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Former Squamish councillor Raj Kahlon dies

Kahlon was renowned as the first traditional Sikh elected as a city councillor in Canada
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In Memoriam: Raj Kahlon, is being mourned throughout Squamish.

A local man renowned for becoming the first traditional Sikh elected as a city councillor in Canada has died.

Raj Kahlon, who was first elected to Squamish council in 1999, died on Dec. 3 from cancer.

On Tuesday night in municipal council chambers, where he had been re-elected twice, councillors acknowledged his death.

"Condolences are coming widespread throughout the community," said Coun. Eric Andersen.

"After a fierce battle with cancer, our beloved, intelligent, adventurous, fun-loving, tough-as-nails, soft-hearted father, Sardar Rajinder Singh Kahlon, passed away," reads a statement from the Kahlon family released Tuesday.

"There will never be another like our father; he will be missed deeply and loved forever."

In addition to serving as an elected official, Kahlon was an accomplished businessman.

The former owner of True Value Hardware was named  Businessperson of the Year in 1998 and Citizen of the Year in 2000.

He was also a prominent voice for tolerance.

In a 2012 interview with The Chief, he shared that he experienced discrimination for his religion and appearance since arriving in Canada in 1971.

For instance, a mine supervisor in Grande Cache, Alta., refused to interview Kahlon for a job because he was wearing a turban.

Still,  Kahlon professed a deep love for Canada and Squamish.

That feeling appears to be mutual — upon hearing of his death, hundreds have expressed their sympathies for Kahlon on social media.

"He was a great guy and always willing to help out other businesses even if they were competitors," reads a comment from Kerry Brown.

"Raj was a great guy," Colin Mccarthy said on Facebook. "My father, Dennis really enjoyed doing business with your family at the hardware store when he operated Squamish Plumbing. I was a young buck and learned from their relationship. Our condolences to your family."

"He was such a wonderful man," reads a comment from Sonja Addis. "It was such a privilege getting to grow up next door to him and your family."

"He was known for his loving kindness, infectious smile and considerate nature," said Hardeep Dhillon. "A man of great compassion. He left a legacy of kindness, love and generosity to those who knew him."

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