One of the most respected members of Richmond’s Indo-Canadian community has passed away, age 98.
Tributes have been pouring in for Asa Singh Johal, who has been described in the past as a “great pioneer, industrialist and philanthropist.”
Johal was a founder and major donor of the India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) Nanak Niwas on Richmond’s Highway to Heaven.
Surrey-Newton MLA Harry Bains took to Twitter to speak of his sadness at the “passing of one of the original pioneers.”
“He not only helped South Asians establish and flourish in British Columbia, his wisdom and entrepreneurship was key in developing BC’s forest industry, creating hundreds of good paying jobs,” added Bains.
While federal defence minister and Vancouver MP Harjit Sajjan said the loss of “Asa Uncle Ji” would be “felt across British Columbia and for many Punjabi Canadians like myself.
“Asa Uncle Ji was a pioneer in our community whose humble beginnings and drive to succeed was inspiring.”
In his early life, Johal came to Canada in the mid-1920s as a toddler with his parents from India, quit school and started working in the lumber industry as a 14-year-old.
Over the years, through hard work, perseverance and dedication, he managed to establish a formidable lumber enterprise - Terminal Forest Products Ltd - on Richmond’s Mitchell Island, providing employment to thousands of people over the years.
In that time, his family donated millions of dollars to public institutions including UBC, Richmond Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Children’s Hospital and the BC Cancer Society.
They also funded an auditorium for a girls secondary school in his native village in Jandiala, India.
“Richmond has always been very dear to Johal’s heart,” said India Cultural Centre’s Balwant Sanghera, back in April, when the centre was presenting Johal and his wife with a plaque.
“The management committee of India Cultural Centre of Canada is very proud of (Johal).”
