(October 8, 1919 – October 11, 2010) passed away Monday October 11 at the age of 91 years. Mushtaq was born in Najibibad, India and grew up in Bijnor, India. He graduated from the Bengal Veterinary College, Calcutta in 1935, and received his Master of Science (Entomology) at Michigan State University in 1948. After the partition of India, Mushtaq proceeded to Karachi, Pakistan with his first wife Servia and their four children. Servia passed away in 1952, and Mushtaq and the children emigrated to Canada in 1954. He met Catherine in Guelph, Ontario and after their marriage in June 1955, he worked for Agriculture Canada in Ottawa, Ontario for two years before moving to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1957. Mushtaq was a Senior Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Station for 28 years. During this period, Mushtaq received his Doctorate from the University of London, England in 1972. After his retirement in 1984, Mushtaq and Catherine moved to Qualicum Beach, British Columbia in 1988. Mushtaq was an avid community member, which was evidenced by his membership in Rotary International, the Oddfellows Lodge of Lethbridge, Alberta (of which he was Grand Master in the late 1980’s), and the Islamic Centre of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Mushtaq was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather and great-grandfather and an example of diligent hard work and perseverance, life long scholarship, and devotion to his faith. His wisdom and unconditional love shaped the lives of many of those close to him. Mushtaq is survived by his wife of 56 years, Catherine (Cleghorn), his children Ishtiaq, Ashfaq (Sharon), Afaq (Linda), Surraiya, Jane (Randy Royer), Cathy, Camilla (Barry Bonetti) and Jemal (Debbie), his grandchildren Stephen (Raelynn), Heather (Craig), Nika, Dhana (Greg), Alexia (Al), Sabrina, Emily, Jordan, Ashley, Ryan, Alia and Kevin, and his great-grandchildren, Mikhail, Sasha, Jack, Ryan, Samantha and Haylie, his brother Farooq Ahmed Khan (Houston, Texas) as well as many nephews and nieces in India and Houston, Texas.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday October 19th at 7pm at the Yates Funeral Home in Parksville and the graveside ceremony will be on Wednesday October 20 at 2pm at the Qualicum Beach cemetery with a reception to follow at the home.
If friends so desire memorial tributes can be made to The Mushtaq and Catherine Khan Endowment supporting Islamic Studies at the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Alberta.
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM (250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.