Bhasker Ramnarayan Pandya, 81, of Thornhill, Ontario, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2020,at Mackenzie Health Hospital.

He was born to parents Ramnarayan and Pushpa Pandya, on September 22, 1939, in Baroda, India. From a poor family, his elder brother pushed Bhasker to further his education and was the only one in his family to receive a university degree. He attended Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, where he received a degree in Civil Engineering and learned to speak German. With his family's encouragement, he left India to England on May 26, 1966 and made his way to the United States before settling in Canada for a better life.

He married Hemlata, on February 9,1973, who survives him. The love and respect he had for his wife was genuine and deep up until his dying day. Bhasker is also survived by his loving children, son Paresh Pandya and daughter Chetna Pandya. Bhasker was predeceased by parents Ramnarayan and Pushpa Pandya; brothers Mahendranth Pandya, Lalit Pandya, Bhupendra Pandya, Pravin Pandya and Narendra Pandya; and sister Rama Bhatt.

Bhasker was known for his love of anything sweet, cheese, a good drink and footie. His passion for learning was evident as his interest in science, economics, philosophy and history continued long into his life. He read whatever he could get his hands on and even when his vision started to fade, he continued his education in other various means.

He always had a smile on his face, always up for a chat and had unimaginable patience. He enjoyed telling stories about his life, of where he came from, his struggles and triumphs and most importantly his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in support of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (Canada).