Albel Singh Gill
Passed away peacefully on February 1st, 2015 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. He was surrounded by his loving family. Albel was born on October 5, 1934 in the village of Mullanpur, Lalpur, Pakistan to Saudagar Singh Gill and Bachan Kaur Gill. His grandfather was Chhanga Singh Gill, a widely respected Sikh leader and political activist. Albel arrived in San Francisco, California in 1962 to complete his formal university education. He then moved north to Canada to marry his beautiful wife Avtar and settle in Calgary. From there, Albel and his family made their way west to Abbotsford and eventually Surrey. During that time, he worked proudly as a civil engineer with the City of Calgary (13 years) and later with the City of Maple Ridge (17 years). Albel also ran a blueberry farm for over a decade. Albel was a pillar of the Sikh community. He served on the Sikh Society of Calgary's executive committee in 1973 and 1977. In Abbotsford, Albel was instrumental in the construction of the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara, a dream of his father-in-law, Mota Singh Grewal. Albel was a member in 1980 and became Vice President in 1982. In this way, his entire life was spent in service of his greater family and community. Albel and Avtar always understood the burden of responsibility that had been thrust upon his shoulders and they have bore it with a sense of sacred duty and pride. The Gill house always had its doors open to anyone who needed help. The thousands of lives they touched will always remember their boundless generosity and kindness. Albel leaves behind his loving wife Avtar; children: Paul & Sharon, Kim & Cindy, and Gagan & Steve; and grandchildren; Zachary, Ashley, Stephanie, Lauren, Dhevin and Avani. The memorial service will be held at Fraser River Community Crematorium in Abbotsford on Sunday February 8th at 12:00 pm. Following the memorial service there will be a prayer service at Khalsa Diwan Society; 33094 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2A8. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Albel's name to the Parkinson's Society of Canada.