Surinder Jeet Singh
Passed away on the 10th of November, 2022
Aged 73 years old.
He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend.
He is mourned by his loving wife Kalwant Kaur; his 3 daughters Jasveen, Gurdeesh and Narveen, sons-in-law Edmund, Gajan and Jenan and his 6 grandchildren.
He will be loved and remembered always.
Surinder's funeral service will be held on Saturday 19th November, 2022 at 1.30pm in the Boyd Chapel at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
For those unable to attend, Surinder's service will be livestreamed. You can watch the service via the link below
https://smct.org.au/view/771337544
Paath da Bhog will be at Blackburn Gurdwara on Monday 21st November at 10.30am.
20 Tributes
Radhika srinivasan
My very dear atma bandhu, Surinder,
While we all know life is fickle, uncertain and transient, achaanak Dil Khali kar diya apne!? Sat Sri Akal.
A flood of nostalgic memories pours out as I recall our Balestier Mansion days. You were in Straits Times and looking for a Tamil knowing art critic. I was just a phone call away. You gave me tickets for the movie Sankarabharanam and I wrote a review. The rest is history. I looked forward to my column every week and kind of got high seeing my work in print.
I remember the elaborate lunch you made at Windsor park, your Dad playing the tabla and singing Shabad. And before I knew, we were thick as thieves, playing jugalbandhi and laughing away at our mistakes! Then one day, we were invited to perform on stage! We muddled through the taal and raag but who cared, people loved it and we came back thrilled. And of course we became TV personalities, both Sitar and Tabla being new to Singapore audience.
Surinder, I’ll never forget how you played the Tabla for a show even when your child suffered Meningitis and rushed off to the hospital soon after. “The show must go on, Radhi”, you said. I admired your inner conviction..would I have done that if it were my child, I wondered.
Those were challenging times and I saw how Australia transformed you and the child in more ways than one. But after long years of gap, when we met again in Sydney, it was as if time had stopped. We regressed into our fun filled humour and hubris! But greying had turned wit to wisdom now and we looked at life , each with our own lense but syncing at many points. Our stay with you, your drive to the temple and our friend’s house and Kalwant’s deeply spiritual chat are all etched in our hearts and minds, as if it was an equation from several past lives.
You could’ve waited my friend, we could have gone together, like the jugalbandi. But , like my Sitar that has remained silent for some years now, my expression too must move into silence now.. but your friendship will be ever fresh, ever radiant, ever joyous and divine. Perhaps we will meet again some day somewhere and laugh at life’s vagaries yet again !
Sleep Surinder, your body was tired and needed the rest. Dream of the Raga we could play, while I sit and pray..
Love Radhi
Harbans SinghKhakh
Too soon to go Surinder…was planning to meet.. Sadly one hour after giving your number to Prof. Kirpal Singh I got the shocking news .Rest in peace my friend, the memories of our younger days will always remain with me. A sad loss to not only the family but the whole community. May Waheguru ji bless your kind soul.
Simran Panesar-Saggu (Glasgow, Scotland)
I’m heartbroken for you all. I have very fond memories of Surinder Uncle from my time in Melbourne. Always cheerful and smiling and a very gentle soul. Such a loss to the world and to his family and friends.
May vaheguru bless his soul on its onward journey and give you all strength during this difficult time. Much love and all my prayers from across the ocean.
Rishpal Sidhu
Hello, Kalwant. I was saddened to learn of Surinderjeet’s passing. Like his father before him, he was an accomplished kirtaniya. Although our personal and professional paths did not cross much in the course of our lives, I have fond and vivid memories of how he good humouredly took our ragging when he first entered the University of Singapore as an undergraduate. He brought his tabla and played it for us in the men’s lounge at Union House. The loss of a loved one is hard to bear and I trust you will be consoled by the cherished memories of good and happy times spent together as a family. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Harjeet Randhawa
Dear Surinderjeet.
I had been to your house in Singapore ( Thompson Road) and I remember the laughter that rang out.
I remember driving the Punjabi singing duo – Mohini & K. Deep (who lived at my house for a whole month when thwy came to perform in Singapore) to your house for afternoon tea and they never did stop singing praises of Sewa Singh’s family’ s warm hospitality for a long time afterwards. Alas, the elders left for their Eternal home one by one as the Hukam came from their Maker. To be honest with you Surinderjeet, I don’t recall meeting or seeing you – maybe you were too young or too busy with studies to be interested in Punjabi singers! I do recall meeting your sisters who charmed us all with their very generous hospitality.
Rest in Peace dear brother.
You will be greatly missed by all who came in contact with you.
Harjeet Randhawa.
Panesar Family (Scotland)
We are all saddened and deeply shocked at the untimely passing of our Veerji Surinder Jeet.
His life was a blessing & memory a treasure. We cherish our time together which will stay with us forever.
He will be sorely missed and always be in our hearts. We have lost a beautiful soul.
