It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Dr. Harihar Prasad Johri, on May 5th, 2023 at the age of 86. Hari passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home. He was a devoted friend and loving husband to the late Dr. Swami Piyari (Seema) Johri, and is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Mira Johri and Andreas Warburton, as well as extended family in India, including Mrs. Jyoti (Dr. Sanjay) Saxena, Dr. Simi (Mr. Vivek) Saksena, Dr. Sonia (Mr. Naveen) Johri, and Dr. Nita (Dr. Deepak) Johri. Equally, Hari leaves behind a circle of true friends as important as family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Hari was born in Muzzafarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India on June 18th, 1936, and grew up in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. Born into an established family, Hari's childhood was marked by a reversal of fortune, with the family facing many hardships due to the untimely death of his father when he was only one year old. These early experiences gave him tremendous empathy for the plight of the poor and for the difficulties faced by women, particularly those raising children alone.
Hari will be remembered for three qualities: his tremendous determination and talent, his honesty and integrity, and his unfailing devotion to family. A brilliant student, Hari studied engineering at Delhi University in India and then in Canada at the University of Waterloo, where he completed a PhD in chemical engineering with a focus on operations research. Hari came to Canada for higher studies, but was quickly enamored by his new country, which aspired to be a society based on merit, transparency, and social justice. He began a career in the Canadian public service and rose to a very senior position as Director General of the Bureau of Management Consulting, before taking early retirement. He then flourished as an independent management consultant, working on national and global economic and environmental issues. Although he loved Canada, Hari never forgot his family or his birthplace. Hari and Seema together transformed opportunities not only for themselves and their daughter, but also for an entire generation of relatives and friends. Wanting to savour and contribute also to their country of origin, Hari and Seema eventually divided their time between Ottawa and Delhi. These golden years ended with Seema's death due to cancer in 2015. Shortly thereafter, Hari moved to the Classics on Riverside, finding renewed happiness in that warm, vibrant, and inspiring community. The family would like to thank all the friends who brought joy to Hari's life, and Farzana and Sadat Malik, for their loving care.
In all his dealings, Hari was known as a deeply honourable man. He was renowned for his generosity, kindness, high ideals, and his love of the arts and culture. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Although we are heartbroken at his loss, we take comfort in the words of one of his favourite poets, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
Title: gham na kar, gham na kar
Author: Faiz Ahmed Faiz
dard tham jā.egā ġham na kar, ġham na kar
yaar lauT ā.eñge, dil Thahar jā.egā, ġham na kar, ġham na kar
zaḳhm bhar jā.egā
ġham na kar, ġham na kar
din nikal aa.egā
ġham na kar, ġham na kar
abr khul jā.egā, raat Dhal jā.egī
ġham na kar, ġham na kar
rut badal jā.egī
ġham na kar, ġham na kar
This pain will cease. Do not grieve, do not grieve.
Friends will return, hearts will find rest. Do not grieve, do not grieve.
Wounds will heal
Do not grieve, do not grieve.
Dawn will break
Do not grieve, do not grieve.
Clouds will burst, night will recede
Do not grieve, do not grieve.
The season will change
Do not grieve, do not grieve.
Source
Rekhta https://www.rekhta.org/nazms/gam-na-kar-gam-na-kar-faiz-ahmad-faiz-nazms
Digital Guestbook
Seetal and Pär
Col & Mrs Gaurav Bhatia
Dear Mira,
Dear Mira,
In light of this difficult period, please know that Ranju & I are here to offer our unwavering support and assistance in any way you may require.
I understand that grief is a deeply personal journey, and it takes time to heal. Allow yourself the space and time needed to process your emotions and find solace in the memories of your father's life. Surround yourself with loved ones who can offer support and understanding during this trying period.
Once again, we offer our heartfelt condolences, and please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to ease your burden or bring you some measure of comfort.
With sincerest sympathy.
Anshu from Jaipur
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of beloved Hari Babaji, (your father).
My prayer that God will comfort you during this time of grief....... Anshu
Leena
May the Almighty grant him eternal peace!
Alka Tandon
Hari Uncle will be always remembered as a generous and kind soul, inspiring and guiding others and supporting many causes which helped community in any way.
In fact I remember he gave me Rs. 100/- , when my result came in his presence , and asked me to open a bank account, - I was in 8th grade.
? may his soul rest in peace ?
Marianne Rapley
My condolences Mira and Andreas. Thinking of you at this time of loss and sorrow. May your memories of your father fill your heart with warmth and peace. Xo
Bhuvenesh Goswami
I am deeply saddened about the loss of my dear friend hari.We go back to our days together at Delhi Polytechnic. I still remember our NCC Camp at Roorke of September of 1956.Hari was a very generous person and he shared that gift with all of the fellow cadets.I will greatly miss his gentle laugh and concern for those who were not as fortunate as he considered himself.My sympathies and prayers go for the family in this period of mourning.
Cindy Frazer
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am sending condolences and love during this difficult time.
Om Kamra
He was my best friend and confidant in Ottawa. So honoured to have known him. I will miss him dearly. May his soul rest in peace ?.
Indu Gambhir
A kind ,caring person . Loved his family .He never forgot all the people who supported him through his journey of life. He will be missed by all who were his friends .
Our deepest condolences and love to the family. Uncle was a very loving and special person.