Condolences from Rossven (Ross) Naidoo in Brisbane Australia. Ishi as my dad used to call him used to teach with my father at Hillcrest High in Livingston Zambia in the late 1960's and early 1970's before Ishi and family went to Canada and we to Australia. Both Ishi and my dad were passionate about education and the importance in improving the standing of the economically and politically poorest across the world. I recall my dad on occasion picking up Ishi's children and taking them to school. His son i think it was Michael and I were in the same grade in primary school. My deepest condolence to all the Dawood family from all of the clan in Australia. Ishi always seemed to have some different interesting car in Africa usually ones that ' failed to proceed' on occasion. He was always humbly transparent about his love affairs with cars even though he possessed little mechanical knowledge about them. I recall his convertible deep green Austin that he brought around to show my dad and family one day, only for it to not start when he tried to drive home, thankfully it was just a fuse issue. The era of passionate social justice educators that were highly respected is passing us by- God speed your soul sir.

Ross J Naidoo Brisbane Australia 26th September 2023

Mr. Dawood was my favourite teacher. He taught us so much about how to think for ourselves. I’ll always remember him with his coffee can collecting for the Brazil fund, and will never forget the lessons learned in his classroom. Condolences to his family who he talked about all the time. He was a great man!

Let me take you back to 2010. 13 years ago. I was attending middle school in Calgary, Alberta, with a big problem. I was scheduled to deliver a presentation to the class in suit and tie. Ismail Dawood, in one of the purest forms of mentorship that I've seen, personally taught me two knots with one period to spare before the presentation. Now, many interviews, presentations and promotions later, I reflect on Mr. Dawood's selfless personality. With great privilege, I wear on my neck the kindness that he showed me, of which I was wholly undeserving, each time that I tie a tie. Admittedly, I am overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of Mr. Dawood's passing. It marks a loss of tremendous proportion. I find peace in his indisputable display of achievement in his responsible years with us. The knowledge of his passing comes with it the obligation to carry onward the legacy of Mr. Dawood's moral fortitude, this being not just a silent salute to an incredible man who was ahead by centuries, it is in keeping with his wish for a better, compassionate society.

April 11, 2023 - Efrain Vasquez

I went to french immersion up until high school and it was there I first read this mans work. He wrote a couple text books I read/studied in jr high school, But what was amazing was years later as a senior in high school he was the substitute for my religion class. I remembered his name from the cover of my books!.... I asked him if he were the same man and indeed he was ! That one day with him in class has stuck with me into adult hood, he shared with us his life , he talked of his sons, stories of his family and life back in south africa. As a bi racial man lost at that time he saw i needed help, he changed the way I viewed the world and life with one hour of class and little talk afterwards .... over 13 years later I decided to google his name because I wanted to thank him for the lessons and the advice he gave me. its amazing how much one mans words can effect your decisions and future in life.... to his family , this man made a massive difference in the world, if he turned my life around when i was lost then i cant imagine how many others hes touched.

Cheryl and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with your dad when he was subbing at CN. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My sympathy to your family. I still remember Mr Dawood. He was one of the best teachers I ever had! He had such a special gift in teaching social studies and actually made it interesting - not usually one of my favorite classes. His exuberance for teaching remains with me to this day even 45 years after attending St Bonaventure School. He was an outstanding person and teacher. May he rest in peace.

Brenda Lerner

My sincere Condolences to the Dawood Family especially Jennifer and Trevor on the loss of Jen's dad. The loss of a parent is always devastating; a void no one can fill. May god give you strength and fatih to face your pain Jen and May your dad's beautiful soul rest in Eternal Peace..Sending big hugs to you and the family.

Mr. Dawood as I knew him in grade 7 and 8 was always my favourite teacher. He was so charismatic, funny, and knowledgeable. He made social studies, challenging and exciting. Through my many years of teaching, I often ran into Ishie and had the pleasure of teaching his grandson Lucas. In recent years my son Odin has become good friends with Lucas showing just how small the world really is. Our deepest sympathies to to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Heather,Jeff,Odin and Niven Merry

I had the pleasure, and honour really, of being a student of Mr Dawood, Ishie, as he suggested his students to call him at St. Bonaventure, though few ever took him on that; he was Mr Dawood, at least in the classroom. He was a teacher who was inventive, engaged and energic beyond what would seem possible. I remember him fondly to this day, some 40 years later.

