Obituary of Ashok PATEL

PATEL – Ashok August 8, 1941 – Manej, Gujarat, India January 29, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta Ashok Patel, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the age of 75 years. Ashok is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Bhagvati (nee Amin), daughters, Anixa, Bella (Pritash) and son, Anant. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Nikhil and Suneet; sister, Vasanti Shah; brother-in-law Nitin Shah; niece, Minita (Shashi) Shah-Mara and nephew, Rishi (Ameet) Shah; along with his many cousins and in laws. He was predeceased by his mother, Sushila Patel in 2003; father, Manibhai Patel in 1995; and younger brother, Ghanshyam Patel in 1973. Ashok’s family immigrated to East Africa in 1949 for a business opportunity. He returned to India for a few years to attend University in Indore. Upon completion, Ashok returned to Uganda to work in the administration of sugar and tea plantations. Ashok married Bhagvati on June 8, 1969, in Kampala, Uganda. This is where their eldest daughter Anixa was born on January 1971. During the exodus of Ugandan Asians, Ashok and his young family fled to London, England in October 1972 where their daughter Bella arrived within days of landing. In 1973, they moved to Calgary, settling well and proudly making their home as Canadian Citizens. It was here that in 1981, they welcomed their son Anant to their family. Ashok had a career in public service which included time with Canada Post and lastly with the City of Calgary's finance department. He not only enjoyed his work but also the respect and camaraderie of his colleagues. Ashok loved being a father and instilled in his children both a great curiousity of the world at large while ensuring that a pragmatic outlook was foundational for them. He was an avid reader of the newspaper especially the Calgary Herald. Ashok's deep appreciation of the nature brought him much joy in his younger years with many weekends and vacations spent with his family in the nearby Rocky Mountains and to the west coast. His retirement brought a quietness to his everyday and he embraced simple pleasures. The family would like to thank the Foothills Hospital staff in units 61 and 32, along with the hospital's palliative care team. They also acknowledge that in his final days, he was wonderfully cared for by the kind and compassionate staff at Agape Hospice in Calgary. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in Ashok's memory to www.agapehospice.ca. Private funeral services and cremation were held in Calgary earlier this week.