It is with a heavy heart that we announce that David Robert Beeraj passed away on October 20, 2024, at the age of 86 at the Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus, after a short battle with Parkinson’s disease.
David was born on August 29, 1938 to David and Nadia Beeraj (née Biram) in Mauritius. He graduated with a doctoral degree from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. After graduating, he taught at the University of Mauritius in Réduit, Mauritius. In 1976, he immigrated to Canada (Ottawa) with his wife, two sons and daughter, and soon found employment as a research assistant at Concordia University in Montréal, Québec. He moved to Sainte-Foy, Québec in 1977 where he worked as a professor at Université Laval, teaching plant biology to undergraduates until his retirement in 1998.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Geneviève (née Pascal), sons Robert Daniel (wife Geneviève, daughter Elizabeth) and Gilbert, and daughter Christine (partner Daniel), and remembered fondly by members of his extended family and friends.
The family wishes to convey their gratitude to the nurses at the Emergency Department, and Nurses Ryan and Bev at the Transition Unit at the Ottawa Hospital.
Friends are invited to assemble on Saturday November 9th in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa after 12 noon. Memorial Service will begin at 1:00p.m. followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Digital Guestbook
Marc Charette
Melany, Jarryd, Zion, Phoenix & Hunter Shafton
Sending lots of love, strength, courage and light during this very difficult time. You are all in our prayers. We love and miss you all. We will light a candle on the other side of the world for you xxx
Love Melany, Jarryd, Zion, Phoenix & Hunter
Errol and Josianne Pascal and Family from Australia
You will be in our prayers , Robert was a beautiful soul , he will still be the same in heaven . Rest in peace my cousin and brother in law .
Jeff and Debbie Rubino
Chrissy and family, thinking of you guys during this difficult time.
Olivia Bolger
Mes condoléances les plus sincères à la famille. M. Beeraj étais un homme très chaleureux. Il nous manquera.
France L. et collègues
À Gilbert et sa famille. Nos sincères condoléances. Nos pensées vous accompagnent dans ces moments difficiles.
Véronique Houde
Toutes mes condoléances à toi et tes proches. 🕊️
Je pense à toi.
Sylvain Girouard (Lyse et famille)
Nos plus sincères condoléances à toi Robert, ainsi qu’à Geneviève, Élizabeth, Gilbert et Christine. Perdre un père, un grand-père n’est jamais chose facile. Puissiez-vous chérir les nombreux souvenirs que vous avez bâtis avec lui. Nos pensées sont avec vous.
Marie-Helene
Oumar, Eliman, Sidy et moi vous offrons toutes nos sympathies. Je garde un excellent souvenir des moments en famille avec Robert parmi nous.
Marie-Helene
Thomas and Nathalie
Our most sinceres condolences to you, Gilbert, a very dear friend and to your family. You are in our thoughts during these difficult moments.
Gilbert, my friend, you have my sincerest condolences to you and to your family.