Akbar HAJI

HAJI, Akbar
July 3, 1938 - June 10, 2016
After a courageous five-year battle with lung cancer, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Akbar (son of Count Haji Ladha Chatu), who was surrounded by his family, on Friday afternoon in the Palliative Care Unit at VGH. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the outstanding team of professionals in this unit in addition to Dr. Janessa Laskin and to Dr. Marsha Santerre for their outstanding level of care. Akbar was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Haji (nee Mohamed) (2002). He is survived by his sons Deenu (Ravena) and Tarek (Nobuko); his grandsons Hiroki, Takuya and Jhelum; and by his favourite nephew Navroz (Salma) of Santa Monica. Akbar is also survived by his loving wife, Ivonne Quezada, whom he married in 2010; stepson Rod (Cathy); grandchildren Ethan, Lucas and the youngest Sophia, with whom he shared a special connection. Akbar was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the youngest of three brothers and two sisters. He was sent to a boarding school in Norfolk, East Anglia when he was nine, and years later he met and married his wife Mary and they began raising their young sons in London SW2. ln August 1973 they chose to move to Canada. He and Mary worked very hard to support their family and Akbar tried his hand at several jobs before beginning his own business. Broadway Tax Services was located at 3129 West Broadway, underneath the marquee of the old Hollywood Theatre, and this is where Akbar developed many wonderful friendships with his many loyal clients. Funeral Services will be held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana, located at 6556 Sprott Street, Burnaby on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. As Ramadan is being observed this month, there will not be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC.