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Sivabal (Siv) Sivaloganathan
December 4, 1956 – March 2, 2025
“Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” – Khalil Gibran
Siv passed away peacefully at the age of 68 from a brief illness. He is survived by his beloved family: wife of 33 years, Sumathi; children Darshan (Annie), Myra, Arjun, and Krishnan; mother Maheswary; siblings Jeyabal (Sentha) and Leela (Andrew); and countless dear loved ones.
Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Siv moved to England from Nigeria to attend boarding school when he was nine. After obtaining his PhD from Oxford University, he started his academic career at the University of Alberta before finding his long-term professional home at University of Waterloo as a professor in the mathematics faculty, the department chair (2016-2023), and the longtime and founding director of the Fields Centre for Mathematical Medicine.
Siv was a visionary leader, a remarkable mathematician and professor, and a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary research, bridging mathematics and biomedical sciences in transformative ways. Through his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication, he fostered impactful collaborations that shaped the field and inspired countless students and colleagues.
Beyond his many academic achievements, Siv was a kind, loving, and generous son, brother, husband, father, uncle, mentor, colleague, and friend. His warmth, wisdom, and dedication to his family, friends, and colleagues will always be remembered. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.
For close family, friends, and colleagues, the funeral will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Details to follow.
The link to the livestream of the service is HERE.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in honor of Siv https://cancer.ca/en/
If you would like to send flowers, you may have them delivered to St. John’s Dixie Chapel on the morning of Sunday, March 9, and note that they are for Sivabal Sivaloganathan. If you are looking for a local florist, you could use Carisma Florists (https://carismaflorists.com).
Please note: all condolences are reviewed before they appear publicly on the obituary page.
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8 Guestbook Entries
March 5, 2025 | MATHI RAVE-INDRANATHAN
Condolences to Sumathi Attahi and family. Rest in peace Siv Mama.
March 9, 2025 | Oza Family
[2025-03-06, 11:27:02 AM] Amit Oza: Message for Sivaloganathan Family
Dear Sumathi, Darshan, Annie, Myra, Arjun and Krishie,
Words cannot describe the sorrow at the sad passing of Siv – he was our closest friend and family -a brother. We will never forget his infectious laughter, wit, intellect packaged in gentle and calm humility. We connected over the search for meaning after the losses of our own fathers, and found some solace in talking about life, loss and meaning
Some words from one of his favourite poems he liked to quote:
Softly – Colin Gordon-Farleigh
Softly the leaves of memory fall, gently I gather and treasure them all.
Unseen, unheard, you are always near, so missed, so loved, so very dear.
Softly the light from the stars above, glinting and twinkling their message of love.
Unseen, unheard, you are always near, so missed, so loved, so very dear.
Softly the sound in heaven above, silent the words to my whispered love;
Unseen, unheard, you are always near,
So missed, so loved, so very dear.
Please take care -Siv is with us, now and always.
Lots of love.
Amit, Sangeeta, Manish, Janika, Rich
March 10, 2025 | Ponnu - K. Ponnambalam
Dear Sumathi and family,
I was shocked to hear this unexpected and untimely passing of our friend Siv. Words cannot express our sorrow.
Ponnu and Tiuley
March 11, 2025 | Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo Region
Rest in Peace. Deepest condolences from Waterloo Tamil community.
March 14, 2025 | Maryse Repp
In this time of sorrow my most sincere thoughts are with your family.
March 23, 2025 | Ranjith Muhandiram
Dear Dr. Sumathi and Siv’s family ,
Please accept my sincere condolences.
I arrived at IISc last week and was shocked to learn that Siv has passed away. After meeting him in Edmonton, it was only last year I met him again at IISc and truly enjoyed his warm friendship during our meal times at the IISc guest house. Then, last November it was an honour to get invited to your house for a dinner, sadly the last time I saw Siv.
I will always remember his infectious laugher and warm personalty.
Rest in peace Siv.
April 9, 2025 | Ningchuan Wang
Rest in peace professor. You taught me two math courses (AMATH351 and AMATH353) in 2010. You will be deeply missed.
August 7, 2025 | Gareth Shaw
I was shocked, and so so saddened to hear of Siv’s passing. I spent 3 years with him at the start of his academic career in Oxford, writing our first few mathematical papers and also spending much of our leisure time together. Coffees after work every day at Brown’s and the St Giles café, various student parties, visits to his home in Morrell Avenue, and an adventurous road trip from Denver to Los Angeles. During this time I counted him as the best of friends, almost as a brother. His warmth, wisdom, gentleness and mischievous sense of fun were an example to us all. I’d like to send his family my most heartfelt condolences on their loss.