Community leader, volunteer and early pioneer Gian Singh Sandhu passed away last week in Vancouver leaving the community with a vast loss. Born in the village of Rurka Kallan in District Jullunder on November 2, 1928 he immigrated to Canada in 1959.
Gian Singh became involved with volunteering his time at the local Gurdwaras from a young age in India and continued this practice upon his arrival in Canada. The Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver became a favorite place of prayer and community service where he spent many years doing seva and held various executive positions on several occasions from 1970 to 1996. Even when not in executive positions he remained hard at work thus helping the community to raise funds for the purchase of Guru Amar Das Niwas (property across the Ross Gurdwara), Gurdwara land purchases in Richmond on No. 6 Road and also on Cambie Street. He also held various executive positions in several community organizations and was very involved with community issues. He devoted a great deal of his life to the Sikh religion and its promotion while working and raising a family. He spoke English, Punjabi and Urdo. A humble soft spoken servant accomplished his mission in life and will be missed by all.
Community Service
KDS VANCOUVER (Ross Gurdwara)–Asst. Secretary, Asst. Treasurer, Vice President
FIVE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME – one of the founding members
SIKH SEWAK SOCIETY – founding member, – General Secretary and President.
SHIROMANI AKALI DAL (Canada) Founding member, General Secretary and President.
WSO (World Sikh Organization) – Canadian Western regional President.
HARDARSHAN MEMORIAL TRUST – volunteer.
INTERNATIONAL PUNJABI AJMI SOCIETY – Director.
* Published two books written by Sardar Saroop Singh Aulak
Khalsa Darbar Gurdwara (Vancouver) – Founding member.
Funeral and final prayer:
Saturday, July 25, 2:00 pm at Riverside Funeral Home – 7410 Hopcot Road, Delta.
Saij Patt Bhog 4:00 pm at Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver (Ross Gurdwara)
For more information please contanct: Jasbir S. Sandhu 778-235-6325, Bhovinder (Bob) S. Sandhu 604-327-7535, Amar S. Sandhu 604-537-6296 and Narinder S. Sandhu 604-783-8643
