People / Spotlight
Tributes paid to Sikh community leader
Bapu Hazara Singh Sathi, known by his friends and family as Bapu Gee, lived an extraordinary life.
Born in a village in present-day Pakistan, he spent time in a prisoner of war camp while serving in the Indian army, was an undefeated wrestling champion and counted England’s 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks as a personal friend.
As a member of the Sikh community, Bapu Gee was a bastion of the South West community and further afield. He served as a Sikh minister, Sikh community leader, was head of Bhaat community, represented the Sikh faith in South West prisons and was a president of many Sikh temples.
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Bapu Jee’s oldest brother Sardar Sant Singh Pardesi had been one of the first Sikh settlers in Britain and Bapu Jee followed him in 1946, where he lived in Birmingham, Manchester, Stoke on Trent, Crewe and finally settling in Bristol.
In the 1940s he started a collection to open Sikh temples (Gurdwara) across the country. He was involved in the opening of the first official Gurdwara in England in London, also in his home of Stoke on Trent, and later in Bristol.
In a statement, his family said: “Bapu Gee was an avid sportsman, a fabulous cook, a mesmerising storyteller, and an exceptional hard worker. He went above and beyond for those in need, and was a dedicated loving family man.”
Bapu Gee died on December 9. Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend his funeral from 10am on Saturday, December 13 at Guru Nanak Singh Sabha Sikh Temple on Fishponds Road in Eastville.
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