GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Joseph Dickerman, who is 89 and a lifelong bachelor, said he thinks of his doorman, Ion (John) Simion, as a good friend-and sometimes even a son. Simion returns the sentiment in kind. The building worker checks in on Dickerman from time to time, an act not required of a doorman. And every now and then, he delivers a little comfort food. One day, Dickerman mentioned how much he missed his mother's homemade chicken soup. Simion started asking his wife to make chicken soup, which he now brings in a bottle to Dickerman. "He is a person of strong character, good morals and family responsibilities," Dickerman said. "He is certainly an outstanding, newly self-made American." Born in Romania, Simion immigrated to the United States with his wife and young son, Paul, in 1976 and has lived in Westchester for about 18 years. He took a job as an auto mechanic and then drove a taxi for eight years. Now with his work as a doorman, Simion said he is satisfied where he is and has no plans to change occupations. "I like it for 18 years and want to keep it for many more years," he said. "I like to be with the people and see them every morning." Not only does Simion like seeing people all the time, they like to see him, too. Dickerman, who has lived in the apartment building at 600 W. 246th St. in the Bronx since 1960, said that Simion has become increasingly important to him over the years. He said the tenants like their doorman so much, they refer to him as the "Waldorf-Astoria millionaire doorman."