We will miss Rtn Oberoi

I was travelling when I received the shocking SMS from Secy Rtn. Dr. Paramjit Singh about the loss of our dear friend Rtn. J.S. Oberoi. We will miss his broad smile, a strong shakehand, with his perennial greetings "Hor Bhape kee haal ne?". I reproduce here the obituary penned by Rtn. A P Singh :

The news of the sudden and sad demise of our fellow Rotarian J S Oberoi on 14th Septeber, 2009 came as a shock to all of us. He was hale and hearty and attended the Monday meeting not so long ago, hence the disbelief in the fact that he is no more amongst us. The rotary family has lost a wonderful Rotarian. Fellow members and friends remember him as an excellent Rotarian, always immaculately dressed, jovial, open minded, always smiling, an excellent host, a keen golfer, a successful businessman and a loving family man.

Rtn. J S Oberoi, lovingly addressed as Jaggi Bhapa by his friends, joined rotary in 1964 in Ambala. A Paul Harris Fellow, Rtn. Oberoi joined Rotary Club Chandigarh when he shifted to Chandigarh thereby continuing his relation with Rotary till the day he passed away. He was always associated with the Club’s projects and would invariably be the first one to raise his hand whenever any appeal for any contributions towards projects was made from the podium during meetings. I remember his last contribution towards the medicines for the mega medical camp held at Colony no. 5 about a month back.

He was born on 11th of December 1926,and after his formal education he got married to Raminder Ji,on 2nd of March 1951. She belonged to a very known family of Ambala city .He initiated his career as a transporter. He owned several oil tankers to transport oil of Indian Oil company from Ambala Depot to various destinations in Punjab and J&K. He also owned petrol pumps in Ambala and Chandigarh.

Rtn. Oberoi enjoyed life to the fullest, throwing parties and relishing good fellowship. A keen golfer, he had the distinction of having achieved a hole in one. Rtn. Oberoi is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son.

He did not accept any official position in Rotary but he was a true Rotarian as far as the concept of Service to others is concerned. Rtn KK Gupta fondly remembered him and shared important information about his life and family. Maj. B M Singh says he will miss a wonderful person, full of beans. Manmohan ji remembers how Rtn Oberoi will always address him as “Hi Handsome”. He would keep calling me “Secretary General” even though I had ceased to be the secretary of the Club. Standing at the cremation ground during the funeral of Rtn. J S Oberoi, everyone said one thing in chorus,”What a great human being…We will miss him deeply”. May God bless his soul.