.

Extremely sad news.

His contributions to philately are enormous and his many fascinating and insightful posts here on stampboards are a small testament to that.

I'd hoped to catch up with him at the Melbourne Stampshow in July.

Our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.

Tony, Julie & Blake

This an enormous shock to me! I last communicated with Simon some time before Christmas and I certainly was not aware of any health issues.

I am very sad and my condolences go to his family.

I am saddened by the passing of Simon..

He will be missed by all who knew him.

He will be missed at the Stamp Fairs, and the Auctions, where I used to have a few words with him when ever we met. He was always willing to give advice.

His enomous wealth of Knowledge, of Australian Philately will be sadly missed by all.wether they knew Simon or Not, the World is a much Sadder place today.

To Simons Family I send my sincere condolances,

He will be warmly remembered.

Ron Collumbine.

My sincere condolences to Mr. Dunkerleys family.

He was one of the first contacts I had in Australia in philatelic matters.

Robert Linecker

What shocking and sad news. My thoughts are with his family...and of the enormous loss to Australian philately.

I'm so sorry to hear about Simon Dunkerley's passing.

2009 just gets worse.

Please pass on my sincerest condolences to his family.

Losing someone as inclusive as Simon is a sad loss. It makes one realise how precious life and relationships are
Rob

My sincerest condolences to Simon's family and friends and all those members of the philatelic community who will mourn him.

I never met Simon except through Stampboards, but when I saw his name on a posting here, I knew I would read a measured, knowledgeable and thoughtful response.

He will be greatly missed.

Like others I thought I had misread.

I only met Simon once (at the Canberra show) but noticed how many times he solved problems that others could not - usually some time later so that others could have first chance to supply the answer. Quiet and efficient.

A sad loss indeed.

Vale Simon.

A man who earned huge respect from both collectors and his colleagues.

A very sad loss to his family, many friends and to the philatelic world.

Bad news which I got this morning here in Austria.

I will miss the nice and friendly contact with Simon and his knowledge!!

To Simon's Family I send my sincere condolences.............

Martin
(koala-austria)

My sincerest condolences to Simon's family.

Yes, vale Simon.

An adornment to philately, and a thoroughly good bloke.

Our condolences and prayers to his family.

Clive Willingham

This is a shock. Terrible news, and a huge loss indeed to not just Australian but world philately.

Condolences to his family.

I only had fleeting contact with Simon but appreciated his generous assistance and advice freely given.

My most sincere condolences to his family and friends, he will be greatly missed.

Peter J Frankcom

Simon has been a friend and colleague for around 20 years. I heard of his passing yesterday afternoon and I am typing this at 1.20am, unable to sleep I have returned to the office.

The impact on Australian philately will be huge, we cannot begin to imagine the contribution this man has made to our hobby.

Stamp News will be publishing a tribute to Simon in our April edition, and the complete text will be made available here and on our website at http://www.stampnews.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In memory of Simon we will also be publishing in the near future a Volume to be known as "The Simon Dunkerley Philatelic Archive", which will contain all of his contributions to Stamp News over the years. The profits raised from the sale of this will be donated to his family.

In addition personal memories from his friends and colleagues will form the foreword to this very valuable text.

Please contact me directly for more information about this at:

[email protected]

Kevin Morgan
Editor and Publisher - Stamp News

Kevin, nice to hear from you, although the circumstances are appalling. You're proposing a marvellous tribute, and I'd be happy to assist in any way I can.

I never met Simon, although we corresponded via email. He was a true gentleman and his loss to the philatelic fraternity will be immense.

Very sad news .....sincere condolences to his family .

I had the utmost respect for a man I never met,who several times exchanged very lengthy,detailed and informative emails regarding different matters relating to stamps........For an important person with his knowledge, to be prepared to spare his time and share his wisdom with a nobody was truly remarkable....and no doubt I was just one of many.

This year has certainly not started the right way for stampboarders.

Dieter

Terrible news, a sad loss for Simon's family and Australian philately.

I met and talked to Simon a few times, mainly when I bought material from him on Ebay. He was a real gentleman and easy to talk to, but always on the go.

My condolences to his wife and family.

He will be sadly missed in RSA as well

Rgds

What a terrible, terrible loss of a great talent.

Simon contributed massively to Pierron's online and printed catalogues over the years and never wanted anything in return. Dissemination of information was his pleasure.

He will be missed.

Tom

Very sad news indeed, I too wish my sincere condolences to his family.

I was shocked to learn at the "Royal" last night of Simon's passing.

Simon was a gentleman, always willing to pass on information that may be of interest to you, his contributions will be greatly missed in the "Stamp News" and on Stampboards.
I'll miss the coffee's and chats that we use to have.

Our condolences go to his wife and family.

David and Pat.

What a tragic loss - not only for his friends and family - but the entire philatelic world.

Sincere and heart felt condolences to his family.

Bloody hell!

I am totally shocked at the news of the loss of this great philatelist. I have had many years of dealings with Simon and many discussions about Australian rare stamps.
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
A huge loss to the hobby and everyone.
So young!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sad fate for one so young
Rest in peace Simon
I hope his family recover from the loss.

Stephan

My condolences to Simon's family. We never met but I have read a lot of his writings over the years. Far too young to be gone.

Darren & family.

This is indeed very sad news. Simon's contributions were always most informative and interesting. My sincere condolences to his family.

Tony Mac Gillycuddy

It is very sad to hear this news, my condolences to his family.

Along with some others on the Board, I only had the pleasure of meeting Simon once - at the Canberra show last year. I join with every one else in offering my condolances to his family, and his (obviously) many close friends.

His huge contribution to Philately speaks for itself, and he leave an equally huge vacuum with his passing.

Norm Poyser

I always had great pleasure to read his article in the Stamp New. It is a great loss to the philatelic community , but even more so to his wife and children.

My condolences to the family

Peter

Sad news.

My condolences to Simon's family.

He will be missed greatly by the philatelic community as well as his columns in Stamp News.

Stefy.

So sad news...

The man involved so many in his quest to divulge information on his love for "stamps" in general.

It is unreal that a man of so much wisdom can be taken so young in life when he offered so much to those of us who appreciated his input into our passion ....

RIP

What a tragic loss at such a young age. Like most I was not aware of Simon's health problems and wish to extend my sympathies to all of his family and personal friends at this difficult time.

He was obviously a wonderful ambassador for philately and had such immense knowledge of all aspects willingly sharing it with all including myself on several occasions via private messages through this board.

My thoughts are with you and you will clearly be sadly missed by all.

From the Holy Land,

My condolences to Simon Dunkerley's family.

A great loss for Stampboards and the philatelic community.

Londonbus1

From Hollywood:

My deepest condolences to Mr. Dunkerley's family.

I hadn't the honour of knowing him, but enjoyed his posts and learned a lot about a subject I found fascinating.

So sad to lose him at such an early age.

Simon will be sadly missed.

His encouragment to me in my early days will not be forgotten.

I am pleased to see Kevin Morgan will re publish Simon's output.

Vale Simon, and my respects to his family.

Martyn

I have been asked to post here on behalf of my mum (lisamidge).

She said that Simon was one of first she had contacted since going online some time back, and he was the very supportive in giving his time to her with all things stamp related and was never to busy to respond to her many emails.

She is sure that he will be sadly missed by all those to whom had contact with him.

To Simon's family, we would like to pass on our deepest condolences during this a tragic time. I feel confident he will remain an influence for many years to come with collectors.

Regards
Lisa, Warren and Family.