Obituary of Satish Kumar

Satish Kumar, 90, Sydney, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, August 9, 2024. Born in northern India, Satish was the son of K.R. and Vidya. Satish was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather (Papa), uncle, and friend. If you met Satish, you felt his dignity, wisdom, intelligence, diplomacy, warmth, kindness, wit, and humour. His mind remained incredibly sharp till his last moments. It was a pleasure to be in his presence. He loved his teaching career, following in his father, K.R.’s footsteps. He remembers his years at the Canadian Coast Guard College with great fondness. He made many special friends there and proudly contributed to building quality programming for CCGC cadets. Prior to his teaching there, Satish taught in Baddeck, Port Hawkesbury, and Ethiopia, after starting his teaching career as a very young man in India, where Janak began her nursing career at the All-India Institute. Together, they came to Canada in 1965, first stopping in Ethiopia, then on to Cape Breton where they remained throughout their lives. Satish, the oldest child of five, is also survived by two siblings in India: Suvira and Vijay; by son Rohit Tinni in Ontario, son Atul Ronnie, at the family home in Sydney, and daughter, Neeta (Andrew Britten), grandchildren, Liam and Simon, all of Westmount, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews around the world. Besides his father, K.R. Bhardwaja and his mother, Vidya, Satish was predeceased by his sister, Pushpa, brother, Vimal, and beloved wife, Janak. Dad has been cremated as per his wishes. Satish and his family would like to thank so many people for their support and care. No way will we be able to say thanks to every individual on Dad’s behalf, but Dad did so by himself, by name, every time you entered and exited the room. Thanks especially to Dr. Jim MacKilllop, family physician, Dr. Mohan Virick, family physician, Dr. Robert Baillie and Dr. Paul MacDonald for cardiac care over the years, Dr. Karolyne MacDonnell, Dr. Tom Hubrecht, Dr. John Ritter, Dr. J.D. Milne, and Meaghan Grant-Bennett, committed to Satish's best interests since the moment they met, all with grace and humour. Thanks to all the team in Unit 3A, every one of you, especially Elaine Kelly and the great Carlie, thanks to the nurses in 4E, Shoppers Sydney River team, to the wonderful VON, particularly Donna Stewart for foot care, EHS, ER, and the Unit 4A team. Love and thanks to dear family Tewaris, Joshis, Musballys, Sahni Family, Anand Family. Finally, deep, heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ryan Kelly, Dr. Brendan McCarville, Dr. Graydon Lucas, and Dr. Joan Salah. You all brought Dad comfort, dignity, and safety when he needed it most, in each of your special ways. Satish says, “Thanks to all (friends, family, and health care providers) for great assistance in my journey through the years.” “… what defines a man, deep in contemplation, whose insight and thought are sure? … when he is content with the self within himself … in serenity, all his sorrows dissolve; his reason becomes serene, his understanding sure.” - excerpt from chapter 2, the second adhyay of the “Bhagavad Gita”. That crystal ball, though. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, NS, 902-539-7175. A visitation will take place at the funeral home on Monday, August 12, 6-8 pm. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.