A respected local centenarian and pioneer, with strong ties to both Mission and Abbotsford, passed away at his residence in Abbotsford at the age of 100 on Jan. 20.
Paul Singh Dhaliwal came to Canada from Punjab, India in 1932. He travelled to Abbotsford and lived with an uncle. Dhaliwal started working at a lumber camp in Green Lake, outside of Squamish, eventually working in mills in Duncan, New Westminster and Vancouver.
At that time, Dhaliwal had been participating in local wrestling matches and eventually he began to train professionally. In 1945, after being spotted by a promoter, he toured throughout the United States and locally. This endeavour culminated in a professional wrestling contract, and a scout from Hollywood spotted Dhaliwal and wanted him to try out for a movie role.
But in 1947, Dhaliwal learned his mother was ill and he returned to India for a few years. While there he married Mohinder Kaur, and returned to Mission.
He started a trucking business, Paul Bros. The business was situated in Mission flats, and changed names to Mission Fuel Ltd.
Mohinder arrived in 1950, and they raised six children in Mission.
Dhaliwal delivered fuel to many families in the local area, and as the need for wood and sawdust as home fuel began to drop, he started to work as an independent trucker, eventually retiring in 1998 at the age of 84.
Over the years, Dhaliwal has been presented with the Order of Abbotsford, citizen of the year and has been recognized by the National Historic Gur Sikh Temple and the Khalsa Diwan Society for his contributions.
Predeceased by Mohinder Kaur, his wife of 62 years, he is survived by his six children, Vicky (Chris), Baljeet, Surindar, Kamala (Jack), Paul Jr. and Robin (Jim) and seven grandchildren, Erin, Dustin, Charissa, Jenna, Michelle, Nathan and Bradley.
Funeral services will be held at Fraser River Funeral Home (2061 Riverside Rd.), in Abbotsford at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25. It will be followed by prayer services at the Mission Gur Sikh Temple (32086 Lougheed Highway), in Mission at 5 p.m.
