Mohinder Singh Dulai

Mohinder Dulai, our Papa, was a father figure in our life. He placed his hand on our heads and always blessed us and prayed for us. Papa gave us a life we hadn’t imagined. We are who we are because of our Papa and Bebe. They have raised us, fed us, changed us, helped us up when we fell, wiped our tears when we were sad, and cheered us on in our happiness. Papa I (Tazmeen) am very grateful that I spent 25 years of my life with you. You always protected me, loved me and created an eternal bond with me. Your smile kept me smiling, your laughter made my day. You were part of my wedding- in fact you were the one who got me married and it’s because of you I am living this happy, privileged life. Papa, you have taught us what unconditional love truly is. Even in your last days when you were bed ridden, unable to see or eat very much, you used to ask me (Tazmeen), how my day at work was, and if I had eaten anything. It warmed my heart when you asked me when I would come to visit you. You used to say “Tina kido auna?” and I used to come running to see you. It brings tears to my eyes writing this- who will I come to see every week in Merritt? Who will place my hand on my head and bless me? Who will I call at 9:30pm to talk to? Who will ask if I have eaten anything yet? Then I try to tell my heart that you are at peace because you must have your vision now and you have reunited with our Bebe and your other children in heaven. In my heart I also know that your blessings will always be with us and you will watch over us.

Papa, you were more of a dad to me (Amrit) than my grandpa. I am so lucky I spent 18 years with you. I wish we had more time but it seems God has a different plan in mind. You did so much for us that no one could ever do. As I grow, I remember the times you took me to school, played cards with me, taught me folk music and tolki (drums), sat outside with us, and told me amazing life stories from your life. Papa you used to call me “Kishora”. I was always by your side and you found peace holding my hand and sitting with me. If I didn’t come to you house for half hour, you used to say “Kishora kithe a?” Our bond is so strong and special that some people even believe I must have been a reincarnation of one of your sons, brought back to take care of you. I used to sit at your bedside comforting you and stroking your head as you fell asleep. I will never forget those hands that raised me to who I am today. I will miss you every day, every moment, every minute and every second of my life. Love you so much Papa hope u are enjoying time with all your family up there.

Our Papa was a very self less man. He has helped many family and relatives in times of need. We used to jokingly call Papa “the bank” as he was always lending people money. Papa always used to joke and laugh- he had a very unique laughter that filled the room. We have never heard Papa speak in an angry tone- he was always pleasant and loving to talk to and full of wisdom- you could not fool our Papa. He was the smartest and strongest soul we knew. When we say strong, we really mean it- he was a fighter- his age 105- explains that in itself.

Amrit and I (Tazmeen) will carry on your legacy Papa. The values you taught us, the stories and jokes you told, our Punjabi language, your strength…we will carry this on. You will continue to live on through our hearts. Birth is not the beginning and death is not the end….souls are eternal…Love never dies.

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Nanak Naam Charh di Kala Tare Bhane sarbat Kabhalu. Waheguru ji kai

Our story with our Nana Ji – or we liked to call him Papa started in 1991. Or that’s what most would believe. For myself and Suke our story with him began when we were but 1 and 2 – and with our mom we would travel back to India to visit everyone. We would stay for several month and this would be an annual ritual for several years. This is also when Papa must have told us that they would all be coming by plane to come live with us. When Suke and I would come back to Merritt -we seriously thought that every plane we saw in the sky had our Bebe and Papa in them. We would get so excited – and start screaming their names in excitement and go running home to see if they had arrived. To think back to those time’s and the pure joy that we felt as children believing that our grandparents had finally arrived speaks volumes of the deep love we already had for our Papa and Bebe.

It was in 1991 that my mom and dad were finally able to bring my Papa, Bebe and my Masi to Canada. It was such an exciting time and we all felt blessed. My Papa was in 70’s at this time -and was starting another chapter in his life. He would live another 29 years in this new country.

Suke and I graduated in the spring of 91 -and soon moved away from Merritt. Jas was blessed to spend the most time with Papa and during the next 4 years she developed a beautiful bond with Papa. She has so many loving memories of both Bebe and Papa. Jas used to go to Papa’s house after school and he decided to teach her to play poker and don’t worry – they only played with pennies. Papa loved to sneak and steal Jas’s pennies and this became a daily ritual. I believe they both would try to cheat and steel the others pennies. Bebe would try to keep them on the straight and narrow – but would never be successful.

Another funny memory Jas has is when my parents had gone to Surrey to visit Suke and me. Jas thought she heard noises in the house. She called Bebe and Papa – and the two of them came running from their house with sticks in their hands. Yep – our 70 something grandparents were Jas’s body guards. Of course it was Jas’s crazy imagination, yet, this moment really reminds you how much our grandparents would drop everything to protect us. These are the moments that we should really hold onto to remind us how important our families are.

Because of my Papa and my Bebe many of us are here today. A day after my papa passed away we had another amazing gift come into our family. My Papa’s son, my Mama’s - beautiful daughter Maninder – who we call Minday had her second beautiful child. Baby Aria came into the world, reminding us how our Papa lives on in all of us. How blessed are we that due to my Papa and my Beautiful Bebe – that his legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Its important that we make a conscious effort to continue their legacy. WE must tell their stories to our children – show them their pictures and continue telling their stories. That is the legacy that will continue to live on.

I’m a firm believer that we get to make our own stories – a lot of times there is a lot of obstacles and challenges that get thrown into our lives. Yet we choose how we see what is happening in our lives. We get to choose to be happy and we get to choose to love. My Papa didn’t choose to be blind, he lost many of his children before his soul left this earth. Yet, he laughed and he loved those around him and he fought to live as long as he did.

I also wanted to take this time to say thank you - I need to thank my Masi. Masi you took care of my Papa and you continue to take care of my mama. You have done more than anyone can expect anyone to do. You make it look easy and you never complain. Bebe, Papa and my Mama are so lucky to have such an amazing daughter and sister. Amrit and Tazmeen thank you. Amrit, you are one year older than my own daughter. Yet, you have embraced helping our Papa during last several years where he needed love and companionship. When teenagers would be hanging out with their friends, you were with Papa in his room spending time with him. Thank you for being so compassionate.

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Mohinder Singh DULAI

January 1, 1915- August 16, 2020

Mr. Mohinder Singh Dulai (Papa) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, in Merritt B.C. on August 16, 2020, aged 105 years old. Papa is lovingly remembered by his son Kuldip Singh Dulai (Sarbajit Kaur Dulai), daughters Simar Kaur Sandhu (Late Kehar Singh Sandhu), Bimaljit Kaur Dosanjh (Dave Singh Dosanjh), Surinder Kaur Randhawa (Buta Randhawa), Manjit Kaur Aulakh (Late Harcharn Singh Aulakh), and Daljit Kaur Randhawa (Paramjit Randhawa), and daughter-in-law Harbhjan Kaur Dulai. Papa will be sadly missed by all his grandchildren Dharaminder Singh Dulai (Paramjit Kaur Dulai), Gurjinder Kaur Sahota (Malkit Singh Sahota), Suke Singh Dosanjh, Rashpal Singh Sandhu (Soni Kaur Sandhu), Harjinder Kaur Kang (Jeeta Singh Kang), Rabinder Kaur Sangha (Daljit Singh Sangha), Michelle Dosanjh- Johal (Gurshan Singh Johal), Jaswinder Kaur Rai (Mukhan Singh Rai), Bindu Kaur Sal (Luckhy Singh Sal), Manjinder Kaur Benipal (Balvir Singh Benipal), Jaspal Singh Randhawa (Narinder Kaur Randhawa), Karn Singh Randhawa (Harminder Kaur Randhawa), Maninder Kaur Sundar (Darren Sundar), Bhupinder Kaur Deo (Alvin Deo), Satinder Kaur Dulai, Tazmeen Kaur Thind (Happy Thind), and Amritpal Singh Randhawa. Papa will be lovingly remembered by all his great-grandchildren Preet, Gurleen, Santu, Sukhi, Rajvir, Simran, Inder, Kiran, Simren, Jenykha, Rohnik, Sahej, Jahaun, Jemma, Avishaan, Sahvyn, Aikhem, Mahnik, Sahara, Angeleen, Aarav, Marcus and baby girl Arya. Papa will also be sadly missed by all his nieces, nephews as well as many friends and relatives.

Mohinder is predeceased by his wife Late Udham Kaur Dulai, sons Late Santok Singh Dulai, Late Kirpal Sing Dulai, Late Harbhjan Singh Dulai, Late Amarjit Singh Dulai (Late Sukhwant Kaur Dulai), two other sons, and grandson Late Jatinder Singh Sandhu.

Mohinder Singh Dulai was born on January 1st, 1915 in Parthaupra, Punjab, India to Jagat Singh and Santi Kaur Dulai. Here he remained for the first seventy-five years of his life diligently maintaining the farm with intense, manual labour. He cared for the many children and grand-children that resided with him through the years. In 1991, Mohinder immigrated to Canada with his wife Udham and daughter Daljit Randhawa to join his other daughter Bimaljit Dosanjh and family, and his son Kuldip Dulai in Merritt B.C. Later joined by his son Amarjit Dulai and family. Here, he left the intense labour of the wheat farm to occasionally work in berry farms, and to enjoy the leisure of retirement. Papa helped raise his grandchildren, Tazmeen and Amrit, he cherished them like his own children. Another grandchild of his, Satinder, recalls precious memories of Papa of how she always looked forward to visiting Papa with every chance she got, and he would give her mishiri (an Indian sweet); this was their thing.

Papa had a great sense of humour and wisdom. He loved making jokes, telling stories, playing tolki (drums), and visiting with all his family and grandchildren. Some of the fondest memories were made laughing, playing cards and listening to all his wonderful life stories. Papa deeply enjoyed the outdoors. He loved sitting outside in the sun. His playful laughter could be heard from afar with his enjoyment of passing his time in this manner with his children and grandchildren.

In Papa’s later years, his youngest grandchild Amrit, whom he lovingly called “Kishora,” could often be found at this side tenderly providing care and company and creating an eternal bond transcending time. Papa will continue to live on in the hearts of his many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Papa you will be deeply missed by everyone.

“A light from our household is gone, a voice we loved is stilled, a place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled. We have to mourn the loss of one, we did our best to save, beloved on earth, remembered still, as one being so brave. Twas hard to part with one so dear, we little thought the time was near. Farewell dear one, your life is part, our love for you till the end will last.”