Haradhan Bhattacharya

In loving memory of Haradhan Bhattacharya; beloved father, loyal friend, and a teacher to anyone who has ever been graced with his presence.

On April 14, 2023 at 9:22 AM, the eve of Nobo Borsho, Haru passed away in palliative care in the comfort of his Mississauga home at the age of 76. The morning sun had shone brightly in a cloudless blue sky; the first manifestations of a warm spring day filtering in through his large balcony windows. He would’ve reflected on this symbolism; the Bengali New Year heralding his transition from his Earthly body, signifying his soul finding rest and peace.

Though Haru moved on from this life quietly after an arduous battle with IPF, his living energy was anything but quiet. Those who truly knew him, knew that he lived life loudly, exuding an infectious zest for life that enveloped all indiscriminately.

Today, as we pay homage to him, we welcome you to celebrate and reminisce on a full and well-lived life in his honour through the same vivacious lens that he always did.

Haru was born in Kolkata, India to Suresh Chandra Bhattacharya and Kamala Bhattacharya. Born into a Hindu Brahmin family, he was the youngest son of seven, his six siblings predeceasing him. He is survived by his two children — Joya and Sekhar —and their respective spouses; Preshoth Paramalingam and Rachel Takeuchi. He leaves behind their two rescue dogs; Ollie and Dudley.

Haru immigrated to Canada in his late 20s, and made his career as a Certified Management Accountant. Ever the philomath though, he encapsulated much more than that. He was a voracious reader, a tutor, an avid sports enthusiast insofar as playing the role of pseudo-baseball and soccer coach, a debater that rivaled none when it came to politics and philosophy, a financial savant, a creative and experimental cook with a gusto for gastronomy, an ardent traveler, and a prodigious storyteller, with a knack for witty humour.

But above all, he was a father. He was our father.

Dad loved his children as loudly as he lived. With his every word, he spoke fondly of us to anyone who would listen. With his every act, he was always two steps ahead — planning and preparing — with us as his focus. With his every breath, he found contentment in our company, forever gifting us with profound knowledge far surpassing our lived years, the residual effects of his imparted wisdom still lingering on in his absence.

He’d always tell us that he spoke too much, and that one day, he would finally speak less.

“We love hearing your tales, Dad!”, we’d quip, in between fits of mirth, acutely aware that his efforts to blend into the background were futile. He’d smile knowingly, the crinkles framing his eyes deepening in amusement, as he acknowledged his truth.

Dad was many things. But what he was not, was silent and apathetic. His passion for all things in life, even to his last breath, was distinct to the way he lived life with an earnest conviction and an eagerness for ‘lifelong learning’. In so many ways, Dad modeled the type of resourcefulness, resilience, and progressive outlook we hope to commemorate him with in our own lives.

In Dad, we first found the best parts of ourselves, and through us, he will live on as we pay tribute to the remarkably unforgettable human he was.

‘OM TAT SAT’

A private funeral will be held on Thursday, April 20 from 11am-12pm, followed by cremation.

TO DAD:

We miss you insurmountably. We miss your booming voice, your clever comebacks, your unabashed pride and confidence, your immeasurable exuberance, palpable in the air as you’d spontaneously break into song and dance, the way your face lit up when regaling us with tales of your childhood spent frolicking along the Ganges River, your boundless joy in eating anything especially spicy or sweet, and the depth of your knowledgeable and adventurous soul. Most of all, we dearly miss the strength of your unfiltered love for us.

Rest In Peace, Daddy.