Dr. Dariush Modarai, dentist by training and writer and educator by vocation, age 96, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada passed away on Friday, September 18, 2026. He was born in Tehran, Iran on July 15, 1930 to Abdu’llah Modarai and Legha Ahdieh Modarai.

Dariush will be remembered for, together with his wife Homa, mentoring young Iranians and developing many Persian cultural and literary experiences for many in the Toronto area. He will also be remembered through his writing about the Baha’i perspective on the evolution and progress of the soul and finally for the love and friendship he shared with all who came into his life.

He is survived by his younger brother Behrooz (Susan) Modarai of Sylvania, Ohio, USA; his two children Boris (Maria) and Atessa (Tim) Modarai, their children Dennis, Malika and Phillip all of Germany; his adopted daughter Barbara (Don) Peitso of Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; his step-daughters Soraya (her son, Christopher) Davai of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Suzie Davie, of Florida, and Flora (Sergio) Pellino of Italy; multiple nieces and nephews from around the globe who are praying for Uncle Dariush; and many dear friends here in Toronto who will miss him greatly but joining us now in celebrating his life.

Dariush was preceded in death by his parents; seven of his siblings - Parvaneh Boeve, Monavar Khodadadeh, Parivash Taghizadeh, Firouz Modarai, Mahin Javanmardi, Iraj Modarai and Pari Modarai; his nieces Martha Modarai and Jila Boal; his beloved second wife Homa Momtahan Modarai in 2012 and step-daughter Shadi Negri.
The details for the funeral and burial are below.