Sundaram Vivek ANAND

1931 - 2022

SUNDARAM VIVEK ANAND January 10, 1931 - October 3, 2022 Dr. Sundaram Vivek Anand ("Andy") MBBS, MPH, FRCS (C) grew up in the holy city of Benares, India, where he learned Sanskrit, a language in which he could recite the entire Bhagavad Gita from memory. He went to medical school at age 16 in Agra, then trained in England as a surgeon (FRCS, 1959). In Ireland, when giving a lecture on Gandhi's teachings, he met Dr. Saroj Daulat Ram, and they married shortly thereafter. Together, they worked as a medical team in Nigeria and India before immigrating to Kentville, Nova Scotia in 1965. Here, they raised their three daughters Gitanjali, Indira Anita, and Sonia Savitri for 20 years. Anand and Saroj embraced life in Nova Scotia with enthusiasm learning to ski, curl, and sail and taught their daughters the value of community and service to others. Sadly, Anand passed away on October 3, 2022, with his daughters by his side, holding his hands and reciting his favourite shlokas. He practiced general surgery for almost 50 years in London, Kentville, Napanee, and Georgetown, responding to calls for his community on a 24/7 basis. He pioneered gastric bypass surgery in Canada, performing over 100 of these surgeries and publishing the first experience in the Canadian Journal of Surgery in 1984. He completed several locums in Canada's North, including in Iqaluit and Moose Factory. He taught surgery and lectured in public health at Queen's University. Anand started to draw and sketch at a very young age. His kindergarten teacher encouraged his parents to support his artistic talent and his future education. His abilities became more apparent during medical school where he excelled in the study of human anatomy. During his postgraduate studies in England, he illustrated medical textbooks on a part-time basis for one of his professors. Anand was able to answer examination questions by illustrating the human body through his drawings. After arriving in Canada, his surgery practice was complemented by his passion to learn and capture the Canadian landscape through his art. He attended many art workshops in Spain, France and elsewhere in Europe, along with international artists. His artwork has been exhibited in Nova Scotia and Ontario. In his later years, he taught painting aboard cruise ships in Southeast Asia and Alaska. Anand's father was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, working with him and participating in India's independence movement. As a young boy, Anand grew to know Gandhiji and was a devout follower of his teachings. Anand recited chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita every day. He was a true Karma Yogi and always sought a path to reach moksha (spiritual liberation) through work. During his busy surgical practice, he routinely left family dinners "to do an appendix." Nevertheless, Anand would enthusiastically fit painting, baking, and golfing into his days. Anand had an infectious joie de vivre which he imparted to everyone he met, always welcoming them into the family home. He was gregarious and happiest when he was able to socialize with his family and friends. Anand was dedicated to education, both his own and his family's. He took piano lessons as well as Spanish and French lessons (the latter with his daughters). He loved to garden and read books and journals of all sorts, which he underlined and highlighted for his daughters before passing them on. Anand was predeceased by his dear wife, Saroj; and his siblings, Pushpa, Ramakrishna, and Padma. He leaves his devoted daughters, Gita, Anita (John), and Sonia (Myles); and adoring grandchildren, Anand, Anjali, Sonia, Monica, Anand, Kashia, and Sachin; his sister, Saraswati; and cousin-brother, Captain KC Shekar; his large extended family, and his many friends. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to his dedicated caregivers: Jasmine, Hanna, and Mamkon, Dr. Patrick Magloire as well as the staff at Pearl and Pine. I slept and dreamt life was joy I awoke and saw life was service I acted and behold, service was joy. Rabindranath Tagore Funeral and visitation arrangements have been entrusted to Smith's Funeral Home, Burlington, 905-632-3333 www.smithsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in memory of Anand, please consider Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation (www.hamiltonhealth.ca) or a Charity of Your Choice.