Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Sikh community is in mourning following the death of one of its prominent members in an arson fire over the weekend.

 

85-year-old Jagdev Singh Jawanda ( shown in photo at right,  courtesy the Jawanda family) passed away at approximately 6 Sunday evening at University Hospital of injuries suffered in the fire early Saturday morning at his residence in the 2700 block Merritt Road. 

 

A member of the executive at the Gurugobind Singh Temple, Nachhattar Chahal, calls the event and Mr. Jawanda’s death “a horrible event. It is very sad that he passed away this way.”  He says Mr. Jawanda died at about 6 Sunday night.

 

Family members want  Jagdev Singh  Jawanda to be remembered as "A strong and brilliant man.  He was healthy and an integral part of a large loving family and the broader Indian community in Prince George.  He was a teacher who believed strongly in the value and power of education.  He was a man of incredible faith and lived by the values of the Sikh faith."

 

The RCMP Serious Crime Unit is investigating the fire. At this point a resident of the house, 49-year-old Frank William Marion, has been charged with one count of arson. Police say further charges are pending in the wake of the death of Jagdev Jawanda.