Roland Vishnu

ROLAND VISHNU

March 4, 1930 ~ September 13, 2026

After fulfilling a life of service to his country, fellow citizens and his brothers and sisters-in-Christ, Roland Vishnu, was called home to his Lord in his 97^th year on Earth. He died on the morning of September 13, 2026, at University Hospital in London, Ontario.

Born on March 4, 1930, in the Republic of Singapore, Roland was the eldest son of Alice Pinto and Ramalingam, son of Kathirayson. Predeceased in 2022 by his wife, Pansy Estrellita Vishnu (née Frugtniet), his sister, Theresa (Ramasamy), and brothers, Richard (Mel) Johnny, Victor (Irene), and sister-in-law, Maggie. He is survived by his youngest brother, Edgar (Helen) in Singapore.

Roland’s young teenage years were shaped by the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from February 1942 to September 1945. Soon after the war ended, he attended St. Andrew’s Anglican Boy’s School to complete his secondary education where he made lifetime friends in fellow Eagle Scouts, the late Karl Hilton Fürchtenicht, and the late Chin Wai Fah, who remained in the forefront of his thoughts until his last breaths. Together, they formed an unbreakable bond, went on many hiking and camping adventures together, and helped with nation building in Singapore.

On April 15, 1959, Roland married his childhood sweetheart, Pansy, at a ceremony in St. Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral in Singapore.  Together, they had four children: Evangeline Masciulli (Walter), Jacqueline Fraser (Marc), Llewellyn Vishnu (Bee Kim) and Gwyndeline Vishnu-Pink (Shawn).  Through 1989 to 2017, Roland was blessed with and survived by six grandchildren: Samantha Schweigert (Derek), Jason Ng (Claire), Ian and Christopher Vishnu, and Jaden and Janesa Pink.  Through his children’s marriages, Roland became a step-grandfather to Alicia and Daniella Masciulli, and Brian Fraser and Colleen Bryan. Lovingly remembered and missed by his step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews,  and half-nephews who reside across the world in the USA, UK, Singapore and Australia.

After graduating in August 1956 from the Teacher’s Training College in Singapore, Roland embarked on a career in education, rising to the rank of Senior Education Officer for the Government of Singapore. He took great pride and dedication in his career which spanned over three decades and ended in retirement from teaching at MacPherson Secondary School where he taught his favourite subjects, Mathematics and Geography, and was their Discipline Master. In August 1988, then President Wee Kim Wee awarded Roland with The Long Service Medal in appreciation of his loyal and valued 32 years of service to the Government of Singapore.

Roland strongly believed in acts of service and giving back to his homeland, Singapore. He served as Assistant Commandant in the Vigilante Corps of Singapore (now Singapore Civil Defence), was Assistant District Commissioner for the Singapore Scouts Association and a supervisor for Vocational Industrial Training Board’s night classes. He loved playing and watching sports like wrestling, boxing and soccer. In fact, he was an Asian Cup-accredited referee with the Football Association of Singapore. His historical connection to Singapore football stems from his time coaching schoolboy soccer teams in the late 1970s, where he helped nurture local sporting interests at the grassroots level. Many of his former students warmly recall him for his dual role in the classroom and on the pitch.

Life took an unexpected turn for Roland when, in August 1989, his family decided to migrate to London, Ontario, Canada. After initial wrestling with his strong sense of duty, pride and loyalty to Singapore, he made the decision to be with his family in this new land.

Life as an immigrant was a great learning curve, but Roland embraced his new country wholeheartedly. Roland spent his retirement years helping raise his grandchildren, volunteering with many support organizations like Extendicare, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation and Information London, playing badminton regularly at the Huff n Puff Association, cycling, and travelling extensively to learn and experience countries of the world. He never left home without his favourite bottle of chilli sauce!

From 1989 to the start of the global pandemic in March 2020, Roland dedicated his time to his first love –  St. Paul’s Cathedral, London where he served in many roles including Sacristan. In December 2003, Roland was honoured with the Bishop’s Award for Excellence in Ministry by the Diocese of Huron. He is best remembered for sponsoring the design and installation of the cathedral’s striking 28-foot inlaid wooden labyrinth, which sits at the heart of the reimagined multi-use nave.

Philanthropy was second nature to Roland who felt an obligation to help those in need. He established The Roland Vishnu & Family Charity Fund and Pansy’s Pet Charity Fund, in his wife’s memory, with the London Community Foundation; and The Vishnu Family Volunteer Service Award and The Roland Vishnu Award in Global Studies at Huron University.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Northview Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 1490 Highbury Avenue North, London, Ontario or on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. in the Great Hall at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 472 Richmond Street, London, Ontario.

A celebration of Roland’s life with funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 472 Richmond Street, London. A lunch reception will immediately follow the funeral service, to which family and friends are invited. Cremation will take place with family only present on Saturday, September 26^th at Woodland Cemetery, Mausoleum and Crematorium.

Later, Roland’s cremains will be brought to Singapore where a memorial service will be held and his ashes dispersed in the Singapore Strait.

Those wishing to donate in Roland’s honour and memory are asked to consider his favourite charities:

Paul’s Place, St. Paul’s Cathedral – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/paulsplace/

Operation Smile Canada Foundation – https://operationsmile.ca/

Online tributes and photos can be left on the Tribute Wall.