Obituaries

CHINNIAH Vimala Chandra

January 14, 1941 – December 11, 2019 Chandra was born on January 14, 1941. Singapore was his home but in reality, the world was his home. He envisioned a world without borders. He was a global citizen who travelled the world and embraced where he was: its language, culture, customs and especially its people; learning from everyone around him from every age and walk of life. Although Chandra loved his life in Singapore as the middle of 11 siblings, as an athlete and as assistant Superintendent of Police he longed to explore all the world had to offer and set out in 1974 on that adventure. That same year he met his wife, Sheila Gearin from Renews, Newfoundland, a place he treasured and found friends, especially with his mother-in-law, Mollie. He settled and thrived in Newfoundland culture and found in its people the sincerity and honesty he valued. Education was a value instilled in Chandra and all his siblings by their parents, K. & R. Chinniah. Chandra enlisted in the M.SC. program at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His area of study in Parasitology opened up contacts with every level of the Newfoundland Fishery; meeting people who became his friends for life. Music was a big part of Chandra’s life. His real delight was dancing, especially with his partner in the company of others. Be it a slow lulling waltz, tango or Spanish melody, a lively jig, jive or his favorite, the twist. Chandra was always the first to his feet. His many hours of listening to classical music led to a discussion about nature and his concern for the environment. Chandra was very close to his family. He and Sheila travelled extensively but always considered Singapore a treasure of support through family and friends. His father’s death in a traffic accident in 1987 was a big loss to Chandra. In 2017 he and Sheila travelled to Singapore for his mother’s funeral. She died at the age of 103 but grieving doesn’t stop at any age when the loss is your mother. Chandra is also predeceased by his sisters: Padma (1988) and Puspa (2013); his brother Shanmuganathan (2010); his father-inlaw and mother-in-law: Leo Gearin (1977) and Mollie Gearin (2010). He leaves to mourn his wife, Sheila (Gearin) Chandra; his sisters Devi and Rathi in Singapore; his brothers: Gopal and Manohara in Singapore; Rasu and Ragu in Australia; Ganeish in the Philippines along with their families and the nephews of his deceased siblings; members of the Gearin family; special sister-in-law Kathleen (Gearin) Pike (Doug) and their children and grandchildren; and many cousins and friends worldwide. Mourning with us are his dear friends, Rasul Khan and Ken Mercer who shared a constant and cherished bond with Chandra. He treasured their friendship so much. Chandra spent the last 18 months at Pleasantview Towers. The nursing staff and the support staff on 4NW were his angels. The neurology staff at the Health Science Centre and the Movement Disorder Clinic were there for Chandra every step of the way allowing him to make the best of each day. Although his Parkinson’s Disease was progressing, there were no indicators that the end was near. He slipped away quietly in the late afternoon of December 11, 2019. His vision of making the world a better place will be celebrated at a future date when his family and friends will remember together a life well lived, a generosity that knew no limits, a value for fun, laughter and honesty in life and the humility to learn something from everyone he met. “…and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…. I hope you dance…. I hope you dance” (I Hope You Dance – Leeann Womack)