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
Our condolences and prayers go out to the Basi Family. It was always a pleasure to meet Gurdial. He brought a smile to everyone’s face. The Sihota Family
We met Gurdial through Bev and Dave.
We were in his company many times . We enjoyed him and the brothers, the three amigos . It was always so much fun at Darin’s hockey games with them.
He was a very special man, we will miss him greatly.
RIP Gurdial and hugs to your family.
Paul & Marleen Scyrup
To the Basi family
We are sorry for your loss and sending our condolences to you all.
Henri and Tilly VanHecke
My sincere condolences go out to all the family! I never met your dad but he sure sounds like a beautiful man!
Thinking about you all during such a sad time! He is flying with all the angels! Resting in peace!
Love always,
Karen Ravenhill
Deepest condolences to you all and so wish I had met your dad….from the service music and what your brother shared, he seemed pretty sassy.
I wish him and your family peace and healing and may you all know that his life was a gift, it sounds like to many. Gentle hugs ❤️
So sorry for your loss Aunty, Ron, Teri, Rob, Kim and family. Uncle was one of a kind and we will always remember his smile and of course all of his fun stories. I have so many wonderful memories from childhood when we all got together. Uncle will truly be missed.
Raykha, Sowaran, Nalin and Jalem
I have to echo what Frank Ewer said, because I came to know your family through you, Kim, and the SPD functions your parents graciously hosted. The love in your family touches all who are fortunate enough to meet them. May your Dad RIP. Condolences to everyone who knew and loved him.
Very sad news. So sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to the family. May his soul rest in peace, give courage to the family to bear their loss.
Dear Mrs Basi and Family,
Our sincere condolences. Gurdial was a man who cherished his family and brought a sense of humour to those around him. His passing will be a loss to so many. Rest In Peace, dear friend
as your stories will be repeated for years to come.
Our condolences to the Basi family and all the close friends affected by the passing of ‘Poppa’ Basi. We will always remember his sense of humour and his kind and generous manner. It was wonderful to read the eulogy and know that the exceptional traits Mr. Basi possessed are left behind in each of his four kids. That is what makes each of them the quality of people they are and the friends to so many. Please know our thoughts and well-wishes are with all of the family during this difficult time.