ATWAL, Onkar

Passed away peacefully at home with loved ones by his side on Tuesday,
July 16th, 2019. Onkar in his 90th year, was the beloved husband of
Devinder Dana, loving father of Nina (Gerry), Preeti (Bradley), Seema
(Ajit) and Randeep and adored grandfather of Evan. He will be sadly missed
by his brothers Pritam and Rachpal with whom he had an exceptionally close
bond and his extended family. He was predeceased by his parents Karnail
and Bhagwanti and sister Amarjeet.

Onkar was a dedicated professor emeritus of veterinary medicine at the
University of Guelph for 29 years and around the world in India,
Afghanistan, Mexico, Ecuador, St. Kitts, Alabama and at his alma mater
Davis, California.

Onkar’s love of animals extended to his canine family Rex, Satchi, Sidney,
Daphne and Gryffen. He had a passion for music, Urdu poetry and ghazals
and especially singing which was a much anticipated event at family
celebrations. Onkar was a world traveler starting in Kenya where he was
born and continuing through many countries in Asia, Europe, and North,
Central and South America but his heart was always at home in India where
he spent his formative years. He had a spontaneous and adventurous spirit
— traveling alone with his brother by ship from Mombasa to Bombay en route
to boarding school, jumping up on stage and singing with Joan Baez in
Berkeley and driving with his family through the Khyber Pass.

He will be remembered as a great conversationalist, a lover of history and
biography, an avid sports buff and respected professor.

A service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 762 Woolwich St, Guelph,
on Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m. Reception to follow at Gilbert MacIntyre
and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St, Guelph. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society. Donation cards are
available at the funeral home (519-821-5077), or online.