Paul Singh Johal

October 12, 1935 - April 1, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

It is with immense sadness that the Johal family announces the passing of their family patriarch Paul Johal.

Paul was born in Lahore, India on October 12, 1935 to Sadhu Singh Johal and Gurdave Kaur Johal.

Paul Johal's family history in the city of Langford and Vancouver Island goes back to the turn of the 20th century when his grandfather immigrated to Canada and found work in Todd Inlet in the Butchart family's Limestone quarry.

Paul himself came to Canada as a 15-year-old child and after a few months of school to grade 8 he started working. He was a very proud 88-year-old brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He has watched and has been a part of the transformation of Langford.

His dedication to creating a better life saw him work in various sawmills, until he started Pacific Tractor Services which would become Paul Johal Trucking, established in 1968. This company has been run by his son Rick Johal since 1994.

Paul also established PND Construction LTD now known as PND Soil and Gravel, which was incorporated in the early 1990s. Both of Paul Johal's sons Rick and Nirmal have run the company hand in hand with their father since then.

After living in Victoria for many years, in 1970, Paul Johal and his wife Jeet bought a 10 acre plot of land in Langford and built the house that they have lived in ever since. Together they ran a business and raised three children; their sons Rick and Nirmal and Daughter Jesse. Today, three generations of the family are involved in the running of the collective businesses.

Paul's "get-er-done" attitude was as strong now as it was when he first set foot in Canada as a 12 year old. He was raised with a very strong moral compass, a voracious tenacity for life and an incredible work ethic. All of these things combined to help him establish a business which now through his sons and grandsons has mushroomed into multiple businesses employing more than 20 people.

He has passed on this desire to succeed, his determination to build a better life and his lifelong dedication to building a better community to his ever growing family.

Paul is survived by his wife Jeet of 65 years, his sons Rick Johal and his wife Harjit, Nirmal Johal and his wife Janet, his daughter Jesse Rai, as well as seven grandchildren, (Nicole Johal, Nathan Johal, Nick Johal, Austin Johal, Nira Johal, and Rajan Rai along with his wife Amardeep) and one great grandchild, Amaria Rai.

As his family says, everything we have today is because of what he established and handed down to each and every one of us.

Langford was not just his home but his family. Paul's dedication to Langford is further reflected in his over half century of quiet giving as well as his donations to multiple charities and organizations. Paul has ensured that his children and grandchildren know the importance of giving back to the place they all call home.

He never did things for the sake of recognition. He simply took heart in knowing that he was making a difference in the lives of others.

He was living history connecting what Langford was, with what Langford has become and strives to be.

The light in this world dimmed

with his passing. May he rest in peace.

The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Victoria Hospital Foundation.

In Loving Memory of Paul Singh Johal

October 12 1935 - April 1 2024

Funeral Service at McCall Gardens Sequoia Center Royal Oak 4645 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC

Monday April 8, 2024 at 10am

Sehaj Path Bhog & Antim Ardas

(Prayer and Lunch) to follow at Khalsa Diwan Society Victoria Gurdwara, 1210 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC