Dad died peacefully at home on December 22, 2021 spending his last few days surrounded by family. Born in Victoria at St. Joseph’s Hospital on September 25, 1936 to Sohan Singh and Beant Kaur Basi, Dad was one of 4 children.
Predeceased by his sister Bibi and sister-in-law Geri, he is survived by his wife Raghubans, children Ron (Gwen), Teri, Rob (Chris), and Kim; grandchildren Jenna (Stacey), Cameron, Ryan, and Graham. He will be greatly missed by family members and his many friends.
Dad grew up on Market Street spending the majority of his youth hanging out with his brothers (and best friends) Kirp and Jerry. At the age of 8, sitting on a block of wood with blocks on the pedals, Dad started to drive his father’s ’42 Dodge wood truck. He got caught occasionally, each time costing his father a bottle of rye when he was picked up from the police station. In his youth he developed lifelong meaningful friendships growing up with members of the East Indian community while working around the wood mills and lumber yards in Greater Victoria. Dad attended SJ Willis in grade 8 (for two years) where he learned that if you bought your teacher cigarettes they were obliged to share them with you. He learned how to smoke in the metal shop. At 14, his first job was as a stencil boy at Highway Sawmills. At 16 he worked at Plumper Bay where he drove a lift truck loading lumber on his father’s truck using a sling rather than forks; this was no small task. At the end of his second grade 8 year he started truck driving for Ideal Fuel hauling wood up and down the Island. However, it wasn’t until Dad turned 21 that he actually got his license. In the following years he was considered to be one of the best two-stick gear jammers around. He and Mom married on February 23, 1958 raising their kids in Victoria. He worked for Ideal Fuel until 1984 when the company, as Dad would say, went belly up. He then drove for Doman’s and Blue Star Transport until he retired in 2001.
Not one to mince words, Dad will be remembered as an upbeat, to the point, caring guy who’d give you the shirt off his back. With his blue collar upbringing he knew where he came from and how to command a room with his stories and humour.
He loved his grandchildren, niece, nephews, and had an incredibly soft spot for animals.
With consideration to the current Covid-19 situation, a private Funeral Service was held. A recording of the service can be found below.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Royal Jubilee Hospital: Heart Function Clinic, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC V8R 1J8
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
66 Responses
We were very sad to hear of Gurdial’s passing. He was a childhood friend of my Dad, Bunt Manhas. They had some adventures together including going to India together to get married. Their friendship lasted a lifetime.
Our deepest condolences to the Basi Family.
We go away back! Gurdial was a real character! He was a mentor to me ! I have many fond memories that I will cherish! Our neighborhood had many great people, none greater than my friends, The Basi Family! Time parted us but feelings of friendship were always there whenever we met up! Gurdial was a beauty ! May you Rest In Peace my friend!
My Heartfelt Condolences and Sympathies go out to the Families !
You were like a brother to me!
Your dad was such a cool guy and I will always remember his big smile.
Was a pleasure to have known him, sorry for your loss
Sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Basi. He will be missed. Gurdave, Millyn and the Sundhers.
Dear Aunty, Ron, Teri, Rob, Kim and family…my heartfelt condolences to you all. Uncle was special man with a heart of gold, and some of the best stories I ever heard. He was here for all of us when we lost our father…a wonderful man who will be missed.
What a great history of a great man!! Thanks for sharing your memories of Gurdial. Our condolences to all the family.
I am so pleased and grateful to have met him! Saw him on two occasions one being at Costco and the other being after I retired from being a class 1 driver for Thrifty’s and was working part time at Broadmead. I noticed his “Blue Star” ball cap and the conversation just flowed.
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your Father Ron!
Bill & Jannette
To the Basi family, our sincere condolences. I loved this man so much and will miss running into him and sharing our time together over the years . Our stories never grew old and always entertaining. Gurdial was a prince of man that was always the same and a ton of laughs. Our association basically started with my Dad because Gurdial would dump his Highway Sawmills log truck sometimes at night when the tide came in . I first saw him when going to High School in Lake Cowichan and the Ideal trucks would tighten the chains in front of the school . Always a treat to meet him when I started to drive with his shiny truck, big smile and wave all whilst blowing his air horns ! So going to miss you my friend as will many ❤️❤️