What is your first memory of Gautam? Share a favorite memory you have of Gautam. Tell us about a special moment you shared with Gautam. Describe a time when Gautam made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about Gautam? Talk about a shared experience you had with Gautam. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Gautam. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Gautam. What is something you learned from Gautam?

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Obituary

Guest Book

Gautam HOOJA Obituary

Published by Monteal Gazette from Jul. 18 to Aug. 3, 2015.

HOOJA, Gautam
1946 - 2015
Montreal, QC: Gautam Hooja died peacefully with friends at sunset on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Thanks to close friends, Carol Lynn Pass, Wm. James and the conscientious CLSC Metro team (Dr. Piche and Maude), Gautam remained home up to his leave-taking. Doctors Metrakos, Asselah, Kavan, Kopek and staff are to be commended for doing the utmost within the existing cancer-care system. Visits by overseas cousins Dr. Anuradha Sayal-Bennett and Dr. Madhu Singh had exceptional meaning. Son of GBK and Vimla Hooja of Jaipur, Gautam attended St. Xaviers, Jaipur, Rajastan, India, Mayo College 1962, St. Stephens 1965 and Delhi School of Economics, 1967. Among friends at St. Stephens was future internationally-acclaimed film director Shekar Kapur. Gautam completed undergraduate studies and his MBA at the University of Toronto and was commended by Marshall McLuhan for a study on Tantric Art. From 1970 Gautam worked for the Bank of Canada, culminating as head of Foreign Exchange in Montreal. Free to pursue a lifelong passion following early retirement in 1992, Gautam established Indo-Canadian Films International to strengthen links between Canada and Asia through the medium of film. He executive- produced 1st Bite (2006, Director Hunt Hoe) and associate-produced Canadian Manners of Dying (2004, Director Jeremy Peter Allen) and Seducing Maarya (1999, Director Hunt Hoe). A respected presence at international film festivals, he served as movie correspondent for Pragati in Montreal and major Indian newspapers. He assisted the Canadian High Commission in Delhi to mount cultural outreach programs, including the annual Canadian Arts Festival at India International Center, Delhi. He was an unceasing advocate for the India Canada Audiovisual Co-production Agreement finally ratified February, 2014. Gautam adopted Montreal and Westmount as home with annual visits to family and friends in Delhi, including Rajiv and Poornima Jain. An environmental advocate, he defended the integrity of Westmount Park, opposing artificial turf and querying the construction of major hockey rinks. Gautam is survived by his son Agastya; good friend Carol Pass; brothers Ravi (Rani) and Arun of Jaipur; nieces Ritu (Vikram Shandley) and Rashi (Gautam Kumar); their children Naman, Nehul, Kushi, Suhass; and extended family and dear friends Ian, Nathan, James, Sahra, Conchita, Gobi, Patrick, Bob, Dave, Sir Haim Oiseau and all whose lives he enriched. The director has departed the set and the play proceeds … Aficionados of Indo-Canadian Films and friends and family of Gautam Hooja are invited to join together to commemorate his life and legacy, on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, in Montreal. For details, kindly write to [email protected]

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Gautam HOOJA's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

December 2, 2024

Agastya Jayden Hooja posted to the memorial.

October 5, 2024

Gail Kendall posted to the memorial.

May 31, 2024

Agastya jaden hooja posted to the memorial.

13 Entries

Agastya Jayden Hooja

December 2, 2024

Gail Kendall

October 5, 2024

Dear Agastya,
Welcome to the site. I met your father in London in July 1967. We hung out in London for three months and then travelled overland to India together (when you could). We arrived in New Delhi in early November where I stayed with your great grandparents for about a month. I met your dad's aunts and uncles in New Delhi, his parents and brother in Jaipur and his uncle Satish Dhawan in Bangalore.
They were such kind, generous and smart people! They has such an impact on my life.
If you wish to talk to me about your father, please email me at [email protected].
It would be lovely to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Gail Kendall

