It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Vinay Kumar Dey (March 7th, 1941-March 28, 2022). He was son of the late Surendra Nath Dey and Nirupama Dey (Bose), and husband to the late Nirmal Dey (Sharma). He is survived by his daughter, Sujata (Jeff) and son, Anil and by his brother, Santosh and sister, Bhakti Dutta. Mr. Dey passed away in Montréal after fighting COVID and a secondary infection surrounded by loved ones.
Mr. Dey was a compassionate father, brother, family man, and community leader. Born in Orai, India, the youngest of ten children, he was a proud Lucknow Bengali. He immigrated to Canada in 1970, where he married his beloved, Nirmal. He lived in New Delhi, Golden, Revelstoke, Nelson, Montréal and Calgary. Mr. Dey spent his career at Canadian Pacific Railway, first in the yards and then in the account’s office, and finally as EAP counsellor. Active in the union movement, he was eventually elected to the national union executive of the Transportation Communications Union (now amalgamated with the Steelworkers).
Not content to be an accountant or retiree, Mr. Dey was a social justice activist and community builder. Named as one of 2003 Maclean’s Magazine’s “10 Canadians who make a difference”, he ran numerous times for the NDP. He selflessly assisted other people, and he felt most at home helping others. He was chiefly involved with the Calgary Council of Indo Canadian Associations and the Southern Alberta Heritage Language Association, the Bangladesh Lions Club, International Avenue Arts and Culture Community, Amra Sabai, Results Canada, and many more organizations. He was a passionate advocate of many causes, including anti-racism, multilingual education and combatting poverty. He often volunteered as well as worked with charities and non-profits into his final year. Passionate about cultures and respectful of different faiths, he was an avid traveller, and in his final years, hung out with his children in Japan, South Korea, and Cuba. Determined to keep his large extended family united, he dreamed of having a large family reunion in India, a dream which didn’t materialize.
5 Comments
Dear Sujata n Anil,
He was indeed a great soul, much loved mama (uncle). Always helpful. My prayers and pronam to the departed soul.
Vinay Dey was a gentleman and a friend to almost everyone. I came to know Vinay through his involvement in the union and he sat on the national executive council where we became fast friends and I enjoyed many hours socializing and perhaps arguing at times as Vinay would like to stir the pot on the odd occasion.
Vinay and Devon Byfield and I were the three musketeers and Vinay was the little guy and Devon was the big 6/6 guy and I was the intermediary and often referee as they would debate pretty much anything.
Vinay was a family man through and through and mourned the passing of his wife and loved his kids and was always offered direction and advice whether the kids wanted it if not . It was always well intentioned mind you and he had persuasive attributes to help people find the light.
I was able to visit with Vinay the summer before covid and we toured around Calgary and the country side just like old times and he rarely got off the phone as he was sharing his wisdom and answering questions from what I could describe as his national hot line. He had not skipped a beat and was as active as ever .
I last spoke to Vinay on his birthday briefly and we were to talk soon. I wished him well and do so again in spirit .
Please accept my sincere condolences to the family and friends which there are many and It is an honour to have called him my friend .
Vinay, we will miss your insight into any contemporary topic of discussion we have had over the years in Calgary or in Mississauga. Thanks for your kindness to all those who sought your wisdom. Rest In Peace Vinay.
Our heartfelt condolences to Vinay’s family and friends. Rest in peace Vinay.
Vinayda was our dada in Calgary and touched our hearts with his selfless assistance to so many of us. May his soul rest in peace. We will miss you Vinayda very dearly!