One particular exercise, he apparently designed himself, the Push-Pull game, had a large and lastly impact on me, and I expect were I to encounter Mr Dawood during these decades past he might well remember our interaction during the game play in that class so long ago - such he was, a man that cared for and earnestly served his students and strived to make them better people, capable of thinking wisely, independently and empathetically.

A man that affected so many in so many positive ways has passed. My sincere condolences to the family on their loss.

I have fond memories of working with Ishie for six years at St. Bonaventure School in the early nineties. I was fairly new to teaching, and Ishie was already a seasoned veteran. As such, he was a wonderful mentor and colleague whose professionalism, intelligence, and good humor inspired both staff and students alike. I remember his dedication to helping those less fortunate than us, especially a community that he supported in Brazil. He spent part of his lunch break every day, with his little tin, collecting change from us that we got back from our vending machine purchases. He was also always collecting bottles and cans to take to the depot, as well as used clothing to send to Brazil. Somehow, Ishie found time to use his great talents to author a textbook about Brazil that was used for the Alberta Social Studies program for many years. Ishie loved to talk, and his story telling was legendary. I only worked with Ishie for a short time, but I have never forgotten him, and I feel privileged to have known him at such a formative time in my career. My sincere condolences go out to all of Ishie's family.

Mr. Dawood was my favourite teacher and also a favourite to our whole family including my 4 younger sisters and parents. We had him speak at my wedding in Edmonton in 1991. Happy and honoured that he attended and spoke so well. My condolences to the whole family.

Patrick Renchko

Just wanted to send my condolences to the beautiful family of this wonderful man. I never met any of you but I did meet Mr. Dawood as he substituted for my school quite often. He was always such a pleasure. Everyone loved him, and his sense of humour. He made learning such an engaging and fun experience. He really knew his stuff and I know why now as per his education. Along with that though, and more importantly than any of that is that he always remembered who you were. He would have known countless numbers of students throughout his career, yet he remembered you, your name, important details, etc. He was a really special person and I know he will be deeply missed by each of you. My thoughts are with you all

I am very saddened by the news of the passing of this brother, father and professional friend who we have known each other very well. We thank God for the good life of 86 years that he gave as a gift to brother Ismail Dawood. Rest in peace my Colleague and Dear friend. I pray for the whole family and may God be your strength as you mourn and celebrate the life of Mr. Dawood.

Msafiri Mhehe

I have nothing but amazing memories of my junior high social studies teacher, Mr Dawood. Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable on many topics but he was the most engaging teacher I ever had. We hung on his every word! He had high expectations for us and lovingly challenged us to do our best. He taught us that we could have a voice even as young teenagers by getting our position papers published in the newspaper. He also taught us about social justice by always collecting money for the kids in Brazil as well as uneaten lunch items to quietly share with those who didn’t have any.

I remember the song he would sing for my best friend “Pam, Pam, the Zulu Queen…” every time he saw us in the hallway. He was never without a smile on his face and spread joy to everyone.

An amazing man; I am blessed to have known him. I’m so sorry to the family on the loss of your dad. I pray you will be comforted by the many wonderful memories.

Ishi was my favourite teacher in grade school. He was a subject matter expert, was able to engage with students in a unique way, and taught with a passion which showed how much he loved teaching kids as well as passing along knowledge to future generations.

Condolences to the Dawood family. Ishi will be remembered fondly!

Adrian Foster

Dear Mishelle and family,

I’m very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Dawood. I learned of his passing from one of his former students posting it to Facebook. I didn’t know him as a teacher but it sounds like he was an incredible instructor and mentor. I’ve read nothing but positive comments on what an amazing person he was. I didn’t know him very well, but what I did know of Mr. Dawood, was that he was a very protective father of Mishelle. There were days when I would walk home after elementary school with Mishelle and I was instructed to never go within a block of her house as her dad would be watching!

My deepest and most sincere condolences to Mishelle and her entire family in the passing of Mr. Dawood.

Rick James

To the Dawood Family,

Ishi influenced an entire generation of kids to open their eyes and question the status quo. He taught with a level of energy and passion which was captivating and put his classes in high demand. He influenced my interests in world affairs to complete a degree in business economics.

Thank you to the Dawood Family for sharing your father with us (ie. Speaking on behalf of the thousands of kids that he taught). He was a truly great man and role model!

