Obituary of Prabir Kumar DHAR
Prabir Kumar Dhar, beloved husband of Anjana Dhar of Calgary, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
Prabir is survived by his loving wife Anjana; son Parag; daughter Sanghamitra and son-in-law Richard; and grand-daughter Anika (Didibhai).
Anyone who knew Prab experienced his extremely kind and generous heart. Bhahlobasha is the Bengali word for love and he gave of it freely. He had a special way of making you feel like you mattered and were cared for. He found a way to genuinely connect with those around him in any situation; at work, at parties, on the plane, in the train and in the hospital. He listened closely to what others had to say and loved to discuss politics. Everyone had a favourite topic of discussion with him from unions to prime ministers. He had a beautiful smile that would light up any room and brighten any mood.
Prab attended college in Kolkata, India where he studied to be an engineer. He started his professional life in the service of the Indian Merchant Marine, sailing first from the Hooghly docking. He sailed around the world creating memories and stories that he would share with us all. His stories inspired the traveler in his two children. He was a wonderful story teller and kept all rapt with all his tales of sailing the seas.
In 1971, his path brought him to Canada where he started a new chapter of his life in Churchill Falls, Labrador. He would tell us of the bitterly cold winters and all the new experiences he faced. In spite of the climate and the wilderness, he enjoyed his time in Churchill Falls as he made lifelong friends. Prab knew everyone’s name in the office. It was a simpler time when getting a driver’s license and a citizenship meant walking into an office and signing a form. After his job was completed in Churchill Falls, he chose to move to Toronto, a big, bustling city that reminded him of Kolkata. He worked as an engineer for various companies. He set up his bachelor suite with all the amenities one could want. Every summer he hosted his sister, Archana and her two daughters (Rita and Sudeshna) from Montreal. Prab ensured they had fond memories of those visits.
It was 5 years later that he married his beloved Sona. He loved her so much. Three years after the joyful birth of their daughter, Sanghamitra, a new job opportunity moved them to Saskatoon. They lived there for a year, where they were blessed with the birth of their son Parag. After that year, new opportunities arose in Calgary, so a final move was made to Alberta. Prab worked as a Project Manager on various power plants, including Sheerness. He enjoyed the challenges of being an engineer and a project manager. He especially reveled in being on site.
In 2009, he had a serious heart attack that sent him to the ICU at the Foothills hospital in Calgary. He recovered from that heart attack and due to his strong will and his stubborn nature and he was able to enjoy another 9 years with his family. He was able to participate in his daughter’s wedding, see his son find fulfillment in his job and, most importantly spend a year with his beloved granddaughter, Didibhai.
Funeral Services will be held at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4th Street N.W., (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Sunday, July 01, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the funeral home.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Seniors Resource Society, 3639 26 St NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 5E1, https://www.calgaryseniors.org/.