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Afzal SULEMAN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Afzal SULEMAN
68 Entries
Rae Dulmage
January 30, 2019
I am sorry to hear of Al's passing. A positive and considerate man to work with throughout the years.
Saleha Hussain
January 25, 2019
Al was a fountain of knowledge and professionalism! I had consulted him for advice on Fire Services matters at the City of Toronto and found him to be extremely knowledgeable and kind. He will be missed dearly. My deepest condolences to his family.
Elvira Zaens
January 24, 2019
My deepest sympathy to Al's family. It was such an honour to have worked with Al at OFM even for a short span of time. Hats off to you. Your kind words, advices, and words of encouragements will be remembered.
January 24, 2019
Anisha, Sabrina and Adam, we are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Please know that we are thinking of you during this very difficult time.
Patty Albert and Family
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Nazeera Karmali
January 23, 2019
My deepest condolences to the Suleman family.Afzal was a true gentleman. Always kind and respectful.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Rosmin & Family (Kassam)
January 23, 2019
Our deepest, deepest condolence to the Suleman family. We were very sad to hear of Afzal's passing. May you rest in eternal peace, my friend. Amen.
Abbas Akhavan
January 23, 2019
Al was a mentor to me since I did join to OFMEM Since 2013(actually he hired me and it was a watershed moment in my working career). He was always supportive, kind, humble, helpful and caring and I learned a lot from him since then. Thank you Al for the unwavering support.
"A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven."
James Orr
January 23, 2019
Al was a great contributor to Canada's safety code system and public safety. He will be remembered for this contribution by many and for me personally the loss of a great colleague.
Philippe Geoffrion
January 23, 2019
A true gentleman has left us. His wisdom and smile will be missed.
Bernard Moyle
January 23, 2019
I had the pleasure of working with Al Suleman for many years. Al was a true professional whose work contributed to improving fire and life safety in Ontario and beyond. With his calm and pleasant approach he touched the lives of the people he worked with in a very positive manner. Al was an exceptional human being and truly a man of peace.
Alison Wilson
January 23, 2019
It was a privilege to know Al. He was a wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Judy Janzen
January 23, 2019
Dear Anisha, Adam and Sabrina. I am so sadden to her of Al's passing. Through our years together as LBP parents and with the Aurora Opera Company, Al always conducted himself with grace and honour. He was so thoughtful to always ask after Laura and so proud of both Adam and Sabrina's accomplishments. Anisha, your 30 years with Al were special because you are both kind, honest, gentle people. I am very sorry for your loss Anisha, I hope the many strong family memories help you through this time and give you reasons to smile in the com8ng month's.
Jill Moore
January 22, 2019
I had the absolute honour of being a colleague of Al's during his tenure on the York Region Children's Aid Society's Board of Directors. Al was a very passionate and thoughtful man who made a huge contribution to the most vulnerable residents of York Region - our children. I am absolutely heartbroken for his family, who he always spoke of with love and pride. He touched my life, and I will always treasure our friendship. Rest In Peace, Al. ❤
Margaret and Scott Campbell
January 22, 2019
When I think of Al, the first thought that comes to mind is what a dedicated and proud family man he was. Anisha, Adam and Sabrina were the world to him and the Suleman's are a family that I will always think of as one of the most blessed families that I know. I hope that all the love and memories created over the years will carry you all through the times ahead. Love to you all.
Cindie Chaise
January 22, 2019
I had the pleasure of working with Al as his Admin Assistant at the OFMEM. Before I started working for him, I asked some co-workers what Al was like. The most frequent descriptor was "gentleman" - and it was a truly apt description. Beyond that, he was supportive, encouraging, and had a great sense of humour, as well as too many other qualities to list. He is missed and will continue to be missed.
My deepest, deepest condolences to the Suleman family.
Yvette Bentley
January 22, 2019
Such an honor to work with Al! He was an absolute gentleman, always with a firm handshake and eye contact on a first meeting and he never forgot a name! He will always be remembered for his kind spirit and sense of humor. Al was a genuine soul with a heart of gold.
My condolences to Anisa, Sabrina and Adam. He has shared so many happy moments with us that we felt a part of your family.
May your happy memories with Al give you peace, May God grant you the strength to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Frank Lamie
January 22, 2019
My deepest condolences to the entire family. Anisha and Sabrina. As I said when we met in Niagara in Novemver Al was a great help to me when I was first promoted into Fire Prevention in North York. He was always available to answer any question I had and give me advice when ever needed. He was a true professional with no motive other than fire safety. Adam, I believe that your father was the best example of a gentleman that I ever met in the fire service. I am sure that example will do you well as you go through life.