Adam Nicol

Class of 95 to 97

To the Dawood Family, especially my dear friend Mishelle,

Thank you for sharing your parents with me. As a grown woman with a family of my own, I often look back at my childhood and marvel at how your parents treated me like “another child in their house”. They fed me, took me on errands with them, made space for me during sleepovers, and let me play for hours on end in every corner of their home. I fondly remember Ishi, of course I called him “Uncle Ishi”, taking veggies from his vast garden and sharing them with me, always with a smile on his face. My deepest condolences to you all during this difficult time and may your father Rest In Peace. I hope you know that your parents had an impact on my life and every time I think of them, I smile at the memory.

xoxo …Tonya

Ishi was larger than life and was an inspiration to many. He was a storyteller and a life-long teacher. He loved to share his life experiences with his students and colleagues alike. When he wasn't inspiring young minds, he would speak fondly and lovingly about his family, who meant so much to him. This world was and is a better place as a result of the time Ishi shared with the people and places in it. After 87 years of living a full life on this earth, Ishi will no doubt continue his work that much closer to his God. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family at this time. Thank you for sharing your time with us Ishi!

To the Dawood family

So sorry for your loss, please accept our condolences.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

RIP Ishie.

Horace and Joan Persaud.

My condolences to the family of Mr. Dawood. He taught social studies, but more importantly, he taught critical thinking. He inspired me to love learning. I had the pleasure of teaching at least one of his children at university.

My sincere condolences to the Dawood family. Mr. Dawood taught me how to get over my mathematics "trauma" at Strathcona Tweedsmuir in Junior High school. He was a very dynamic teacher and a truly wonderful and caring person.

Mr. Dawood reminds me of some of my warmest memories of St. Bonaventure School. He had a keen sense of wit and even better sense of humor. He will be missed.

My sincere condolences to Mr. Dawood’s family. I remember his social studies classes at St. Bonaventure fondly. Most certainly an incredibly bright human being - he could have taught anywhere in the world and been a success. We were privileged to have him as a teacher. One other item that he impressed upon us was the importance of continuous learning. My recollection is that he developed a working knowledge of Portuguese to facilitate his research and travels for the textbook on Brazil. As I consider this some ~30 years later, it is remarkable. He is missed.

Mr Dawood taught me and my son. He was a kind and compassionate man and a great teacher. Sending my condolences to his family.

I will always be indebted to Ishie. Three decades ago he mentored me as a young teacher. The teacher I am today is thanks to his selfless efforts. Thank you, Ishie. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.

Everyone was excited to be assigned to Ishie’s social studies class at St.Bonaventure. It was a right of passage to become one of his students, because he was never just a teacher. He was passionate, funny, tough, intelligent and controversial. He was always a presence in the hallway encouraging, joking and calling us out when necessary. A brillant man who could have taught at any world university, yet chose to bless our school for generations. Some teachers recede into memory and some our children know because we have told stories of them for…well I won’t say how many years, but a few.

To Mr. Dawood’s family; thank you. Thank you for sharing him with us for all those years. There are hundreds of students who survived junior high because of this man and learned important lessons like the different words for cigarettes and erasers in England! He loved his wife, of that we all knew and was tremendously proud of his children. This was a life extremely well lived and who has now reunited with his beautiful wife, Maureen and his darling boy Christopher, in the arms of the Lord. My sympathies for your loss, and my prayers of thanks and celebration for such an incredible man.

I have such pleasant memories of Ishie Dawood from when he taught two of my children at St. Bonaventure. He made everyone feel special and brought out the very best in his students in his gentle, funny way. He taught them the importance of caring for others and sharing with the less fortunate. From the coin can on his desk to his support of a small village in South America, he showed them how they were a part of a world where, even in small ways, we can all help each other. May he rest in peace.

Mr D, this is such a great loss to so many. Mr D. I will remember always as a great man who made life worth while. My heart breaks, and tears always.

To your family; accept my condolences, Mr.D will always be a great person to me. He makes me want to be a better person.

Definitely the best teacher and amazingly wise, kind and funny individual. So much of my early teens were shaped through his influence. He taught me to always be a student of life. I have never forgotten this. With eternal fondness and deep gratitude. Rest in power Ishi ~ Sonny

Mr. Dawood was my favourite teacher at St. Bonaventure. He taught me so much about Africa and other countries. May he rest in peace.

What a huge impact this man made on our family! He was not only one of my husband’s favourite teachers at St Bonaventure many years ago, but also a favourite substitute teacher for all 4 of our children.

Rest in eternal Paradise Sir.

