New Zealand’s Sikh community has lost a well-loved leader on December 26. Gurnam Singh Toor, who held a number of senior and sensitive positions in the NZ Sikh Society over the past eight years, was serving as the society’s President when he passed away.
A gentleman to the core, Mr Toor was born to the late Sewa Singh Toor and Dhan Kaur Toor on March 16, 1939 at village Dholan, sub-division Jagraon, Ludhiana district, in the Indian state of Punjab.
He obtained his early education at the village and higher education with distinction at Jagraon and Ludhiana respectively. Mr Toor had been prolific hockey player in his youth. By virtue of this, Mr Toor obtained a respectable job in the Punjab State Electricity Board’s administration wing in 1957. Mr Toor was elevated as captain of PSEB hockey team, duties for which he discharged with great responsibility and success over the years.
Besides passing various departmental exams in PSEB, Mr Toor had successfully and diligently performed his family obligations. After his superannuation as accounts superintendent from PSEB Mr Toor migrated to New Zealand. It is pertinent to mention here that Mr Toor, without any personal gain or gratification played a pivotal role in placing the right person at the right place and providing regular service for about 125 people in PSEB during his stint there.
His services to the NZ Sikh Society, Auckland (which is a Charitable Trust under NZ Charities Act of 2005 and registered as a Charity Entity in 2008) over eight years have been much appreciated by the community. He had been holding the office of President for the year 2009-10.
With a high sense of dedication, devotion, discipline coupled with honesty and great responsibility he accomplished the duties of Treasurer during the period 2001-2006 when the largest Sikh Temple in the Pacific region (Kalgidhar Sikh Temple-Takanini (Auckland) was being constructed involving expenditure to the tune of NZ$ 8 million. He received praise from every corner of the country.
After a brief illness he was admitted to the Middlemore Hospital for treatment on December 19. Mr Toor breathed his last at 8.00 pm on December 26. His widow, along with two sons who have since been thorough gentle and true followers of Sikhism accompanied by their respective families, are living in Auckland.
With his sudden and untimely demise, the NZ Sikh Society, Auckland, has suffered an irreparable loss; the vacuum created by his passing will always be felt.
At the last rituals prayer day on December 31 at Kalgidhar Sikh Temple (Takanini-Auckland) former and present office bearers as also members of the executive committee of NZ Sikh Society, Auckland were joined by a number of friends and well wishers in paying homage to the departed soul.
His family, joined by all those present bowed in reverence before the most revered Holy Guru Granth Sahib with the humble prayer let the departed soul rest in peace.