In memory of
A.R. Kemahl "A.R.K." Khan
November 17, 1939 -
September 13, 2019
On September 13th, 2019, our beloved Aurangzebe Rohini Kemahl Khan, better known as "A.R.K., Kemahl or Sal", passed away at the age of 79 in Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas while on vacation with his daughter and three grandchildren.
A.R.K. was born on the 17th day of November in Georgetown, Guyana to Dr. Khan Kemahl and Rafickan Bacchus where he grew up in Albouystown on Sussex Street with his five siblings. A.R.K. attended Queens College in 1951-1958 and was a member of Weston âFâ House. He became ill in 1954 with Polio and was absent from school for one year due to his disabilities. He returned to Queens College in 1955 where he sat the GCE O Level exams in 1956 and passed in all of the nine subjects that he took. Kemahl went on to teach at Central High School following his graduation from QC. Kemahl also attended the Universities of the West Indies in Jamaica in 1964, where he graduated and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Econics. He took it further and attended the London School of Economics where he obtained his Master's Degree. Upon his return to Guyana from the University of the West Indies, he worked as a Parliamentary to President Forbes Burnham and went on a political tour to Indian, China, and Hong Kong. In 1978 he met his wife, Doreen Mattai and her two sons, Daniel Budhoo & Karl Budhoo. They all moved to Toronto, Canada in 1980 and the two got married on the 17th of December, 1980 at City Hall. They gave birth to their daughter Michelle Khan on January 23rd, 1984. A.R.K. also held the following positions on the Queens College Alumni Association of the Toronto Executive:
- President: 2009 - 11
- Director: 2011 - 17
- Vice-President of Membership and Communications: 2017 - Sept 2019
He was also a past Assistant Recording Secretary for the International Committee of the Queens College of Guyana Alumni Associations (ICQC), one of many who initiated the Back Pack Project to give back to the current students of the Queens College of Guyana and a fervent supporter of the Chapter and its social events.
Kemahl had a passion for humanity and helping others. He also loved to be the one in charge, so he combined his two favorite passions to create an extraordinary life for himself and the people within that life. His contributions of dedications, love and donations were much admired not only by friends, colleagues and family, but also by all who he encountered in his lifetime. He was also an avid music lover and a collector of The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Neil Diamond records, just to name a few! He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Kemahl lived a very fulfilling life and always pushed himself to live each day to the best of his ability.
Kemahl was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Khan Kemahl, his mother Rafickan Bacchus, his sisters Eileen and Zena and his brother Ashmede Safraj. He is survived by his ex- wife Doreen, his daughter Michelle Khan, his three grandchildren, Taijaune Khan, Naishaun Khan-Richards and A'Zariah Khan. His brother Ashmat Safraj, sister Noreen Atherley and several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends as well.
The viewing will be held on Thursday, September 26th, 2019 at 4pm - 8pm and a funeral service will be held on Friday, September 27th, 2019 at 11am - 12pm. The Interment will be at 12pm - 12:30pm. There will also be a repast at 12:30pm - 3:30pm. Everything will be held at the Pine Hills Cemetery located at 625 Birchmount Road. Donations may be made out to the Queens College Alumni Association - Pack Back Project.
