Bhagwant Bali

Bhagwant was predeceased by his mother Sardarni Gobind Kaur, father Sardar Gajinder Singh Bali and brother Sardar Surinder Singh Bali.

Bhagwant is survived by Tej, his loving wife of 48 years, children Raminder (Harmeet), Hermeet (Dalmeet), grandchildren Harshvir, Jaivir, Snimar, Symrath and Sakashi, and sisters Padam (Kulwant Singh), Updesh (Gurmuk Singh), Tejpal (Harbhajan Singh), Iqbal (Surjit Singh), Gurjit (Kulbir I Singh), and his brother’s family (Preetinderjit Kaur, Param and Gagan).

Bhagwant was born in Baramulla, Kashmir, India. He completed his high school from Tyndale Bisco School, Srinagar in 1950 and his BA from Kashmir University (Amar Singh College) in 1954. In 1955 he travelled to Manchester, England to study architecture and graduated from University of Manchester in 1960. He received his ARIBA (Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects) in 1962.

He moved to India in 1962 and worked in New Delhi for various public and private architect firms from 1963 to 1966. In 1966 he joined the Government of J&K as an Assistant Architect and retired in 1993 as Senior Architect of Kashmir province.

Bhagwant was actively involved in the Baramulla community and volunteered to design gurdwaras, mosques, temples, church and educational institutions. He was particularly proud of being from Baramulla and always thought that it was the best place to live on this earth due to its mild weather, cool breeze in the summers, gorgeous mountainous scenery, and the secular people who formed the social fabric of the community.

Bhagwant loved his five grandchildren and spent many cherished times with them. It was the love of his grandchildren that made him travel to Canada every year since 2001.

The family would like to express their thanks to numerous friends for their assistance and messages of sympathy over the last few days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bhagwant’s honour to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200-6 Donald St. R3L 0K6.

A celebration of Bhagwant’s life will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 2pm at Thomson at the Park, 1291 McGillivary Blvd, Winnipeg, Canada. The religious ceremony will be held from 4pm to 6pm at the Winnipeg South Sikh Center located on 500 Dovercourt Dr, Winnipeg, MB, R3Y 1G4.