SURREY: Many of you knew him personally but even those who did not know him, remember his two decades of tireless support for his student JassiSidhu. James ‘Jim’ Longridge – a teacher and principal passed away on November 29, 2021 at the Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge.
Pitt Meadows Secondary principalLongridge, touched many lives when he was alive. He had a special place in the heart of South Asian community as he worked tirelessly for accountability and demanded action on Jassi’s murder in India, the Canadian girl who went against the wishes of her family to marry a person from Punjab. She was murdered overseas.
India Mahila Association, a not for profit organization of South Vancouver BC, paid him a special tribute and a standing ovation. “We did not know Mr. Longridge, but we knew of him. We observed a moment of silence for Jim Longridge.”
“MrLongridge’s family deserves to know that his contributions, especially in his post retirement years, went well beyond the call of duty. His actions didn’t go unnoticed.Mr Longridge was a man of Principles. Unfortunately, after 20 years to fight for his student’s morality, he didn’t have the opportunity to see the outcome unfold.It is our responsibility to continue to echo their voices. May Justice finally prevail. In solidarity we stand,” said Sital Dhillon of IMA.
The daughter of wealthy blueberry farmers, Jassi met her husband, Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu (a.k.a. Mithu) during a trip to Punjab. Jassi got married to Mitthuwhich her family disapproved of. She with her husband were attacked while riding a scooter near Sangrur. Mithu barely escaped with his life, but Jassi was killed.
Jassi’s mother, Malkit Kaur Sidhu, and uncle Surjit Singh Badesha, were accused of orchestrating her murder and the attempted murder of her new husband. But they were only extradited to India in January 2019 to face charges of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with her death.
Longridge in one of his interviews had said that the case really hit home for him when he was watching the news shortly after Jassi’s death.
“Jassie was found murdered in Punjab, India, with her throat slit, and her husband Mithu, severely beaten. Phone records showed 266 calls were made between Jassie’s BC home, and the men convicted in India. Horrified, Mr. Longridge, for 2 decades, ‘tirelessly campaigned for accountability and demanded action on Jassie’s murder overseas,” Dhillon said.
MrLongridge, continuously questioned police and politicians of what role the family played. In Jassie’shonour, he also established a scholarship called Justice Scholarship. ‘This would lead to future students striving for justice in her name’ Longridge had said.
In Obituary published in Vancouver Sun, Longridge is remembered as “a teacher and principal to hundreds, a mentor and tutor to many, and a friend to all.”
Born in Exeter, England to David and Frances Longridge, he emigrated to Victoria with his family. “James loved sports during his school and university years and excelled at cricket and field hockey. He also became devoted to golf, a lifelong passion. He enjoyed becoming “The Commissioner” for the infamous Desert Masters golf group.”
“He will be remembered fondly by many, many friends. James was the first to lend a hand to anyone who needed anything. He loved his family and his friends, and genuinely cared about others. His wit, curiosity and sense of humour will be greatly missed by all,” the Obituary read.
