It is always with great sadness when we loose members of our District 7070 Rotary family. Everyone in District 7070 wants to expresses their deepest sympathies to our extended Rotary family. Please send your notices to Newsletter Editor Dave Andrews at dave.f.andrews99@gmail.com .....
DON SIRKO - ROTARY CLUB OF PARKDALE HIGHPARK HUMBER
Don Sirko unexpectedly passed on April 24th, 2023. He was an active community member, was part of several organizations and boards throughout the years, enjoyed golfing with his friends, skiing with his kids, biking along the lake in the summer with Laryssa and many thought he should have been a contractor with his extensive home improvement skills. Don Sirko, was a member of the Rotary Club of Parkdale High Park Humber. Don was one of the longest standing members of the Parkdale-High Park-Humber club, beginning his membership in 1993, and having been President of our club 3 different times. He was a very active member , volunteering his time at the Fort York Food Bank and Delta Bingo. He was a Board Member with the Ukrainian Care Centre and previously was on the committee of Help Us Help The Children. He was a huge supporter of GoCamp having volunteered in Ukraine and continued to participate remotely numerous times and actively and successfully recruited many with his stories.Don had perfect attendance throughout his membership of 30 years! Even when he was away he would find meetings to attend or do makeups upon his return by visiting other clubs. Don is is survived by his wife Irene, his daughter, Larissa, and his son, Alex.
GRANT SOUTHWELL - ROTARY CLUB OF TRENTON
On May 17, 2023, in his 80th year, Grant peacefully passed away with his family by his side after his yearlong battle with cancer. Beloved husband and best friend of B.Diane Southwell (Dec 2017) for 50 years. Loving father of Andrew (Holly) Southwell, Shannon Southwell, and Meghan (Adam) Groves. Proud grandfather of Meredith, Evan, Madeline, Aaron, Marshall and Hunter. Grant will be greatly missed by his siblings Dale (Carole) Southwell, Mary (Brian) O'Neil, his sister-in-law Jean Wickett, along with many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. Grant predominantly spent his career in municipal government for The Township of Michipicoten in Wawa, ON.
Grant lived his life with integrity and resilience and will be dearly missed. The family sends their greatest thanks to Dr. Brooke Wilson and the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre, the Rotary Club of Trenton, the staff at Quinte Health Care (Trenton) and Hospice Quinte for their compassion and support during Grant's illness.
Grant was a member of the Rotary Club of Trenton. Grant was a Rotarian for 55 years and also a Past President of the Wawa Club. Grant was an integral part of Rotary Youth Exchange in District 7070 for many years. Grant's father Eldon brought him into Rotary in Oshawa in 1967 and it was truly his passion. In his younger days,Grant was the first President of the Rotaract Club of Oshawa - the very first Rotaract Club in Canada. The 'Service Above Self' motto was apparent through his many hours of volunteering with Rotary through a variety of programs and initiatives. Grant and Diane loved to travel and attended many Rotary International events over the years. Grant lived his life with integrity and resilience and will be dearly missed. The family received friends for a time of visitation at the Weaver Life Centre, 29 Bay Street, Trenton on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 . Funeral Ceremony in memory of Grant was held at Heroes Landing, 57 Stella Cres., Trenton on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 . Here is the link : May24. https://www.
DR SURENDRA "SAM" RUPARELIA - ROTARY CLUB OF OSHAWA-PARKWOOD
It is with profoun
d sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Dr. Surendra (Sam) Purshotam Ruparelia. He passed away in the loving arms of his daughter at the Ottawa General Hospital on May 12, 2023. He leaves behind hearts that are broken but fiercely proud of the generous and courageous man he was and the many lives he touched and improved in his 83 years on this earth. His son, Rupel (Marcy), and daughter, Rakhi, miss him dearly, but marvel at his tenacity in fighting multiple medical battles until the very end. Fortunately, his grandchildren, Maya, Jaden (Rupel), and Zianna (Rakhi), have inherited his strength of character. Indeed, Zianna with whom her “Nana” lived for the past two years in Ottawa, has already committed to following his career path (medical specialty to be determined), to Nana’s utter delight. He always wanted another doctor in the family! Also mourning this extraordinary loss is his former wife, Hira Ruparelia, who was at his bedside at the end, and Surendra’s three surviving brothers and three surviving sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, Purshotam Kanji and Shanta Ruparelia, as well as many brothers and sisters in Canada and England who also left us too soon.
One of the greatest loves of Sam’s life was his work, although he never considered medicine “work”. Dr. Ruparelia adored and cared for his patients like they were friends and family, and he practiced with an old-school work ethic rarely found in family medicine anymore. He also contributed to his community through his work at the (then) Oshawa General Hospital, including as President of the Medical Staff Association from 1985-1986 and through his many years as a proud member of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood. He retired with a heavy heart, but no regrets, in 2014 after almost 40 years of practice in Oshawa.
Sam’s sense of adventure guided him throughout life, giving him the courage to leave his family in Uganda, where he was born in 1939, to pursue studies in England in 1958. Since he was a little boy, he knew he wanted to be a doctor. His dreams came true when he graduated from the University of Sheffield Medical School in 1966. Soon after, he married a beautiful woman named Hira Popat from Tanzania, and the two lived in England while they supported Surendra’s family members as they immigrated to the UK. When the travel bug bit Sam again, he and Hira moved to Zambia for their next adventure, where they welcomed their son Rupel into the world. In 1972, Sam moved his family to Canada on a whim when a recruiter in England made a compelling case for practicing medicine here. Rakhi made her appearance in the slightly less exotic locale of Sudbury before the family moved to Oshawa.
Sam’s life was one of service, selflessness, leadership, and courage. He made difficult choices and great personal sacrifices to make life easier for the rest of his family. His memory was selective: he remembered everything that others did for him, but somehow never retained the kindnesses he had done for others. He treated everyone with respect, regardless of their position in life. Sam was a true gentleman and scholar. Visitation was held at the Oshawa Funeral Home, 847 King Street West on Tuesday May 23rd . Funeral service was held in the chapel on Wednesday May 24th . In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Lakeridge Health Foundation, or any medical charity would be appreciated.