I know Al will be missed, mostly by you, but I know that he is in a better place and the pain is over.
rose newell
January 22, 2019
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Suleman family. I will remember Al as kind and caring and smiling.Rest easy and in peace my friend. Rose Newell Ontario Fire College
Chris Williams
January 22, 2019
It was with great sadness that I learned of Al's passing.
Al was a true gentleman and a champion of public safety. His contributions to fire safety and the lives saved by his work will remain as his legacy.
I remain thankful to have worked alongside Al. He will be greatly missed.
Dawn Heath
January 22, 2019
Al was a truly wonderful father, husband, son and brother. He always talked about his family with love and pride in his voice. When my mother was ailing he would take time to chat with me on her progress and eventually her demise with so much care. A truly wonderful soul has left us but not without his mark on us. Our deepest condolences to Al's family. May his soul rest in peace. Amen
From Dawn and Arturo Heath
David Brockerville
January 22, 2019
Sincere condolences to Al's family. It was an absolute pleasure interacting with Al on committee work over the years, he was a true professional and will be missed by many.
Lisa M
January 22, 2019
Al personified excellence, gentility with a level of finesse that was second to none. I am very grateful that my work over the past two years includes the gift of Al. Rest in peace Al, your legacy is splendid and perpetual.
Chantelle Cosgrove
January 22, 2019
I was so deeply saddened to hear the news of Al's passing. Al was a mentor to me throughout my career in the fire service. I was always so eager to sit and have our discussions at meetings or conferences where he would always make it a point to stop and say hello. I worked very closely with Al as President of the OMFPOA. His insight and passion with respect to fire safety was so inspirational. He would always speak with so much joy and pride about his family. I will miss his smile and our discussions. Rest in peace Al.
Terry Jamieson
January 22, 2019
My condolences to Al's family. I had the privilege of meeting Al in my former job and interacting with him on numerous occasions. He was a true professional and a gentlemen--honour, integrity and respect come to mind.
Scott Evenden
January 22, 2019
The legacy Al has left on the OFM is unmatched by any words that can be written. I'll always remember Al for his kind and generous soul, it was an honour to call AL a colleague.
Wishing Al's family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
January 22, 2019
My sincere condolences to Al's family.
Al was a kind man and empathetic leader in OFMEM and he will be sadly missed.
Katrina Grantis
Pat Burke
January 22, 2019
My heartfelt condolences to Al's family in this time of grief. Al was a gentleman and a consummate professional who was respected by everyone he encountered. I will always remember his smile. Rest In Peace.
Pat Burke, Ontario Fire Marshal (retired)
January 22, 2019
I am deeply saddened to hear of Al Suleman's passing. He was a true professional, always kind, a true gentleman. Throughout my many years as a building official, I had many interactions with Al. He seemed always genuinely happy to speak to me and I learned so much from his breadth of knowledge in building and fire safety. I loved his story of setting his personal goals and succeeding (climbing Kilimanjaro). He was a real inspiration to me. I will sincerely miss him. My condolences to his family.
Lillyan McGinn,
City of Brampton
Angela John
January 22, 2019
Sincere condolences to the family grieving the immeasurable loss they suffer.
Matthew Osburn
January 22, 2019
On behalf of the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association members and staff we offer our condolences to the entire Suleman family in this difficult time. Al has left a lasting legacy in the Province of Ontario and the numerous changes and improvements he helped bring forward has made millions of Ontarian's safer today and into the future. He will be missed.
Sean Pearce
January 22, 2019
My sincere condolences, Al was a true gentleman in every sense and I am both fortunate and honored to have known him. God bless you Al
Steve Falk and family
January 22, 2019
With great sadness we remember Al's kindness, storytelling and laughter. Our deepest condolences to his family that he loved so much.
January 22, 2019
There are very few who spend their working lives in genuine service to others, and fewer yet whose legacy amounts to countless lives being saved. Through his tireless leadership, expertise and determination, Al lead the development of life-saving Fire Code, smoke alarm and CO alarm improvements that have, and will continue to save lives for years to come.
Al also lead much of the Vulnerable Occupancy legislation in Ontario - an achievement befitting of someone whose heart was as big as his expertise.
I will forever remember Al as a consummate professional and a genuine gentleman. Al always greeted me with a warm smile and a firm, welcoming handshake. He was an example of never-ending grace and calm.
I consider it an honour and privilege to have known and worked alongside Al Suleman.
On behalf of all of us at Toronto Fire Services, I extend my sincere condolences to Al's family, friends and colleagues. He will be sorely missed by us all.
Matthew Pegg
Fire Chief & General Manager
Toronto Fire Services
Bill Hawkins
January 21, 2019
My sincere condolences. Through our respective work and association Al be came a trusted colleague and friend. He is missed by myself and many others.
