Obituary of Basil Singh

BASIL "BARNEY" SINGH, BSc Eng. September 16, 1927 - August 21, 2013 On August 21, 2013 at Baycrest Palliative Care Unit, Barney passed away peacefully. Beloved husband of 59 years of Yvonne (nee Ferreira), Loving father of Nicholas (Giuliana), Keith, David (Marsha), Rosemarie (Randy), Timothy (Tarquin). Proud Grandfather of Matthew, Alex, Courtney (Jay), Kimberly, Chris, Kougar, Ella, Sienna, Lucan, Summer. Brother of Alfred (Morna), late Patrick (Nalini). Barney was born in British Guiana now Guyana. He graduated from Central High School in 1944. He began his career as a school teacher from 1944-1951. Leaving for London, England in 1951 where he gained his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and his Hydraulic Engineering degree from the Netherlands in 1959. Barney and Yvonne were married in London in 1954 and they returned to British Guiana in 1960 with 3 sons, where he worked as an Irrigation Engineer. They immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1963 where Barney gained employment at the O.W.R.C. and later the Ministry of Environment. He retired in 1989 after 25 years of service. Throughout his lifetime he was involved in many volunteer and charitable organizations such as The Indian Eskimo Association, Prime Mentors of Canada, CESO and the Cancer Society and he was Scout Leader of the 5th York Mills Troop. In retirement he became an avid golfer, adding to his many other interests . Barney was a gifted story teller and over the years, entertained many with live performances of his humorous tales. In his final years Barney struggled with the restrictions of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Undaunted and after years of urging by his friends to "write it down", he turned his energies to becoming an author and in 2012 published "Tales in the Guyanese Vernacular". Barney enjoyed a full and joyful life that encompassed the friendship of a wide circle of friends and family. A "hello" to a stranger would often become a lasting friendship. It is without a doubt that Barney will be missed by all who knew him, happily remembered for sharing his knowledge, encouragement and humour. We would like to thank all the nurses and staff at Baycrest Palliative Care Unit who took care of Barney. We are also grateful to the large circle of friends and family for their kind gestures, calls and generosity of their time in visiting and caring for Barney. In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations to Baycrest Foundation or your favourite charity would be appreciated. Visitation on Thursday, August 22nd from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Ogden Funeral Home (4164 Sheppard Ave. E.). Mass at St. Gabriel's (670 Sheppard Ave. E.) on Friday, August 23rd at 10 a.m.