Harbhajan Singh Deol

Col. Harbhajan Singh Deol, V.S.M. (Retd.)

April 14, 1936 – June 19, 2026

It is with hearts full of love, and heavy with sorrow, that we announce the passing of Colonel Harbhajan

Singh Deol, V.S.M. (Retd.), who left us peacefully at home in Andover, Massachusetts, on June 19, 2026, surrounded by family, at the age of 90.

Col Deol was born on April 14, 1936, in Haripur, Punjab, the start of a life that would carry him across continents and into the hearts of everyone he met. He gave 27 years of his life to the Indian Army, rising to the rank of Colonel in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). For his exceptional service to the nation, he was honored by the President of India with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), a fitting tribute to a man whose every step in uniform was marked by duty, precision, and quiet honor.

When his Army days came to a close, he didn’t slow down. He simply returned to his roots to run the family farm in the village of Nauli, Punjab, and spent the next 28 years there, working the land that had shaped him.

But there was so much more to Col Deol than his uniform. He was a man deeply rooted in where he came from, yet endlessly curious about the rest of the world. Nothing brought him more peace than his farm in Nauli, hands in the soil he loved. And nothing excited him quite like a reunion with old friends scattered across the globe. He’d book a flight at the drop of a hat just to see them, always chasing the next adventure. His generosity reached far beyond his own family, too. He gave tirelessly to the village school, leaving behind a gift of education that will keep uplifting the children of Nauli for generations to come.

He leaves behind the love of his life and partner of 65 years, his wife Balwant Kaur Deol; his son Manjot Singh Deol and daughter-in-law Shonika Deol; his daughters Sandeep Sahota and Kushleen Dhillon, and sons-in-law Harkuldip Singh Sahota and Bikram Singh Dhillon. He will be cherished always by his six grandchildren Guneet, Harjot, Tanya, Divneet, Simrin, and Nireet, who knew him as a source of endless stories, laughter, and love.

Anyone who knew Harbhajan knew his warmth first. He never walked into a room without a story to tell or a joke ready to make someone laugh. He never left a room without leaving it a little brighter. His humor, his generosity, and his sheer love of life touched everyone lucky enough to cross his path.

There was no limit to what Harbhajan would do for the people he loved - family, friends, or simply anyone who came to him needing help. As a Free Mason and an active member of Lions Clubs International, he used both organizations as vehicles for that same generosity, working to uplift his home village and championing education for the girls there.

He was, in every sense, a man of the mind as well as the heart. After completing his post-graduation in Political Science, he joined the Army and went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering. He never stopped learning. He spoke many languages, including Sindhi and Polish. He could find a way to connect with almost anyone he met.

Col Deol leaves behind a legacy of service, generosity, and laughter — one that will continue to guide and inspire his family for generations to come. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A funeral service will be held at Carrier Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday June 24th at 11.00am-1.00pm, followed by Sukhmani Sahib Path, Kirtan and Langar at the Westborough Gurdwara from 2.45pm – 3.45pm.