Agastya jaden hooja

May 31, 2024

hi im agastya hooja gautams son im 11 now and im at school So rise high dad

Renanah Gemeiner

December 22, 2015

To Gautam's Friends and Family,
I am Carole's cousin and was able to know Gautam over many years. He was always very kind to me and made me feel so appreciated. I know that Carole gave him so much love and care and that he and she loved and love Agustya with all their heart and souls. I'm so sorry that I did not get to see you Gautam when I was in Montreal last as you were not feeling up to yet another visitor, but we were able to speak on the phone. And then I was in Israel during the commemorative gathering and I am so sorry I did not get to meet your family and friends. I look forward to meeting your son.
I wish you peace and love and everything good for your family and especially your son!
Sincerely,
Renanah Gemeiner

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Ryan Levey

August 28, 2015

Gautam was a wonderful festival compadre and industry ally. Kind, warm, funny and honest. I'm sad to have missed the celebration of life, but will raise a glass in honor of him. FFM will not be the same without his glorious presence.

August 26, 2015

I met Hooj in Montreal in 1984; we were living in the same building on Peel St. We kept in constant touch even after I left Montreal and met each other in New York City and upon my visits to Montreal with my daughters. Gautam had an amazing sense of humor and a great zest for life. His most amazing "feat" as he put it, was his son - the love of his life. I will miss our email interactions on US politics, life and philosophy. I only learnt of his battle with his illness in January of this year, and prayed that he would beat it as he did every battle in life. Hooj will be greatly missed and he is a sad loss to all those who knew him
Shamila Behal Nayar (Shams, as he called me)
San Antonio, Texas

Gail Kendall nee Hounsom

August 22, 2015

I met Gautam in July of 1967.He was visiting his friend Shekhar Kapur who was sharing an apartment with my friend in London.
For two months we explored London together and then set off on the adventure of a lifetime, travelling overland from London to New Delhi (actually Gautum was forced to fly to Amritsar from Kabul). There were many times when he protected me from all manner of things as we made our way through France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan
We met up again in New Delhi where I stayed with his grandparents and ultimately met all the wonderful, warm, brilliant, accomplished members of his family.They could not have been more hospitable
In July 1968, I waved good-bye to him as I began my return journey to Europe and Canada.In October '68 he called me from New Delhi to ask me to pick him up at the airport in Toronto, as he had been accepted into the MBA program at U. of T. I was able to return some of his family's hospitality by having him stay with my family.
Gautam was only 20 when I met him (a younger man), but I was struck by his brilliance, knowledge and competence in all things.He could reference modernity, European and American history, literature, philosophy and art, both ancient and current.
And when we spent time together in India, I realized that he also could access a 2000 year old past, linguistically, culturally and philosophically. He was generous enough to introduce me to his Indian world. Time spent with him, and travel in India have had the most profound effect on my life. Both changed me, and affected my world view.
But of course Gautam was nothing if not creative, curious and up for a challenge. So you will not be surprised to learn that three months after his arrival in Canada, I had him up in Collingwood, teaching him how to ski. And as you would have guessed he did well! He was skiing after his first try. (Of course he wore blue jeans that first time, and they were frozen stiff as a board.....He never complained.)
I have always thought about him over the years and have often gone to his website. I did that this afternoon as I was intending to call him when I went to Montreal. I'm so sorry for your loss.
His early passing was is a loss for us all. What an extraordinary man.

David Lachance

August 19, 2015

I was shocked to learn of Gotham's passing . I remember my talks with him vividly while he was still at the Bank of Canada.He was a lover of life , a peaceful and happy person who no one could find any fault with .After many years we met for a coffee in the summer of 2012 and he had not changed a bit. He will be missed

Sandra Chitayat

July 20, 2015

Gotham was an original character. That is why we warmed up to him. Agastya will be two on August 26, 2015. He left us a beautiful remnant, a funny little fellow by which to remember his lively, creative self. Energy is never lost, only unceasingly and unendingly transformed. His soul leaves on. Shalom le rahok, vekarov Shalom Haver, to paraphrase Bill Clinton. Gotham was Haver to a lot of good people. B"H.

Borghild Joa

July 18, 2015

A kind friend for 30 years....you will be missed. Rest in peace.

July 18, 2015

You have been a ind friend for 30 years....will be missed

Maya Khankhoje

July 18, 2015

Gautam will be remembered for his unfailing courtesy and discretion and his love of Westmount Park. He leaves behind Agastya, a lovely child who has earned the love of his devoted nannies Ana and Daniela and all those who met father and son.