Jarnail Singh SIDHU

Jarnail Singh Sidhu

June 17, 1960- December 3, 2016

(56 years old)

"Oudak samund salal kee saakhiaa nadee 

tarang samaaveh-gae||” (SGGS 1103-15)

“Like droplets of water in an ocean wave and like the ripples of a stream,

I am immersed in the Lord.”

~ Bhagat Kabir

Jarnail will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 33 years, Jasvir; his children, Sandy, Paul (and daughter-in-law Danielle) and Rita (and her fiancé Kamal); his granddaughter, Simran; his brothers Bhagwant Singh, Najar Singh, and Saudagar Singh; his sister, Gurnam Kaur, and by his many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who loved him deeply. He is joining his beloved father Tara Singh, mother Surjit Kaur and brother Chamkaur Singh.

Jarnail was born on June 17, 1960 in Chakkar (Punjab), India. In 1975, as a young teenager, he immigrated to Canada and settled in Fort Nelson, BC. After marrying Jasvir (in 1983), he welcomed Sandy and Paul into the world. Jarnail moved to Nanaimo, BC where his youngest daughter, Rita, was born. 

It was no coincidence that Vancouver Island became his home. He was a grateful man who lived a simple life. Seeing his family secure and happy with a view of the ocean was all he ever needed. He went above and beyond to provide for and protect his family. His family meant the most to him and he gave his children the biggest gifts and lessons he could have. He taught them to respect everyone regardless of who they were, to treat everyone as equals, to never looked down on anyone and to remain humble.

There is no question that Jarnail had found his passion and true calling in life. When it came to moving parts and machinery, his mind simply understood it. Jarnail was a mechanical and engineering marvel. It didn’t stop there; his knowledge extended to building stunning homes. There was quality and integrity in everything he built and worked on. As his son would say, “Nothing is ever half-ass with Dad. He always puts in the work.” As a millwright at Coastland Wood Industries, his coworkers often commented that it’d take a team to understand what Jarnail would get in a second. Growing up, his children often walked out into their home garage, and saw a family friend’s vehicle Jarnail would be fixing out of pure enjoyment. 

Jarnail passed away in the early morning of Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at the age of 56. He bravely faced cancer for 1 year and four months with courage, resilience, and spirit. Those who saw him remarked on his strength and how he always had a smile on his face. His courage, love, and legacy will forever be remembered. All who had the good fortune to know him will miss a truly generous and loving man, with incredible principal and moral integrity.

The family would like to give special thanks to the unprecedented efforts of his oncologists, Dr. Kennecke and Dr. Gill, at the Vancouver Cancer Agency. We would like to thank all the nurses at the NRGH Palliative Care Unit and 5th floor. Thank you to Dr. Wells, Dr. Kerridge, Dr. Love, and Dr. King, and Dr. McIver in Nanaimo who tended to Jarnail with utmost care. Thank you to all friends and family who loved, cared, supported and prayed for him.

Jarnail, we love you so much. You were, and will remain to be, a strong pillar of our family. We will miss your laugh and your unconditional love.