A FINAL farewell has been bid to a prominent member of the Southampton Sikh community.
Hundreds of people filled the Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib in St Marks Road on Monday to celebrate the life of priest Giani Telhal Singh, who passed away on April 2 aged 80.
Telhal was a well-respected Giani who represented the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras (four Sikh temples) for over forty years.
READ MORE: Tributes to Southampton Sikh Giani who served for over 40 years
Pritheepal Singh, CEO at One Community Hampshire and Dorset, says his death leaves a "big hole" in the Sikh community.
He said: "Telhal was very humble and family-oriented.
"It was like a family and we worked very closely together.
"We respected him and together we made festivals very successful and he never said no to anything. That was the beauty of him.
"Telhal was one of five priests so he leaves a big hole within our community.
"We are very community-orientated and the great thing is he has brought a lot of people together.
"This is a sad moment for the community, but the community is getting together and it is so important.
"He will be sadly missed."
Since his passing on April 2, hundreds of people visited the temple the week prior to his funeral to pay their respects.
According to Pritheepal, between 400 and 600 people are estimated to have visited over the past week.
To him, this shows the profound impact Telhal had on people.
He said: "He is not replaceable and was a very prominent figure.
"Our community in Southampton is very strong."
Family members, friends, and those from the community visited the Sikh temple on Monday to say goodbye.
Many gathered to pay their respects before the cortege left the Gurdwara for Southampton Crematorium.
Among those attending was vice president of the Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib, Rashpal Singh Digwa.
He said: "Telhal was well known in the community and everyone respected him.
"He did great things with the community. He was very genuine and humble, he knew all the children, elders, and more.
"We have another priest but it’s hard to replace such a humble priest.
"When anything sad happens, the community gets together and helps each other."
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