Obituary of Jhanda Singh Boparai

Sardar Jhanda Singh Boparai, beloved husband of Pritpal Kaur Boparai (nee Chahal) of Calgary, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the age of 87 years.

Jhanda was born in Katani Kalan, Ludhiana, Punjab India on July 26, 1933 to Dilip Singh Boparai and Gulab Kaur (nee Grewal).

Jhanda accomplished much through his life spanning 9 decades and two continents. He spent the first half of his life in Punjab, India where he joined Punjab Police in 1951 and married his beloved wife Pritpal Kaur in 1955. Together they immigrated to Calgary, Alberta in 1989 due to political unrest.

In his younger years he was a star soccer player and was recruited by a high school to play for them. After high school, he served in Punjab Police for almost 40 years, taking early retirement as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). He was proud of maintaining law and order in the various cities and towns he was stationed in. In particular, he often shared stories about how he had solved every murder case he was assigned and caught robbers and drug traffickers regularly, while putting his own life at risk.  When in Calgary, he had one motto “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, and so adjusted quickly to his new life. He began working as a security guard in Deer Valley Mall which he took very seriously. There he earned much respect for employing his old-fashioned policing tactics to keep troublemakers out of the mall. Jhanda went above and beyond to help others including his family, friends, and colleagues as well as anyone he crossed paths with.

Family was very important to Jhanda. He was very proud of his six daughters for building successful lives in different parts of the world. Jhanda never missed an opportunity to brag about his bright grand-kids who are doctors, pharmacists, public servants, computer scientists, and small-business owners.

Jhanda’s most memorable vacation was stopping at a beach house in Oregon during a summer road trip. In the last year and a half, he vacationed one last time in Toronto for his 86th birthday celebrations with family and to attend his grandsons’ weddings. During that trip he shared that he felt very blessed that god had given him such a big family and that his heart was full of happiness because all his kids are well-settled. He was also able to fulfill his last bucket list item to go back to his home in India and visit the Golden Temple.

He enjoyed following politics, watching sports with his grandkids, gardening, food and spirits, spending time with family and friends, and the finer things in life (clothes, watches, perfumes).

Jhanda’s favourite sayings were “Chardi Kala” (important expression used in Sikhism for a mind frame - ever optimistic attitude) and “Bago Baag” (full of joy) when asked how he was doing.

He will be most remembered for his “taur”, a handsome, warm, positive, and genuine demeanour and personality, and for sharing many interesting stories of his adventurous life. He also had a soft heart and was much loved by his grandchildren who call him Teddy Bear. He left his family and friends with many loving memories.

Besides his loving wife, Jhanda is survived by his 6 daughters and 4 sons-in-law- Ravinder K. Gill (Mohali, India), Amanvir K. Atwal m. Harjit S. Atwal (Patiala, India), Charanjit K. Gill m. Jaswinder S. Gill (Courtice, Canada), Gaganjit Uppal m. Rajinderpal S. Uppal (Brampton, Canada), Ishtpreet Brar (Ottawa, Canada), and Ishkmandeep Boparai m. Harjinder S. Sarwara (Calgary, Canada); 12 grandchildren, Shabroop Bhatthal m. Sharanjit S. Bhatthal (Chicago, USA), Harsimranjit S. Gill m. Sanjeet Gill (Brampton, Canada), Roopan K. Gill (Toronto, Canada), Jasmyn Gill m. Andrew Richard Hastings (Toronto, Canada), Jayvir S. Atwal m. Sapandeep Atwal (Brampton, Canada), Pamela Uppal  (Brampton, Canada), Chetan Manvir S. Uppal m. Rohini Uppal (Burlington, Canada), Nishaan Brar m. Anastasia Pimenova (Oakville, Canada), Narbhey Atwal (Brampton, Canada), Jonathan Brar (Ottawa, Canada), Arvin Boparai-Sarwara (Calgary, Canada), and Jesvin Sarwara (Calgary, Canada); and 6 great-grandchildren, Greshaan S. Bhatthal and Ivraj S. Bhatthal (Chicago, USA), Ambreen Gill and Ambarpratap Gill (Brampton, Canada), and Asees K. Atwal and Seyvah K. Atwal (Brampton, Canada).

Jhanda is also survived by his 2 sisters and 1 brother-in-law, Harkesh Kaur m. Arjan Singh (Derabassi, Punjab) and Mohan Kaur (Mohali, Punjab) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in Canada, United States, and India.

Jhanda was predeceased by his son Kuku S. Boparai; sons-in-law Swaranjit S. Gill and Yarinder Brar; his brother and sister-in-law Teja Singh Boparai m. Nachattar Kaur; and 3 sisters and 2 brother-in-laws; Raghvir Kaur m. Joginder Mann, Mohinder Kaur m. Gurdial Randhawa, and Harbans Kaur.

Visitation will be held at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4^th Street NW, (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4^th Street NW, (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m  

A Sehaj Path (Prayer) is underway at the Sikh Society of Calgary Gurudwara, 739 – 81st Street, SW Calgary. Family and Friends are encouraged to go to the Gurudwara to Matha Tek (Pray) at a time convenient for them following the Alberta Health guidelines.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory to Alberta Cancer Foundation in Care of Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

By mail: 710-10123 99 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T5J3H1

By phone: 1-866-412-4222

Online: albertacancer.ca/in-memory

Please indicate the donation is in memory of Jhanda S. Boparai who passed away on January 9, 2021.

Thank you.