Dr. Mahdi Buxali Juma

With great sadness, the family of Dr. Mahdi Buxali Juma announces his passing May 22, 2018 at the age of 86.  Only son of Buxali Fazalani and Mariam Alanna Juma, Dr. Juma passed away at his Regina home in the loving company of his dear wife Avelina (Cabahug) Juma. He was the proud Father of Ali Juma (Michele), Stella Juma-Anderson (Ron), Hussain Juma, and Fatima Juma.  Uncle to Rowena (Rudy) Evardo and adoring Grandfather to Khalil and David Anderson, Kaden, Aidan, Kiran and Aaron Juma, and Rona Evardo. Dearest lifelong friend to Hamza Ali.

Originally from Karachi Pakistan, Dr. Juma immigrated to Canada in 1966 after a two year fellowship at the Worcester Foundation in Massachusetts USA, where he conducted research for Dr. Pincus, the creator of the birth control pill.  In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan he met his true love a Filipino nurse Avelina (Belen) Cabahug.  The couple was married in 1967 and celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 28, 2017.  A man of medicine, Dr. Juma devoted his life and research to the care of the elderly, having done graduate studies in Anatomy at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Physiatry Residency at Royal University Hospital, before moving to Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1975 where he served at the Souris Valley Extended Care Hospital (SVECH).  He would become Medical Director of SVECH before retiring in 1996.  Dr. Juma’s research on Alzheimer’s would take him on the North America lecture circuit where he was named in the book, “The Who’s Who of Medicine” for his research.

Upon retirement Dr. Juma would take on his most challenging and exciting role in becoming a grandfather to Khalil in 1997, a role that expanded to include six more grandchildren.  When not practicing medicine, conducting research and later grandfathering, Dr. Juma promoted multi-culturism in Saskatchewan, supporting initiatives that maintained languages and arts.  He served as President of the Weyburn Multi-Cultural Association and also served as Treasurer of the Filipino Seniors Association of Regina.  Dr. Juma not only promoted the learning and preservation of traditional languages such as Ukrainian in Saskatchewan, he was an active student having acquired the ability to speak seven different languages over his life.  Known not only for his intelligence, kindness, caring, friendliness, compassion and community service, Dr. Juma had a great sense of humor and appreciation for life. He truly believed "laughter is the best medicine."

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Regina Health Region Home Care, Dr. Khaladkar, Dr. John Alport, Dr. Sharon Leibel, the Pasqua Hospital 4A staff, our private home care staff Jenny, Mila L, Joahnna, and Mila G. for the exceptional care to Dr. Juma. Thank you to all our friends who visited and prayed for Dr. Juma as his health declined.

A Prayer Service was held Friday, May 25th at Holy Rosary Cathedral Hall in Regina at 7 p.m. following with a Celebration of Life.  On Saturday, May 26th at 9:30 a.m. Islamic Prayers were held at the Regina Funeral Home, 4001 East Victoria Ave.  Interment took place at the Weyburn Hillcrest Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at the Knox Presbyterian Fellowship Hall from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 136 ~  2nd Street, NE. 

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Dr. Juma may be made to the Regina Open Door Society, 1855 Smith Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2N5.

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