Jack-UppalVictoria: A pioneer in B.C.’s South Asian community Jagat (Jack) Singh Uppal died on Sunday at the age of 89.

“British Columbia’s South Asian Community lost one of its pillars with the passing of Dr. Jagat Uppal,” Premier Clark said in a statement on the passing of Dr. Jagat (Jack) Singh Uppal.

Uppal’s father was among the first wave of Sikh immigrants to B.C. His son fought for a better quality of life for his family at a time of colonial and racial tensions in B.C.

Jack was one the first Sikh children to attend public school in Vancouver. In 2012 he received an honorary doctorate from Simon Fraser University. He was also the recipient of the B.C. Community Achievement Award in 2010.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Uppal’s family. He will be missed,” said B.C. Premier.