Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 and

Syed Hameed Ahmad

Syed Hameed Ahmad was born in 1939 (March 07) in Delhi India, as the son of Dr. Syed Shafi Ahmed Sahib Muhaqqiq Dehlvi (Companion of the Promised Messiah AS) and Begum Shafi Ahmed. His parents ran a textile dyeing factory and a newspaper. He and his family moved to Lahore, Pakistan during Partition in 1947, arriving on a train riddled with bullets and corpses, surviving in part due to the courage of his mother. A highly educated man, he received a B.A. (1958), LL.B. (1960) and M.A. in history (1961) from the University of Punjab, and also won a highly prestigious Commonwealth Fellowship for a year’s study abroad at Queen’s University in Canada. Upon his return, he entered the Pakistani Civil Service on the strength of his outstanding academic results and served in various high profile roles during the course of his career from 1963 to 1976, including Magistrate, Assistant Commissioner, and secretary to the Government of Punjab. In 1964, he married Tahira Raja, and they had three children: Fayeza Dawood (b. 1967), Umar Syed (b. 1969), and Talha Syed (b. 1972). Following a tragic car accident in which his wife Tahira was killed, he remarried in 1974 to Qurat ul Ain (Annie) Mirza, with whom he had two more children: Yasir Syed (b. 1975) and Tahira Syed (b. 1982).

In 1977, he emigrated with his family to Canada in the face of increased state persecution against Ahmadis. Acquiring citizenship in 1980, he courageously forged a new life for his family in very challenging circumstances, braving economic difficulties and career obstacles. A pioneer in persuading the Alberta Bar Association to give partial accreditation to his Pakistani legal education (a first), he attended one year at the University of Alberta law school to complete his LL.B. and gain admission to the Alberta Bar. He then moved his family to Camrose, Alberta where he became a successful lawyer and flourishing member of the community, as a named partner in the firm Gaede, Fielding, Syed, and Smith and serving multiple terms as a member of the Camrose County School Board, eventually becoming its Chairperson. In 2006, he received the extremely notable distinction of being named Queen’s Counsel, and in 2011, he retired.

A very devout Ahmadi and a Mousi, he was Qazi Jamaat Islamabad from 1972-1975 and was appointed the first President of the Calgary Jamaat by Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmed, Khalifatul Masih III and was instrumental in the acquisition of that Jamaat’s first property in Calgary. He was also appointed to the Qaza Board Canada by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmed, Khalifatul Masih IV and served in the capacity for 10 years.

A grandfather of six (Suleman, Amaan, and Osmaan Dawood; Jaya Mapara and Aavi Fast; and Misha Seiji Syed), he was an extremely beloved man by his family and friends. Well known for being the best teller of stories and jokes in the khandan, he was legendary for his gregarious personality and presence at any gathering. An avid life-long traveler, he took his family on trips spanning five continents. He was also a passionate and competitive bridge player, achieving Grand Life Master status. His last days were in the loving and generous care of his son-in-law Masaf Dawood and his daughter Fayeza. He passed on to his kids an infectious love of life and family and will be missed terribly and remembered fondly and forever.

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Gloria Fay Johns

December 30, 1942 ~ September 18, 2022

Gloria Fay Johns of Camrose, AB, formerly of Swan Hills, AB, passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at the age of 79 years. Left to cherish her memory are her children Charles “Billy” Johns (Jen Weinrich) of Edmonton, Laura Lee Johns Malley of Leduc; grandchildren Tabatha Weiting (Aaron DeJong), Jessee Lee Johns (Sulton Tirmizi), Bailey Levi Johns Malley (Scott MacTavish), Chyanne Cabello Johns (Stephon), and Hunter Johns; one great-grandson; and siblings Dwayne Anderson of Edmonton, Jim (Marion) Anderson of Camrose, and Belva Kendrick of Edmonton.

Gloria was predeceased by her daughter Roxy Johns Carlson; parents Murray and Amy Anderson; sister Beulah Anderson; and the father of her children, Charles.

As per Gloria’s request, no formal service will be held.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Central Alberta Humane Society, or to the Alberta SPCA.

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