Rumina Velshi
January 21, 2019
My heartfelt condolences to Anisha and the rest of Afzal's family. Afzal provided invaluable insight on nuclear emergency management at CNSC hearings.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Sophie Almeida
January 21, 2019
Al was a very thoughtful and kind man, he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family. My deepest condolences.
January 21, 2019
I have met very few people in my life that have had the passion, integrity, compassion and professionalism that Al exuded. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him at the OFM and my many chats with him while seeking advice and assistance on Fire Code enforcement issues. Al's many contributions to the enhancement of fire safety for the residents of Ontario will live forever. My sincere condolences to his family on the loss of such a great man. He will live on in your many fond memories.
Tony Mintoff
Brian Maltby
January 21, 2019
I was deeply saddened to learn of Al's passing. I had the sincere honour of knowing and working with Al for several decades and always found him to be a true gentleman, with great integrity and exceptional knowledge. Al was a common sense sort of person and I had the utmost respect for him. I was proud to call Al a friend. I will miss him and his little grin.
Brian Maltby.
Deputy Fire Chief (Retired)
Brampton Fire and Emergency Services
Nasser-Hadi Velshi Keshavjee
January 21, 2019
We were very sad to hear of the passing of Afzal Suleman; Afzal's late mother and my late father were first cousins and very close friends throughout their lives. My wife and Afzal were also well-acquainted professionally(as engineers) and she always spoke highly of Afzal and his professionalism. May Almighty Allah grant Afzal eternal peace and also grant his entire family, especially his wife and children, strength to bear their immense loss.
Brenda Yarush
January 21, 2019
I was saddened to hear of Al's passing. We met in 1986 when we started our government careers with the City of Scarborough, and crossed paths many times through the years that followed. His caring, professional integrity and joy of life and family were always front and centre. He was a friend, colleague and inspiration to me through my career and I am grateful to have known him. My heartfelt condolences to Anisha and family and all those who will miss Al.
Kara Pocock
January 21, 2019
Anisha,
Our deepest sympathies to you, Adam, Sabrina and family, Our thoughts with you during this difficult time.
Kara and Chris Pocock
Joshy Kallungal
January 21, 2019
It is with great sorrow that I learned of al's departure from this world. I have known him ever since he joined OFM. He is truly a great human being and an accomplished professional engineer. He will be greatly missed. A truly great loss to our society.
I pray that god give his family the strength to deal with the loss. I am confident that you have many fond memories with him that you will cherish for a long time. May god bless his soul. May god bless your family in this time of grief.
Gord Weir
January 21, 2019
On behalf of all staff at Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, we thank Al for all his insight and dedication to the fire service over the years. We send our deepest condolences to his wife and family.
Sincerely,
Chief Gord Weir
michael binder
January 21, 2019
My deepest condolences to the whole family.
His contribution to the Emergency Management of Ontario Nuclear facilities, and his input to CNSC public hearings were invaluable.
Michele Farley
January 21, 2019
My deepest condolences for your loss and the loss of a great leader in fire safety. A continued steady guide throughout years of code changes and improvements. It was a privilege to know him.
Samantha Hoffmann
January 21, 2019
Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss. Al was a true gentleman that always went out of his way to make people feel appreciated and valued. A true loss to the fire service.
January 21, 2019
We are very sorry to hear of Al's passing. As members of the Fire Service, we are very aware of the significant contribution Al made to the safety of the residents all across Ontario, and very appreciative of his expertise, knowledge and kindness.
He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in these difficult times.
Keith Wells, Georgina Fire Department
Ted Ross
January 21, 2019
I was so sorry to learn of Al's death. I was a colleague of Al's on the Provincial Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes. Al was always well prepared, offering insight and helpful suggestions as a member of the Committee.
He stuck me as being a kind, personable, and thoughtful individual.
My deepest condolences to his wife children and and family.
Ted Ross
John Gignac
January 21, 2019
During the time I worked with Al he made me feel like I was the most important person even though he was in charge. I think Al was the most generous, loving, kind and professional person I have ever met. A true gentleman and a friend I will miss. Thankyou Al for your guidance.
Cengiz Kahramanoglu
January 21, 2019
I'm so sorry to hear of Al's passing. He was exceptionally good person, exceptionally good friend and exceptionally good professional. His work touched to all Ontarians and made their daily life safer.
My prayers and thoughts go out to his family at this time of sorrow.
Fire Chief Dave Guilbault
January 21, 2019
Al was an amazing gentleman who did so much for the Fire Service and this Province. We are all safer because of Al. We will miss him dearly! My deepest sympathy. God Bless!
Claudia Brabazon
January 21, 2019
I consider myself honoured to have worked as counsel to Al and the OFM. His integrity, strength, and wisdom provided me with guidance that I will forever carry with me. What a wonderful man.
