In the late hours of Saturday February 27, 2021 Sardar Kewal Singh, beloved son of the late Thara Singh and Bhagwant Kaur exhaled his final breathes and made his deathless journey from this life. Our father was born in Lahore, Punjab, on March 2, 1939.
Our father leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Gobind Kaur, his 3 children, daughter, Tejinder Kaur and her husband Martin and # 1 grandson Jeevin, his son Parmvir Singh and his wife Harjot Kaur and cherished granddaughter, Sahaj Kaur and his youngest daughter Sunjeet Kaur, his Sun. The reality of who our father leaves behind is vast and extends to every and all members of our family. He was the youngest son of four and the second youngest of 8 children, (the late(s) Nichattar Singh, Darshan Singh, Sarban Singh, Amar Kaur, Tej Kaur, Kartar Kaur and survived by Gurdip Kaur). He made sure that all “his children”, be it, nieces, nephews, extended or close were all given his attention and love.
Faith above all things was a driving force and purpose in our father’s life; he truly was the embodiment of God’s faithful servant. He loved life – he was always explicit and clear that the greatest gift in life was life itself. Taking long walks and basking in the sunlight, big or small, our father took nothing for granted and cherished it all. He took complicated and complex situations and always was able to simplify everything; he had such a way with words.
As our hearts lay open and our eyes swell trying to grapple with the loss of this Giant, we continue to remind ourselves that he would not want anyone to shed a tear for him. We come and we go, we came from our Maker and so one day shall we meet this Maker. Simply put our father was a giant, and when giants fall the earth shakes. That is what we are feeling, forever grateful to call him ours in his lifetime, but shaken.
The weight of his presence in all our lives is immeasurable. Kewal was an open valley of knowledge, he loved to learn, he always had a library card on him, he was constantly reading or writing and the joy, curiosity and excitement he felt in learning new things or a new skill was so inspiring to us all.
It needs to be said that what our father gave to the community was nothing short of tireless devotion. There are countless awards and medals and recognition he received over the years from community organizations, political parties and most notably the Governor General of Canada Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada for significant contribution to compatriots, community and Canada. He also received the Queens Commemorative Medal in Honor for Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 for his contributions to community, city and country.
The gifts our father bestowed on his family and his community should give us a sense of not only what his purpose was but leaves us with direction as we move forward. As this news of his passing washes over us, we are in awe of just how far and wide his light shined – at home and across oceans there are individuals and communities mourning this loss and sharing stories of just how significant our father was to them. He was a not only a leader and healer but also an activist who advocated tirelessly his entire life for his beliefs, justice and equality.
“Whoever has come, shall depart, all shall have their turn. He who owns our soul, and our very breath of life – Why should we forget that Lord and Master from our minds?” – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Pg. 474
Private Family Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home.
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