Hale and hearty

"Rusy still walks daily and then climbs up to his apartment instead of taking the elevator. He is a picture of health and always wears his radiant smile that endears him to all who know him,” writes Quinee Patel of her "lovable, bright eyed, intelligent, well read…effervescent Uncle Rustom Rutanshaw Patel” who celebrated his 100th birthday on January 23, 2015.
Earlier, on January 11, 2015, nearly 30 family and friends had gathered at the Bengal Lounge in the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia to partake of an Indian buffet lunch with him. Bapsy Dadachanji briefly outlined his life history, his professional commitments, the years spent with his wife Lien and their travels around the world. Homi and Coomi Italia representing the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia were present as also friends Firdosh and Rashna Mehta, and Nerges Kooka who had come from other states to Victoria to join in the celebration.

Quinee and Rustom Patel

Rustom at the lunch party in Victoria

Rustom flanked by Bapsy Dadachanji (left) and Roxana Khushrushahi

Photos: Goolita Wadia-Shave

Three months prior, Quinee had organized a birthday treat for him with a traditional ses, garland, chalk and a festive meal of sali ma murghi, patra ni machhi, dhan dar and patio, followed by ravo and raspberry cheesecake for dessert.
Living in his own apartment in a facility for seniors at Victoria, his home is adorned with memorabilia collected over the years when he and Lien traveled through India, Afghanistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Holland, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Mexico. Their economical holidays were mostly in bed and breakfast lodgings but at the age of 100 "his memory is outstanding” and he can regale family and friends with stories of his sojourns.
Born in Bhavnagar, his schooling was in that small town before he proceeded to Poona for his engineering studies. An electrical and mechanical engineer by profession, Patel worked for Josts Engineering for some years and traveled to England and America before settling in Calcutta. When working with the Royal Indian Navy, on a port visit with HMIS Kistna in London, he met Lien at a tea house in 1948. Since the only vacant seat in the tea house was at the table occupied by Lien, the waiter directed him there. Born in Holland, Lien was in England to improve her English. The couple married a year later at Hampstead, London and spent several years in India. In 1959 after a trip to Canada, Rusy and Lien decided to settle there and he found a job with the Department of Defense in Ottawa, Ontario.
Nearly 20 years ago they relocated to Victoria which has a milder climate and would stay in touch with the nearly 20 Zoroastrian families there who try and meet up three or four times a year. Keeping promises is a community trait, believes Rusi who observes that "Parsis are very keen on justice, equality, philanthropy and charity… Our culture is rich and we need to preserve it and live ethically.”
After the passing away of Lien, Rusi keeps busy reading world news and still enjoys his engineering periodical, marveling at the advancement in technology. Whilst his meals are provided by the Assisted Living facility, he makes his own breakfast, preferring to do his own weekly grocery shopping and cooking his oatmeals instead of using readymade cereals. "I never hear him complain about anything at all… We would all like to take a page out of my Uncle Rustom’s book and live a joyous, healthy and interesting life,” sums up Quinee admiring that he takes his daily walks with a straight back, his hands clasped behind his back.