Barney Owens
January 21, 2019
We are deeply saddened by the news of Al's passing following his courageous battle with cancer. A good friend and colleague, Al was a kind and gentle man offering his wonderfull sense of humour and positive spirit to all he encountered. He spoke proudly of his family and and their aspirations for the future. His influence on Public Safety will live on as he would remind us all of the need for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in our homes. In the last months of Al's battle with cancer, we spoke by phone a number of times and I was struck by his positive attitude and resilience in the face of his health challenges, a true role model for all. Al will be missed by so many and we have been blessed to have known such a fine man. Al climbed and conquered one of the tallest mountains in the world, what a feat, and was an example of what can be done when life's challenges face us head on. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al, his loving wife and family at this time. Gods speed my friend.
Rick Finnemore
January 21, 2019
I, too, first met Al when he worked for Scarborough. At that time I was (as was he) a much younger fire prevention officer, who was introduced to him as one who would examine certain plans prior to our department taking them on as part of our inspection duties.
Imagine my delight, when I was hired on to work for the Office of the Fire Marshal, to learn that Al Suleman had now become a colleague. I have very much appreciated, and been privileged, to have had Al Suleman as a professional friend.
I have added a now-favourite photo of perhaps the only time he and I were caught on camera together (which, as I recall, may have been the first time he had the opportunity to wear his official uniform in public).
To Al's family: Thank you for helping him to be the joy to others that he was (and still is)! Please accept my sincere condolences...
Rick Finnemore - Fire Protection Adviser, OFMEM
Lorie Campbell
January 21, 2019
I will remember Al for his strong, but gentle nature, as well as, that infectious smile of his.
Thoughts and prayers for all of Al's family and friends.
Richard Elsons
January 21, 2019
When I heard the news, it's sad and unexpectedly, he's gone. He always hello to staff every morning at OFMEM. He's very kind and thoughtful gentleman. I only assisted him when he had some trouble with his computer and his mobile device from 2014 to 2018 at OFMEM. My condolences to family of Suleman.
Teresa ermudez-Victoria
January 21, 2019
Sharing in your sadness as you remember Al. I hope you feel surrounded by much love.
Sherryll Walker
January 21, 2019
I'm so sorry to hear of Al's passing. He was always a kind, friendly and pleasant man. In my years with the OFM, he was always one of the easiest and most helpful people I worked with. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family at this time of sorrow. God bless.
Dave Nodwell
January 21, 2019
I want to express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Al. I worked for and with Al for several years. Al was a wonderful man. He was kind, gentle and his tremendous integrity was evident all the time. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.
Al was a mentor to me on another front. I was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago and Al was a tremendous support to me. Even when he was struggling with his own treatments, he was keen on finding out how I was and discussing my own treatment options. Most recently, in December, he was supportive and caring when i messaged him about my sister in law being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
I want you to know how much respect I had for Al and how important he was in my life. He will be missed. And remembered.
My thoughts will be with you and your family through this difficult time.
Tawnya Roberts
January 21, 2019
Anyone who worked with Al was impressed by his professionalism and dedication to really making a difference in people's lives; he will be missed and remembered by many.
Nadim Khan
January 21, 2019
Thank you Al for the support you provided whether as a manager, a mentor or as a friend. Your dedication to fire safety touched the lives of many Ontarians. You will be missed by all of us.
Rita Foulds
January 21, 2019
A true gentleman and an excellent colleague. Our work Family will miss you always.
May His Soul Rest in Peace.
January 21, 2019
It was sad to read about the passing of a wonderful and kind person as well as a professional acquaintance. Mr. Suleman and I worked together in the Technical Research and Consulting Services Department at the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office during the mid 1980's. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Suleman family for their loss. Robert De Berardis, P. Eng.
Barney and Bola Owens
January 21, 2019
We are deeply saddened by the news of Al's passing after his courageous battle with cancer. A true gentleman, wonderful colleague and friend we will miss his positive spirit, kindness and caring ways. Al's contribution to Public Safety will live on through the many and varied Fire Code regulations that he has influenced over his career. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al and his family at this difficult time. God's speed my friend!
Jim Chisholm
January 21, 2019
I worked with Al at the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management from 2011 to 2016. He was an important leader for Fire Protection Engineering. Under his energetic leadership important improvements in fire protection we made. The most important was the adding Section 9.7 to the Fire Code. It safeguarded vulnerable occupancies. Al's voice in Fire Protection Engineering will be missed. I will miss him as a friend.
Rebecca Hanson
January 21, 2019
I worked with Al at the OFMEM and found him to be a kind, thoughtful man. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Tim Moore
January 21, 2019
I first met Al when we both joined the City of Scarborough in the 1980's, and reconnected with him on Government business at the Building Advisory Council in 2010. Al was a supremely professional man, always thoughtful and kind, truly one of the finest gentlemen I ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with. I will miss him. I hope you will treasure many memories of your life with him.
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