WHITTIER CA: Funeral services were held on 12-5-90 at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Whittier, CA for S. Baboo Singh Grewal (May 1, 1904 December 1.1990. He was eulogized by Dr. AS. Marwah and many prominent members of the community paid homage to his illustrious career including his grandson J. Paul Grewal.
Bhog ceremonies were held on 12-8-90 a1 Lanker shim Gurdwara in L.A. His granddaughter, Paramjot (Pam) Grewal gave a very emotional account of his splendid life. Many other prominent speakers remember him as truly a great man of his time. People came from all over to pay their final respects.
He was born on May 1, 1904 to S. Sher Singh, an army soldier, in the village of Kila Raipur, Dist., Ludhiana and Punjab. After his mother’s death at 8, he was raised by his maternal uncle, Giani Ram Singh, a theology teacher. He grew up as a man of religious fervor, and truly lived a Sikh way of life of equality, justice, and above all, faith in Waheguru.
He learned to play hockey early in life and loved and played it with passion. He was blessed with a marvelous scoring power and was the leading scorer of Patiala Tigers, a world renowned team in the twenties and thirties.
During an important tournament match, Maharaja of Patiala was so impressed by his performance that he recruited him as an ASI in police upon his graduation from Mahindra College.
During his police tenure, after serving briefly as a Captain in the army during WWII, he was a living legend for honesty, integrity, fairness, and humility. He treated everyone with dignity and respect.
During partition, when Muslims were concerned about their safety, and massacres were common, he took his three sons to a town meeting where thousands were present. He offered his sons as hostages to ensure that there would be no killings or massacres under his command. He saved thousands of lives, and to this day, people who made it to Pakistan safely remember him as their savior.
He cared deeply for the young, and pushed for improving their lot. He started the girl’s school at Kila Raipur, and was the main instrument in organizing annual Grewal Sports, He encouraged education and sports wherever he was posted, and recruited many fine athletes into the police.
He was active in gurdwara affairs, and was the President of Singh Sabha Gurdwaras of Patiala and Chandigarh for many years. He was honored several times and received many awards including Meritorious Service Award.
He retired in 1959 as SSP and later on moved to US in 1976 to be with his family. He is survived by Sardarni Ranjit Kaur, five sons, three daughters and 17 grandchildren. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
May Waheguru bless his soul.
S Baboo Singh Grewal
Article extracted from this publication >> January 4, 1991
