Dirpaul Ramkissoon

It is with much love and sadness that the family of Dirpaul Ramkissoon announce his peaceful passing at home on May 8, 2024 at the age of 94. Dirpaul was predeceased by his parents Ram and Gurjatti Kissoon and his 8 siblings. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Angeline, his daughters Anji (Joe) and Indi (Rob) and granddaughters Amiya and Nali, along with many beloved nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. He had a special relationship with brothers-in-law Bunny and Vin, who came to Canada and lived with the family in their younger years. He was a family man who never missed an opportunity to boast about the successes and academic achievements of his loved ones.

Dirpaul was an educator, starting his career in Trinidad at a young age as a pupil teacher before coming to Canada in 1959 as a student where earned a B.A., Cert. Ed., B.Ed., and Pre-Masters from the University of Manitoba. In Canada, he taught in Poplar Field before moving to Winnipeg to teach senior high school English. He was well respected by students, families, colleagues and administrators. His impact was far reaching, inspiring students and others to seek higher learning and intellectual challenges.

He retired in 1987 and continued his life-long love of words by reading poetry and literature and continuing to learn about old and new works, building a library of over 1,000 titles. He was always ready to discuss different books, their themes, and their historical relevance, but also loved to engage in discussion on world events, history, politics, or religion. He is still thought of as a walking encyclopedia, he had remarkable ability to recall details of time and events and could always craft a compelling lesson on the topic at hand.

Dirpaul developed a passion for gardening, he was well known for his rose bed of more than 40 plants. He spent many days tending to roses, which were to be enjoyed in their element, and never cut to enjoy inside. He appreciated the finer things in life, knowing how to set a proper table was important, and being able to lay out a fine tea was essential. He spent many years collecting various teacups, china and silver sets, knowing that he would always be able to present the right items for seasonal and special occasions.

Up until his last days, he was active around the house, tending to daily activities unexpected for a man of his age. He lived a long, and full life, enjoying all of the things that were most important to him.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 17, 2024 at 10:00 am at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg, MB

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Canadian Diabetes, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or Assiniboine Park, where he spent many leisure hours as a newcomer to Winnipeg.

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die – Thomas Campbell