Obituary of Anil K. Sawhney
Dr. Anil K. Sawhney
Dr. Anil K. Sawhney passed away on January 9, 2019 at age 68. He was predeceased by his parents, Kedar Nath and Pushpa (Suri); and his brother, Girish. He is survived by his loving wife, Paramjot; adoring children, Monica and Neil; loyal sisters, Anita Malik and Dolly Bhagat; and many, many close family members and dear friends.
Anil was born in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, India, the second of four children. He was a notoriously mischievous child, never seen without a bandage or a cast, and always off on some sort of adventure. Part of an army family, Anil lived in many cities across India throughout his youth. As a young adult Anil chose to follow his physician father into the medical field, pursuing a career in dentistry. He attended the Government Dental College Ahmedabad, graduating in 1972.
After dental school Anil joined the Indian Army for a short service commission, serving as a dentist for three years north of Kashmir. He then practiced privately for a short time in New Delhi before deciding to immigrate to the United States in 1977. He bravely arrived in the country with $8 in his pocket and promptly moved to Rochester, NY, where a close friend from college lived. There he worked in an orthodontic office while obtaining his credentials to practice in New York State.
Anil moved to LeRoy, NY in 1984 after making the ambitious decision to take over a dental practice, and quickly became a mainstay of the community. He was an active member of the LeRoy Rotary Club for over 30 years and past president. Anil was engaged in numerous community activities and charity events, along with providing dental services for many of the town’s residents. He was actively involved with the American Dental Association (ADA), NYS Dental Association, and was past president of the Tri-County Dental Society.
Along the way Anil married Urvashi Kapur in 1980 and had two children, Monica in 1985 and Neil in 1988. Sadly Urvashi passed away in 1993 after a long illness. Despite this devastating loss, Anil took on the challenge of raising his rambunctious young children with courage and grace, ensuring they were always surrounded by love and support. He married Paramjot Randhawa in 1997 and they spent 21 happy years together, filled with laughter and travel that took them all over the world.
Always a curious soul, Anil’s appetite for new pursuits and challenges never waned. In his later years, Anil became very involved with the Hindu Temple of Rochester. He enthusiastically served as president of the temple for a number of years and remained on the Board of Trustees afterward. During his tenure Anil oversaw multiple major expansions of the temple and led a series of fundraising initiatives. Around the same time, Anil developed a passion for golf and became a member of Locust Hill Country Club. It wasn’t exactly pretty at the beginning, but he approached the often frustrating game with the same tenacity that he applied to all endeavors. Just months before his passing, Anil proudly finished as the runner-up in his club’s Senior Match Play Championship.
Anil will be remembered most for the hugely positive impact he had on all those he encountered. He was a pillar of strength and leader in every sense of the word; greatly admired by his family and friends. He developed a large group of close friends over the years, remaining fiercely loyal and always available to each of them. Anil was similarly well known for his sense of humor, always ready to crack a wry joke while keeping a straight face. He played an immeasurable role in the lives of his immediate and extended family. Anil had an impressive ability to stay closely in touch with so many, regardless of whether they lived ten minutes or thousands of miles away. As a husband and father he was caring, selfless beyond words, and unflinchingly proud.
Anil had an awe-inspiring ability to overcome challenges with a smile, frequently described as a "fighter" by all who knew him. His positive energy and outlook never wavered, and this demeanor was evident in all of his life's pursuits. While his loss leaves a massive void in our lives, we can take comfort in the unique way he found something to enjoy about each and every day he was with us.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hindu Temple of Rochester (120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford, NY 14534). Temple Website OR Rotary International (One Rotay Center / 1560 Sherman Avenue / Evanston, IL 60201 - 3698) Rotary Website