For myself, Mr. Dawood was known as the best substitute teacher in the entire city. Kind, personable, engaging, intelligent. He truly respected every student he worked with and took the time to make them feel special. The majority of Calgary's students will mourn for our favourite teacher.

Don and I send our condolences to Ishie's family. He was a wonderful teacher and human being. He taught both our children and that was how we met him, but we continued to be friends long after that connection was done. He was recognized by the Calgary Retired Teachers Association and loved by many.

He will be missed.

Mary and Don Checkley

Mr. Dawood taught myself, sister and at least 10 of my cousins from the mid 90’s to the 2000’s as we filtered through St. Bonaventure and then a couple more of my cousins as a substitute teacher at other schools later on. I count myself as fortunate to have been taught by him and the fact that he would tell my younger cousins that he knows my whole family speaks to how much he cares and remember his students. He was a great man and will be missed.

My deepest condolences to you for your loss. Mr. Dawood is one of the few teachers I do remember from St.Bonaventure because it was a treat to be in one of his classes! He was such a great and fun teacher, and in general a wonderful person.

Ishie and I crossed paths many times. He was a true gentleman and always such a positive person! An excellent teacher and a caring individual - was always a treat to hear his voice greeting me - "Hey Big Mack!!" He will be truly missed.

Our children were students at St Bonaventure. They loved when Mr.Dawood came in as a substitute teacher. He sure won the respect of the students. Great man. Our condolences to the family.

Brenda and Bernie Nielsen(sadie, Garrett, Ellen ,Jack)

It was a celebration to learn Mr. Dawood was to stand in for class. To our delight, he would often deviate from the traditional lesson plan, and enlighten us with stories of a life well lived. I’m certain these stories - and life lessons - still resonate with others to the large extent they do myself. The loss is immeasurable.

Godspeed Mr. Dawood!

Jennifer & Dawood family

I want to let you know it was a pleasure to have known your dad for over 15 years . We often talked about his trip from South Africa to bring his family to Canada. Raising kids with your Maureen in the house first house they bought. The memories you'll always have and will never be forgotten. When he talked about his years as a teacher his eyes lit up, he loved it so much. His passion after teaching was his garden, that was started by his late wife Maureen. There's many times when I went over he'd be working in the garden with that old jacket on and it was hot out. He insisted on wearing it, because he said he felt closer to Maureen. There were times when Jen and I would go for a walk with him, and the neighbors stop to chat with him.  He was so proud of his children and the students he taught. This world has lost a wonderful man, will be missed so very much.

                                Colleen Carnegie

Learnt more about the world and history from this man in the three years at St B. than I learnt in the last 60. He cared about you if you wanted to learn and always remembered your name . My kids had the honour to be taught by him also. Should name a School in his honor.

Mr. Dawood taught myself and three of my siblings. When we get nostalgic and speak of times past, Mr. Dawood is often brought up, and memories are followed by smiles and laughter. He always collected uneaten food from students lunches to share with those who didn't have anything to eat for the day. He believed we were capable and proved so by getting through an entire curriculum with enough time to include a unit on Africa. When I entered grade 10 I already knew much of the curriculum because of him and returned to St. Bonavista to personally thank him. I feel blessed to have known him and am grateful that he is now at peace with his wife. My condolences to his family. Smile, and think of how lucky are we that we got to share precious time on earth with him. Much love, Catherine Simoneau

Jennifer and your brothers and sisters

I want to let you know it was a pleasure to have known your dad for over 15 years . We often talked about his trip from South Africa to bring his family to Canada. Raising kids with your Maureen in the house first house they bought. The memories you'll always have and will never be forgotten. When he talked about his years as a teacher his eyes lit up, he loved it so much. His passion after teaching was his garden, that was started by his late wife Maureen. There's many times when I went over he'd be working in the garden with that old jacket on and it was hot out. He insisted on wearing it, because he said he felt closer to Maureen. There were times when Jen and I would go for a walk with him, and the neighbors stop to chat with him.  He was so proud of his children and the students he taught. This world has lost a wonderful man, will be missed so very much.

                                Colleen Carnegie

To The Dawood Family,

I'm so sorry to read of Mr. Dawood's passing. Those of us who attended St. Bonaventure have nothing but the best memories of him. He remembered every sibling and every nickname regardless of how many years had passed. He was a fantastic teacher and mentor. Thanks for sharing him with all of us, his students, for so many years. May he rest in peace.