Canada's first South Asian physician, Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill, dies at 92
CBC
Canada's first-ever South Asian physician died at 92 in New Westminster, B.C., last Sunday.
Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill made history in 1958 when he became the first Indo-Canadian physician, according to the B.C. government.
Gill moved to Canada from India in 1949 at a time when the Canadian Encyclopedia estimates there were only about 2,000 South Asians in the country. Shortly after they gained the right to vote, according to Elections Canada.
He would go on to become president of Vancouver's Khalsa Diwan Society, overseeing a new gurdwara building in South Vancouver at a time when few existed for local Sikhs.
His grandson, Imran Gill, said his grandfather lived "a very selfless life," devoted to "uplifting others" not just in Canada but building sanitation infrastructure in Punjabi villages, including the one he left in 1949.
"He was the best grandfather who always made time for his family," Gill recalled. "Being the first grandchild of his, I got to spend a lot of time with him — and so I'm fortunate.
"His drive and his commitment to helping others in everything he did was what stays with me."
Gill said among his grandfather's proudest moments was being inducted into the Order of British Columbia in 1990 — the first year B.C. ever gave what it calls "the highest form of recognition the province can extend to its citizens."
He received the award in its inaugural year, alongside luminaries such as musician Bryan Adams, Olympic medallist gymnast Lori Fung and businessman Jim Pattison.
"Being on stage with all those other wonderful Canadians," Gill said. "He was so proud of that recognition."
He displayed the medal proudly in his home, and wore it during his grandson's wedding three years ago.
One of Gill's decades-long patients thanks the physician for his very life.
Rajinder Singh Pandher, 81, recalled an incident at a Vancouver Indo-Canadian conference in 1977.
When Pandher was suddenly struck by a bad headache, Gill noticed and, after some questions, insisted Pandher get tests done through his clinic.
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