Much respected Magaliesburg MD Mike Simpson dies
February 20th, 2012 by Susan Reynard | Categories: hotels, industry, people
Mike Simpson (Michael John Simpson), highly respected MD of Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg, died tragically on the evening of Wednesday, 15 February 2012 in a car accident on the Broederstroom Road. It is reported that a truck allegedly collided with the vehicle he was driving. He was only 44 years old.
Simpson was understood the hospitality industry and dedicated his career to the professional management of properties, staff and guests. Prior to heading up Valley Lodge & Spa, he was GM of the neighbouring Mount Grace Hotel in Magaliesburg, and before that managed the Sabi-Sabi Game Lodge in Mpumalanga.
Simpson is survived by his wife Fiona and children Nicole, James, Gregor and Erin, his twin brother Bruce, sister Diane and parents John and Penny.
“This is a devastating loss to us and the incredible team Mike created at our hotel; this honourable man had not only run our country hotel successfully for the past 9 years, but was also regarded as a son and friend to us,” said Italo and Leila Mazzoni, owners of Valley Lodge & Spa.
Tilly Smith-Dix of Tilly Smith Publicist & PR, publicist to Valley Lodge & Spa for the past 13 years, says of the enormous loss: “I cannot describe my sadness in losing this vibrant colleague and trusted friend of the past nine years. A devoted husband, father and gifted manager, he set high standards for others in this industry to follow and respect. My thoughts are with Fiona and their family – he will be missed.”
Susan Reynard, Gauteng editor of Hotel & Restaurant, adds: “I had the honour of interviewing Mike Simpson at both Mount Grace and Valley Lodge, and his passion for the hospitality industry, his family and the bush were impressive. He made time for staff and guests and always had an eye out for ways to improve the guest experience. In the minds of his many friends and colleagues he will forever be associated with the Magaliesburg and an endless well of good humour and professionalism.”
A memorial service for Mike Simpson will be held on the banks of the Magalies River at Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg on Wednesday, 22 February 2012, starting at 13h00. Contact www.valleylodge.co.za for more information.
my sympathy to his family
my Dearest sympathy to his family and working colleagues
A great and humble hotelier of whom we have so few in South Africa!
Our dearest and deepest sympathy to Mike’s whole family – his wife Fiona, all his kids, Mom and Dad, his sister and his twin brother. May you always remember Mike for the wonderful person he was. May his legacy live on.
A thorough gentleman, Mike was one of the finest hoteliers that I have met.
Our heartfelt sympathies to Mike’s family and everybody at Valley lodge.
Oh, this is such sad news and our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, children and family. He will be missed by all at Valley Lodge too as he was a man of such depth and genuine concern for everyhting and everybody. A real GOOD man.
I remember Mike as GM of SABI SABI from many years ago – he had such passion for his people (guests & his staff), also the environment so many of our pristine hotels and lodges are situated in, and he ensured we always had fun whilst working there. Sympathy to his family and colleagues.
We have lost a collegue and a fellow hotelier. We had so much to learn from this excellent man. Our sympathy goes out to Michael’s family and close friends.
Hurrah! In the end I got a web site from where I be
capable of in fact obtain helpful information regarding my study and knowledge.