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Chandra Balan Kumar Menon
July 24, 1936 – December 15, 2023
Chandra Balan Kumar Menon passed away peacefully in his 88th year, surrounded by his family.
A beloved husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, Balan was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India to parents Kumara Padma Chandrasekhara Menon and Elizabeth Christina Day. The third of five children, he was a doting brother, animal lover, and voracious reader. He graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Thiagarajar College in 1957 and obtained a temporary teaching position in the department of English. Afterwards, at Annamalai University, Balan enrolled in an M.A. English program and was soon elected president of the student union. Here, he flourished and discovered a passion for education. He graduated in 1961 with a first class Master’s degree and was appointed as a Lecturer in English at the university.
In 1962, Balan married Uma Devi Nair, his life-long love and soulmate. Soon after, they moved to Canada, where he was vice-principal of a high school in New Brunswick. Balan and Uma eventually settled in idyllic Chatham, Ontario, where they built a home with their four children and lived for many years. Balan would go on to become an English teacher, head of the English department, vice-principal, and principal in various institutions. During this time, he obtained a Master’s in Education from Wayne State University in Michigan, USA. His work as an educator took him across Canada, including to northern Ontario, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. As Director of Education in various First Nations and Inuit communities, he was deeply committed to education reform. He and Uma also made time to travel regularly to India and around the globe. He finally retired in Peterborough, Ontario at the age of 80.
Balan’s love of literature remained steady throughout his life. He wrote three books: Living Happiness, Eternally Yours, and recently an autobiography, The Divinity that Shapes our Life. He contributed to the English translation of a number of Tamil books and papers by esteemed authors. He was particularly fond of Shakespeare and P.G. Wodehouse, often quoting them to his children and grandchildren. He was a joyful soul, despite the hardships of his childhood, and positive-minded, with a brilliant wit and infectious sense of humour. He had a love of storytelling, mimicking the voices of different characters, much to his grandchildren’s delight. His gentle demeanour, constant smile, and optimistic attitude inspired the same in all those who met him. Balan opened his heart and home to many over the years, in a spirit of generosity which he embodied throughout his life. He cared deeply for his family and wide circle of friends, helped them whenever he could, and tried to ensure that every one of them felt loved and appreciated.
Balan is survived by his devoted wife Uma; daughters Malini, Geetha (Somi), and Shanthi (Ajay), and son Gopi Krishna (Rebecca); grandchildren Eric (Larissa), Maya, Evan, Anjali, Liam, and Kieran; and siblings Krish (late Nina) and Sheila (Dwarka). He is predeceased by siblings Gopi (late Patricia) and Janaki (late Khaiser).
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the medical staff involved in his cancer treatment. The palliative care nurses at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre were like angels to Balan and he was immensely grateful for their compassion and attentive care.
A private family service was held.
* * *
Above all, of this Truth I assure you:
I have not left you,
for I can never die, being soul,
and I shall for ever be beside you
and you beside me.
Our Love shall live for ever
for our love
is the stuff
of Immortality!
C.B.K. Menon
Friday December 15th 2023
Death notice for the town of: Peterborough, Province: Ontario
death notice Balan Menon Friday December 15th 2023
obituaries notice Balan Menon Friday December 15th 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Balan Menon Friday December 15th 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.