Our children continue their higher studies:
- Éric
completed his BA and MSc in Urbanism at the Université de Montréal, then
Civil Law at the Ottawa University
- Sunita
completed her BA in Music Performance at the Ottawa University, then Civil
and Common Law at the Ottawa University
- Marc
completed his BSC in Mechanical Engineering at the Ottawa University, his
MSc in Management Science at the Waterloo University, and International
MBA in Singapore, France and USA.
2. Piko and the Dogs Who
Loved Us
Our home was also filled with animal
companions. After André’s retirement, Éric gifted us Piko, our intelligent,
loyal Border Collie. Although I did not like dogs at first, Piko melted my
heart. He waited for us at the door, leapt with joy when we returned, protected
us, and became a true member of the family. André was his master, and I
secretly gave him treats when André wasn’t looking. Piko understood perfectly.
Later, Éric’s dogs, Abigaël and Barrak,
Sunita’s Kiki, and Shobha’s Moka became our loved ones visited us often. They
brought warmth, joy, and life to our home.
 |
| Front from left: Barak, Abigaël, Moka Back: Kiki |
3. Sunday Potins: A Chronicle
of Love and Family
Since 2001, André has been writing his Sunday
Potins every single week—faithfully, lovingly—sending it to our children,
grandchildren, and extended family. These writings record family events,
health, celebrations, reflections on world affairs, spirituality, politics, and
memories of his childhood. These “Potins” are keeping our family connected
across distances and generations. They are now printed in volumes and saved on
pen drives—a treasured piece of our shared legacy.
These “Potins” are keeping our family connected across distances and generations. They are now printed in volumes and saved on pen drives—a treasured piece of our shared legacy.
4. AFDA (Au Fil Des Ans): A
Gift of Love in Nature
In 2010, we purchased AFDA (Au Fil Des Ans — ANdré & ANgel), a
beautiful lakeside property, mainly because André wished for a place of quiet
reflection close to nature. Though it was not something I desired initially, I
agreed out of love. André found great peace there—walking, meditating, reading,
observing nature.
The entire family gathered often, and in time
we built a second small house to accommodate everyone. But later, as André’s
health needed more stability and as children’s interests evolved, selling AFDA
became necessary. Though sold at a loss, we never regretted it—it was a chapter
of love, family, and serenity.
 |
| AFDA |
5. Shobha and Manohar: Love Across Generations
 |
| Jonathan—Aunty Angel—Shobha—Jessica—Manohar |
In 2003, our niece Shobha came to Canada, studied, worked, and built her family with Manohar, raising Jonathan and Jessica. For us, she is like a fourth child—a daughter of our hearts. She continues our mission at SOPAR as an employee and later as SOPAR’s director with devotion and skill.
Among the blessings that life gave us, Shobha’s
presence has been precious.
6. The Legacy of Our Children
Our greatest joy is our children: Éric, Sunita,
Marc, and, later, with Shobha, each carrying within them the values we lived
and taught.
December 27, 2003, Éric married Renée. Together
they have three children: Emmanuel, Pascal and Marie-Louise. On September 1,
2007, Marc married Natalie. Together they have two children: Samuel and Sara.
Sunita and Magda were officially recognized as wife and husband during a family
gathering in India, on January 27, 2014.
Our home has always been a welcoming, vibrant
place where we gather as a family 10–12 times a year: Christmas, Easter,
Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays. For decades André prepared
most of the meals; later each family brought dishes, and the children cleaned
and reset the house with joy.
The bonds between the siblings, their partners,
and their children hold our family together. We consider ourselves truly
blessed that the family remains so closely united, supportive, and
loving.
We raised them with unconditional love,
discipline, and presence. They grew under our eyes—studying, practicing music,
striving in their fields, becoming strong, thoughtful adults. Today all of them
are settled, anchored in values, and living near us—a blessing beyond measure.
7. Journeys Near and Far
Our life was rich with travel—New York,
Florida, British Columbia, Croatia, Hungary, Paris, Greece, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Laos, and many others. With our children we visited
Nepal, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and the Netherlands.
Our visits to India, especially to Bala Vikasa, were numerous and meaningful. Together or individually, we traveled repeatedly for our mission, meeting communities, donors, partners, and staff, guiding and training, carrying the message of people-centered development wherever we went.
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