APRIL 2, 1935 – FEBRUARY 22, 2022
Dindial Pooran passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at the age of 86.
Dindial was born in 1935 in Guyana, South America under colonial rule. His parents were the children of indentured workers from India in the 1800s and raised 9 children, 5 boys and 4 girls. Under the poor, substandard living conditions imposed by the British, his father got very sick and his mother and brother Jai were forced to work to support the family in a sugar plantation. Although he was at the top of his class, Dindial’s high school education was unaffordable, and so he took a job making cabinets and doing carpentry, as well as rice farming and working odd jobs whenever possible.
On weekends, he sold caps and hats that his parents made at the plantation market. In 1952, Dindial converted to Christianity (the Church of God) and upgraded his schooling. He studied Ministry and Theology in Trinidad and Tobago at La Pastura, graduating in 1964. Dindial said that accepting Christ was one of his proudest moments, as well as meeting his beautiful wife in St. Charles’ Church of God. In 1969, their wonderful but struggling family moved to Canada. Dindial was disappointed to learn that Canada would not accept his credentials, or even give him a chance to pursue his dreams, for he wanted to be a Family Counselor and a Pastor. Unfortunately, the education requirement challenges of the time worked against him. Still, Dindial was able to work for a homegrown church for 10 years until it folded, counselling many newcomers to Canada and volunteering at the Cambridge Country Manor.
He studied Woodworking and Quality Control at Conestoga College and became an accomplished Service Person for 29 years at Kralinator Filters in Preston. He was especially proud to watch two of his children grow up and attend University. Canada did give his children a much better life, and they were “relatively comfortable,” in Dindial’s words. He was grateful for that. Dindial will be remembered as a hardworking man with unshakeable faith, who valued his family above all. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 57 years, Pearl Pooran, his son Richard Pooran (Barb McNally), his daughter Anne Wildfong (Steve), his grandchildren Maeve, Sarah (Nick), Katie (Paul), Stephanie (Joseph), Tyler, and Jakob, and one great-granddaughter Isla. Dindial was predeceased by his parents Ramlogan and Budhia Pooran, his first-born son Paul Preston Pooran who was only 9 months old, and many brothers, sisters, and extended family members.
A Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 6th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Barthel Funeral Home. Space is limited to 25 guests at a time, so please line up outside and wait for your chance to come in. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 7th at 11:00 am at St. John’s Anglican Church (567 Queenston Road, Cambridge). As we are managing capacity at the church, if interested in attending, please e-mail Anne at [email protected] to be added to the guest list. All are welcome to view the Livestreamed Service online, available by clicking the “join livestream” link on the funeral home’s website. Interment will follow at Parklawn Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.
