Vigil at Tamanawis Secondary School on Saturday for math teacher Suminder Singh; funeral on Sunday (update)

SUMINDER Singh, 55, head of the math department at Surrey’s Tamanawis Secondary School who was killed in an accident last Friday, is being eulogized as ‘the most passionate educator who inspired his students to be the best they could be, while also dedicating selfless hours to the Sikh community.’

Singh died when his SUV crashed into a tractor-trailer on Highway 15 at 176th Street in Surrey on October 5 at around 3:35 p.m. He was extricated from his vehicle but could not be revived.

A vigil has been planned for Singh on Saturday, October 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in front of Tamanawis Secondary School, 12600 66th Avenue.

Singh was born in Punjab and raised in Bedford, England. For the past 30 years he had been living in B.C. He earned his BSc. Engineering (Honors) from London Kings College and his BEd. Mathematics from UBC. He had been a math teacher at Tamanawis Secondary School for the past 14 years.

He is survived by his wife Kirpal Kaur, three children and three siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14 at Five Rivers Funeral Home, 7410 Hopcot Road, Delta. This will be followed by Bhog Sehaj Paath and Antam Ardaas at Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, New Westminster.

 

According to a post on the Wake Up Surrey Facebook on Saturday (unedited):

 

SUMINDER Singh, head of the math department at Tamanawis Secondary tragically passed away yesterday (car accident) and has left our entire South Asian Community in a state of shock. Mr. Singh was the most passionate educator, inspired his students “to be the best you can be ” while also dedicating selfless hours to our sikh community. It’s safe to say very few can attain his well deserved respect amongst all and endless humility,
Wake Up Surrey would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Singh family, especially his dear wife and children.

Today, we are all speechless, one of our finest role models, a pillar in serving our youth, a devoted father and a loving husband left us too soon. Here are some tributes from former students:

-He was my highschool teacher, my favorite highschool teacher. He taught my calculus and how to weight train forever will I remember him! I can’t believe he’s gone -RIP
You were amazing…….

-Mr. Singh was more than a teacher, he was a leader, he was a friend, he was a sevadar. He has left this world, and with no doubt is one with waheguru ji now. Teachers come and go, but some change your world and he changed every student’s world. We hope to see you at the vigil remembering this kind, humble soul. Rest in peace, Mr. Singh.
-As soon as I heard the news my heart dropped. I remember having Mr.Singh as not my Pre-Calc and Calc 12 teacher…..He inspired me to not give up and have fun with math and life in general. He’s the only reason I did well in both subjects.
-Mr Singh was an amazing teacher. No one can take his place. He was so dedicated to making sure each student was doing not just the best of their ability, but making sure that they arrived to be better. He always was there to help, not to mention, his math jokes were on point. RIP Mr Singh.
-Mr Singh is hands down one of the best teachers anyone can have. He’s so knowledgeable, inspirational and super funny! I had never earned an A in math throughout highschool until grade 12 and it was all thanks to him.
-To his students, he was more than just a teacher.
To the community, he was more than a selfless volunteer.
To his family, he was their rock
-Hands down the best math teacher I have ever had or heard of…….He is the only teacher that I have seen that considers the students success to be his own success. The best teacher at Tamanawis.
-Best Teacher u can ever get nice awesome chillz pure punjabi and funny
-mr singhs a straight G love this guy… hes a bunda and has funny jokes
-He is definitely one of the best teachers ever. Whenever we need help, he is always there to help whether that may be in the mornings, at lunch or afterschool.
-Mr. S. is the coolest dude! He has the biggest heart and is crazy good at math. explains stuf sooooo well and is sooo funny, makes math so much fun. Best thing about him is that he helps you a lot and really cares about how well u do. He is the real deal. That’s what makes him an amazing teacher and amazing person. We luuuuv u Mr. S.!!!!!!!
-Best teacher ever. You will find out soon enough how good he is when your in university/college.
-“The true testament to Suminder’s impact is that although I never witnessed him teach a single lesson (class), I knew all about his teaching. Suminder’s students loved him and he loved them – even more than mathematics – and they would often talk about what a positive influence he had on their lives.” (Harman Pandher, teacher)
-That’s such a huge loss for the family and the whole community … Mr. Singh was an amazing human being and a very valuable colleague. May his soul rest in peace… condolences to the family.(teacher)