December 15, 1939 - Dhinsay, Punjab, India
June 8, 2024 - Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
It is with profound sadness, the family of Gurmej Dhinsa announces his passing on June 8, 2024. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Mrs. Harbhajan Dhinsa, two daughters, Amarjit (Darshan), Surjit, son Balvinder (Paramjit), God-daughter Fozia (Tahir) and their families.
He leaves behind his most precious joys, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They always brought a smile to his face and laughter into his life. He is loved and missed by each and every one of them: Sunny (Rani), Deepi (Aman), Jessie (Ravi), Jasmeen (Gautam), Munpreet (Jeff), Saleena, Navleen, Rhea, Sahil, Nikhail, Aria, Sania, Leo, Aaron and Felix. Gurmej strongly believed in the philosophy of strength, power of family, friends, and community. One of his most memorable days was when he realized how blessed he was to see his eldest great grand child Saleena studying Architecture at Univeristy.
Gurmej was the third child in a family of five children. He was the eldest of three brothers and two sisters. From childhood, he distinguished himself by being devoted to family values taught him by his father. As a teenager, he took it upon himself to help his father. In 1962, his youngest brother Kehar (Rajinder) completed his paperwork to immigrate to England, and then Canada In 1973.
The two brothers worked together to continue their father's legacy by providing his siblings, nephews, and nieces an opportunity to immigrate to England, Canada and then the USA.
Gurmej greatly valued education and knowledge. He began his education in India. He continued pusuing professional and personal goals by taking work-related courses. In particular, he attended continuing education at Conestoga College in Kitchener and Bow Valley College in Calgary. He then continued his passion for learning by voraciously reading the newspaper and later online content. He learned and researched about health, business, real estate, cars and absorbed content about farming and gardening. Unequivocally, every family member, friend, business contact and stranger shared stories of how Gurmej thoughtfully provided information via newspaper clippings or video links about their interests. He gave the best advice that often passed the test of time. His children are amazed by the number of people who shared stories of the advice he gave. Gurmej loved to work out. For the last 25 years, Gurmej called Big Bear Gym and then the Genesis Center in Airdrie his second home. It was not uncommon for members from the Genesis Center to mention how Gurmej inspired them. His inspiration was even more elevated due to his own need for a walking cane.
As a young family man Gurmej worked in a few industries to support his family. In England he worked on the railway and as a bus conductor. In Canada he worked as a Supervisor for Frito Lays Chips in Ontario and then moved to Alberta, where he worked for Old Dutch Chips. In 1995, he opened businesses in Towerlane Mall in Airdrie, Alberta. At that time Airdrie was a town of 10,000 people. He opened two fast food restaurants in the mall and a store known as Rattan Value Bazzar. The store provided residents everything from Pokemon cards to cables to stationary to brass furniture and blankets. Gurmej listened to his customers and based his store on their needs and wants. He will always be known for contribtuing and taking care of the families of Airdrie, Alberta when it was only a little known town.
Gurmej and his wife, Harbhajan, moved across the sea from India to England to Canada together. While they endured many hardships, their relationship remained steady, as did the home they built based on traditional and non-traditional values. They worked in business together, side by side. Gurmej's children remember their father as wise, steadfast and action-orientated. His catch phrase was "Actions speak louder than words" in life; everyone knew where they stood with him.
Funeral Ceremonies took place on Friday June 14, 2024 at Country Hills Crematorium (11995-16th Street, NE, Calgary) at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers please support Humanity Auxilum, a charity created by God-daughter, Dr. Fozia Alvi, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in Humanitarianism. www.humanityauxilium.com. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed online at www.countryhillscrematorium.ca.