Love you always Sati & Rani
Sangita and Uppinder Bhatia
Dear Surinderji’s passing has come as a big shock, he was a beautiful human being, so gentle humble and helpful. His warmth was felt every time we met over the many years he lived in Sydney. Our heartfelt condolences to Kulwantji and the whole family. He was too young to leave us and we will miss him. May his Soul Rest in Peace 🙏.
HARBIR SINGH N DURGADEV SINGH
Dear Surinder Jeet Singh’s sudden passing-on has come as a great shock to all of us. All we can say at this hour of grief is that “Tera Bhana Meetha Lage”. Pray WAHEGURU JI grant peace to the departed soul.
Harbir Nindra JP;PHF;ADLaw(SCUniv NSW);MMIA;CMA/Mahinder Nindra.
Gurvansh and Sohail Bhatia
Deepest condolences for the passing of such a wonderful man. Uncle was always full of such Joy and Excitement and it was a pleasure to be in his presence.
He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
May He Rest in Peace.
Jessey
I will always remember Uncle’s smile. His Jovial character and his wonderful loving image. He was so chill and always easy going. He was a very good man. He will always be missed.
Rita Kaur
Dearest ChacaJi,
You were the closest family member from my in-laws who treated me so well. Very much the same way like my father in law did. We lost the latter early on in our lives as he was called home by Waheguru Ji, just after a few years of my marriage. Meeting you on a number of occasions in Singapore and Australia made me realise how both you and my father in-law were very similar in many ways – both were musically talented, quiet but very knowledgeable and shared very profound life experiences. I still remember the advise you shared on raising girls as I also have two beautiful girls. You made time to meet, chat and share your family stories with me. You always made me feel very special, always introduced me as your daughter inlaw to your friends. May GuruJi provide the family with strength to deal with this loss. I am truly honoured to have known you. Waheguruji ji ka khalsa, Waheguruji ki fateh🙏
Jessie Gill (Toronto)
Dear Kalwant,
I was saddened to hear of Surinder’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May his soul rest in peace.
Lots of Love
Jessie
Jaspal K
Just watched part of the ceremony. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful human being. I wish I was there…, Love your courageous words you said about your dear husband. He must be so so proud of all the tributes send in his way to heaven.
The loss of a loved one is hard to bear and I trust you will be consoled by the cherished memories of good and happy times spent together as a family. Please accept my sincere condolences. May his soul merge with Weheguru Ji.
With Love and Prayers
Jaspal K
Strathfield Sydney.
Apinder Singh
ਮੁਇਆ ਗੰਢੁ ਨੇਕੀ ਸਤੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
Gurbani explains that “the good and noble deeds done by the departed souls keep us connected with them.
Manmeet Kaur
The passing of a legend.
We will always treasure the SYA 21st anniversary commemorative book lovingly compiled by Uncleji 🙏🏽 Grateful for his tireless sewa and yummy meals at camp.
Our sincere condolences to Kalwant and Surinder Ji’s family.
Guru Rakha.
Charanjit Kaur Kaler
To our dearest Bhoa ji and family,
We are deeply saddened to hear about phopher ji 🙁 I remember when you both came to London, phopher ji put together an unforgettable delicious feast of food, followed by little trinket of desserts. It was unforgettable. We will never forget to values, great food, memories and love that phopher ji created when everyone was around him. He is now with our creator, Wahaguru, where we will meet again. Big love and hugs to you, the girls, brother-in-laws and grand kids.
From Charanjit, Ranjodh, Keseri and Amaanet x
Tirlok Singh Kler
Dear Kalwant Kaur Ji,
Sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family on behalf of the Kler family on the passing on of Surinder Jeet Singh Ji. It’s Waheguru Ji’s rza that everyone has to abide by. We pray that Waheguru Ji grants him abode in his vast realms. GOD bless.
Mejar Gill
Sad news indeed. Heartfelt condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace.
Sherinda Shea
Surinder was the glue that not only held his family with unconditional love and support but also his close friends and the Punjabi community. He had the most wonderful big heart. He always welcomed me and my family with open arms and … beautiful food. He and Kalwant have always been there for me when I needed them the most and to share happy times.
I have always treasured my friendship with Surinder from the time I met him and the girls in 1986 at Melbourne airport.
God bless you my dearest brother.
Our deepest condolences to Kalwant, Jasveen and family, Deesh and family, Narveen and family.
Sherinda, Shane, Jasminda, Andrew, Ivy and Max
Pupinder Gill ( aka pinay) Oakville Canada
Our deepest condolences to the family of Surinder Jeet. We know him as Shinda as we spent many days as children and teens playing and hanging out at his family home in Singapore. Our parents were close friends with Shinda’s parents. My mother Kirpal, my brothers Amritpal And Gurmatpal ( aka Happy and Jolly) have good d memories of those days. We met all of you recently at a wedding and Gurmukh’s funeral in Canada. May Waheguru give all of you the strength and blessings to deal with this loss. Shinda will be with you always and you will smile every time you think about him. He was one unique man. Sending you lots of love and hugs.