Bereavement Notice

It is with great sadness that the University shares the news of the tragic passing of Shaan Nair this December. Shaan took his own life earlier this month.

Shaan was a dedicated software engineering student in his first year of study here at Waterloo. He was also a resident on campus at Village 1.

It was Shaan’s dream to get a degree in software engineering from the University of Waterloo, and he worked hard toward his dream.

Those who knew Shaan knew him to be a creative person who had many passions. He was a writer, a speaker and an advocate for lifelong learning, especially peer-to-peer exchanges which he felt had an immense power to build future talent.

Shaan’s close friends and classmates expressed their extreme shock and sadness on hearing this sad news. They describe Shaan as a charismatic, happy and fun-loving person. He is remembered as someone who boosted morale and always spread joy and a smile to everyone around him. Shaan was a true friend of everyone. He’d always be truthful and tell things the way they are, and for that reason he is remembered as someone who his friends could be open with. Shaan’s family has received many prayers for his soul to rest in peace, as a son, a true friend, a mentor, an inspiration, and as an eternal student.

Shaan’s life was honoured at a cremation ritual earlier this month which was attended by a lot of his friends, instructors and his family.

Shaan’s family has shared that they are devastated and are left with a big void in their lives. They are still grieving and shocked while they are trying to piece things together. They have expressed their feelings to the university and have requested to provide additional support and counselling to all students. Shaan’s parents have also expressed openness to talk to any student or parent if it helps them with dealing with this situation and also if you feel the need to share anything with the family, please feel free to reach out to the university for their contact details.

If you need help during this difficult time, please reach out to your community on campus and know that there is support available to you.

Resources:

If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk, please contact Counselling Services

at Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096. In-person and virtual supports are available.

These additional supports are also available to everyone in our community:

• Here 24/7 - 1-844-437-3247 (available for immediate support)

• Grand River Hospital - 519-749-4300

• St. Mary's Hospital - 519-744-3311

• Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454

• Talk Suicide Canada – 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645

• Empower Me - 1-844-741-6389

• IMPACT (Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team)