Dorab Ruttonji Wadia

Dorab passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the Millrise Care Centre, at the age of 85 years. He was born in Mumbai, India, on November 13, 1925. After obtaining a degree in Chemistry at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai in 1947, he relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he took an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in Mines and Metals Engineering. He started a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, but decided that ten years of university was enough. He had several industry jobs, including a stint at the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and eventually made his way to Fort Saskatchewan, AB, in 1957 with Sherritt-Gordon. He met Agnes in May of 1958 in Edmonton, marrying her on December 20 of that same year. Having taught for a year at Ryerson in the early nineteen-fifties, he felt a strong calling to teach. In September 1962, he joined the faculty at SAIT in Calgary, enjoying a very rewarding 25-year career in the Aeromechanical Department. After his retirement, he tutored there for another 17 years, finally hanging up his slide rule in 2004 at the age of 79. Dorab was active with various groups and organizations, notably the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), the American Society of Metals (ASM), APEGGA, and ASET. He was an adoring husband, a devoted father, a faithful friend and a respected teacher. Bridge was his social activity of choice, and when not playing with one of several groups, he could be found reading a book, magazine or newspaper, doing a crossword puzzle, listening to one of his great many classical records, or visiting with a friend. For many years, he held season’s tickets to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Opera. He gave generously of his time and resources to many worthy endeavors, including the CPO’s Benny the Bookworm, Mozart on the Mountain, The Calgary Public Library, and public television and radio. At the age of 80, he learned to use a computer, and spent many happy hours in the library emailing friends and relatives, and conducting Google searches on anything that struck him as interesting or puzzling. He never stopped learning. In 1996, his beloved Agnes passed away, leaving a hole in his heart from which he never really recovered. His children were a great source of comfort to him, particularly in his later years: Juliana (William) Lester, Jim Wadia (Sharon, Stephanie and Katrina Trottier), and Jasmin Wadia. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his parents and two brothers. Dorab will long be remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his extraordinary memory, and his commitment to lifelong learning. A Memorial Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. If desired, memorial donations may be made directly to The Calgary Public Library Foundation, 616 Macleod Trail S.E. Calgary, AB T2G 2M2. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial