It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Dr. Surendra (Sam) Purshotam Ruparelia. He passed away in the loving arms of his daughter at the Ottawa General Hospital on May 12, 2023.
He leaves behind hearts that are broken but fiercely proud of the generous and courageous man he was and the many lives he touched and improved in his 83 years on this earth. His son, Rupel (Marcy), and daughter, Rakhi, miss him dearly, but marvel at his tenacity in fighting multiple medical battles until the very end. Fortunately, his grandchildren, Maya, Jaden (Rupel), and Zianna (Rakhi), have inherited his strength of character. Indeed, Zianna with whom her “Nana” lived for the past two years in Ottawa, has already committed to following his career path (medical specialty to be determined), to Nana’s utter delight. He always wanted another doctor in the family!
Also mourning this extraordinary loss is his former wife, Hira Ruparelia, who was at his bedside at the end, and Surendra’s three surviving brothers and three surviving sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, Purshotam Kanji and Shanta Ruparelia, as well as many brothers and sisters in Canada and England who also left us too soon.
One of the greatest loves of Surendra’s life was his work, although he never considered medicine “work”. Dr. Ruparelia adored and cared for his patients like they were friends and family, and he practiced with an old-school work ethic rarely found in family medicine anymore. He also contributed to his community through his work at the (then) Oshawa General Hospital, including as President of the Medical Staff Association from 1985-1986 and through his many years as a member of the Rotary Club. He retired with a heavy heart, but no regrets, in 2014 after almost 40 years of practice in Oshawa.
Surendra’s sense of adventure guided him throughout life, giving him the courage to leave his family in Uganda, where he was born in 1939, to pursue studies in England in 1958. Since he was a little boy, he knew he wanted to be a doctor. His dreams came true when he graduated from the University of Sheffield Medical School in 1966. Soon after, he married a beautiful woman named Hira Popat from Tanzania, and the two lived in England while they supported Surendra’s family members as they immigrated to the UK.
When the travel bug bit Surendra again, he and Hira moved to Zambia for their next adventure, where they welcomed their son Rupel into the world. In 1972, Surendra moved his family to Canada on a whim when a recruiter in England made a compelling case for practicing medicine here. Rakhi made her appearance in the slightly less exotic locale of Sudbury before the family moved to Oshawa.
Surendra passed on his love of travel to his children, and especially Rakhi, with whom he shared many worldly adventures. Once while Rakhi was travelling in Uganda, she phoned him in England and suggested he join her for the last part of her trip. Without a pause, he agreed and even stopped over in Dubai on the way!
Surendra’s life was one of service, selflessness, leadership, and courage. He made difficult choices and great personal sacrifices to make life easier for the rest of his family. His memory was selective: he remembered everything that others did for him, but somehow never retained the kindnesses he had done for others. He treated everyone with respect, regardless of their position in life.
He was endearingly stubborn and unwaveringly proud of his children and grandchildren. He cherished time with the youngest generation of his family and adored watching Maya play softball and Jaden play hockey. He had an innate curiosity and love of learning that was contagious. During the pandemic, one of his household’s favourite activities was to open giant boxes of books Rakhi ordered online and to investigate and distribute the literary loot. Surendra was a voracious reader, and even in the hospital, was rereading his favourite book, The Count of Monte Cristo.
Surendra was a true gentleman and scholar.
Visitation will be held at the Oshawa Funeral Home, 847 King Street West on Tuesday May 23rd from 4 – 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday May 24th at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Lakeridge Health Foundation, or any medical charity would be appreciated.
The family would like to give those in attendance the opportunity to share a favorite memory about Dr. Ruparelia "Sam" at the conclusion of the service.
For those not able to attend the service you are welcome to view the service through the Livestream link:
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