Pacers Co-Owner Mel Simon Passes Away At Age 82 From Cancer

Mel Simon Dies At Age Of 82 After Long Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

Pacers co-Owner MEL SIMON today passed away at the age of 82 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer (Mult., 9/16). The INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL notes Simon, who bought the Pacers in '83 with his brother, HERB, was "instrumental in the resurgence of downtown Indianapolis." Simon in recent years "focused on philanthropic endeavors," including gifts of $10M to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and $50M to the Indiana Univ. Simon Cancer Center. The latter included an endowment in honor of his late son JOSHUA MAX SIMON. Indianapolis Mayor GREG BALLARD in a statement said, "The city of Indianapolis today lost a true partner and friend with the death of Mel Simon." Mel and Herb Simon formed Melvin Simon & Associates in '60, which developed into Simon Property Group. The company has "interests in 320 retail properties in the U.S." Simon's funeral will be held at 11:00am ET Friday with a private ceremony to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center at St. Vincent Hospital (IBJ.com, 9/16). Simon also was a Hollywood movie producer in the '70s and '80s, when he "scored a big hit with the raunchy teen comedy 'Porky's.'" The Simons bought the Pacers when it "looked as if the NBA team would be moved" (WIBC.com, 9/16). ESPN Radio 1070 Indianapolis' DAN DAKICH: "It's hard to put your arms around the impact Mel Simon had" (WFNI-AM, 9/16). Former Pacers G REGGIE MILLER said, "My heart is very heavy today, Mel Simon was a great owner but more importantly a loving and giving friend" (INDYSTAR.com, 9/16).