Anand Acharya passed away peacefully at home on March 3, 2024 at the age of 55, after an almost two-year battle with brain cancer surrounded by his wife and daughters. He remained unbelievably positive and accepting throughout his journey and lived each day to the fullest, spending his time with family and friends, travelling, biking, paddle boarding, walking, skating and reading. Two days prior to his passing, when the doctor asked him how he was doing he told her with all sincerity that “he was living his best life ever”. While he reached great heights in his professional life including being a Captain in the RCAF on the C130, obtaining a PhD in Economics from Carleton and being an Air Canada pilot on the Boeing 777, the thing he was most proud of was his family which he always made his top priority. He is survived by his wife (Kusum), his daughters (Nina and Jasmine), his sister (Anjali) and his parents (Padma and Jana). His wish was to be remembered and not mourned. To this end, a Remembrance of Life will be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa on Sunday, March 10th, 2024 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations for research may be made in Anand’s name to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada
Digital Guestbook
Richard Schwarz
Ling Low
Anand was a great guy- athletic, smart, funny, gracious, hospitable , loving and able to put up with a lot of estrogen around the house!
His love for family is a legacy -making great memories often and intentionally, living in the moment - You both created an amazing family, Kus.
Mark Thomasgard
I was very sorry to hear Anand has passed on. The world has certainly lost a good person. I have never met a more modest, kind and talented person. My sincere condolences go out to Kusum, his daughters and extended family.
Dinesh Shenoy
Anand was 6 years old when I saw him for the first time in Langley-BC, in 1974. I am his uncle who left Vancouver and moved to Calgary a year later. Even though I have met him several times in his adult life, I remember him by his very intelligent and inquisitive look of his childhood days. Anand has achieved many goals in his life, most of us can only dream of. An RCAF captain, Air Canada pilot and an Economics professor in a notable University in Canada. We miss him because he left us when he was still young and vibrant. But I am sure he is flying high among beautiful white clouds with Angels, looking over his very loving family. May his soul rest in peace. May Almighty God bring peace and harmony to his close family and friends. Amen!
Carol and David Jelinek
Though we never had the chance to meet Anand we feel we knew him through the lovely stories told to us by our daughter Lauren and her best friend Jasmine. The love he had for his family was clear and the warm welcome he and Kusum always shared with Lauren will stay with us always. Sending our love and condolences. ♥️
Gabriele Guadagno
Sad news. Flew with Anand on the 777 many times and he was a true professional and a great human being. He often spoke of his family and how proud he was of them. Condolences to the family. May you rest in peace Anand. God Speed.
Andy Baker
I was deeply saddened to learn of this terrible news. Anand Acharya was one of the finest pilots I have ever shared a flight deck with. In addition, he was a fine human being.....immensely talented and intelligent. I always had a smile when I learned he would be working with me on the Airbus. Now retired, I look back with fondness and appreciation for the many great people I had the good fortune to work alongside. People like Anand. To his family I offer my sincere condolences.
Best regards,
Andy Baker
AC retired
Darryl Pajot
I well remember Anand as a newly arrived CC130 First Officer at 435 Squadron. As the Sqn Standards Officer I flew with Anand mostly in a supervisory/checking role and was always impressed by his innate flying ability and knowledge of the aircraft. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was one of those individuals that you truly enjoyed being around. My deepest condolences to his cherished family and many friends.
Kevin Davis
There are a handful of people we get to meet and work with in this life, that leave us in awe of their intelligence and professionalism. Anand is right at the top of that list for me. Whether it was as a fellow pilot at 435 Sqn or Air Canada, Anand was always spoken of with the highest admiration. I am blessed to have known such an amazing person and mourn his passing. Flown west far too soon my friend. My thoughts are with you Kusum, Nina and Jasmine.
Rod Miskey
Kusum, I'm so sorry for the loss that you and your family have suffered. I first met Anand when he arrived at 435 Sqn in the early '90's. We were able to fly/deploy together a number of times and our paths frequently crossed over the subsequent years. The more I got to know him, the more he left an indelible impression on me. Always humble, always positive, always a professional, always a gentleman and wicked smart. The world could use a lot more people like him.
My heartfelt condolences.
Rest in Peace Anand.
Anand was such a cheerful positive guy and a thoughtful conversationalist. We had thought provoking and challenging talks on a wide range of topics and I always felt better informed at the end. He was always very proud of the three ladies in his life!