In Loving Memory of Dr. Parviz Mohammad Sabour

Dearest friends, family, and colleagues of our beloved Parviz,
Professor Dr. Parviz Mohammad Sabour peacefully took his last breath at 12:30 am EST on April 1, 2025, at a small rural hospital in Smiths Falls, Ontario, just 30 minutes away from his farm, called Golestan.

He was the loving and devoted father of three adult children, Azadeh, Arash, and Camron, and the proud grandfather of Sofija-Laila (13), Emma Yasmin (7), and a soon-to-be grandson (due September 2025). He was a proud godfather to Fiona Mckean and loved her three boys, Tristan (14), Sammy (12), and Fraser (10), like his own grandchildren. He was the dearest of friends to so many worldwide and a mentor and educator to so many more.

He made many contributions to humanity as a well-respected researcher, scientist, and professor – obsessed with asking questions, understanding, and then passionately teaching and passing on knowledge to benefit society. He was immensely proud of contributing to science knowledge in Canada, working for the federal government at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa and Guelph for nearly 30 years. As a professor, he also taught at universities in Tehran, Iran, his home country which he loved dearly, and in the U.S. and Canada.

He was also a humble hobby farmer, most happy with his hands in the dirt growing organic fruits and vegetables at his farm in Portland, Ontario, which he would then pickle, eat, or donate.

He was always trying to do difficult things, like advocate for peace, a decades-long passion for growing pomegranate trees in Ontario’s often harsh climate, and collecting and repairing electronic gadgets of all shapes and sizes, long obsolete (retro-technology), to name a few. Among his many talents, he was a fantastic cook. He was famous for his Fesenjoon, his homemade bread and jams, and hearty soups. He was at his most joyful when he had an audience interested in hearing about food science, micro-biome, gut health, bacteria, viruses, genetics, and his many terrifying and hilarious stories from his life adventures around the world, including surviving the Revolution in Iran.

Parviz was just a few weeks shy of his 89th birthday. We were looking forward to planning a big celebration for him when he turned 90 years old next year. Sadly, a severe hemorrhagic stroke, likely caused by a brain aneurysm, caused a significant neurological event that rendered him unconscious at his farm, where he had just minutes before arrived to begin the potato planting season – which he insisted on doing. We called a trusted neighbour to check in on him. The ambulance was called. He was taken to Smiths Falls Hospital. A CT scan confirmed the probable cause of unconsciousness. No hope for a good recovery. He was kept comfortable until Camron, Arash, Azadeh, and his daughter-in-law, Anastasia, and granddaughter Emma arrived to envelope him with love, hugs, and gentle whispers in his ears. A few hours later, he passed away, being held by Camron. While we are crushed by his sudden passing, we are comforted by the fact that he experienced a relatively quick, peaceful, and unconscious passing, surrounded by loved ones. The emergency doctors and nurses at the small rural hospital in Smiths Falls couldn’t be more compassionate, kind, and caring, and they weren’t shy to give us hugs. These are all small but meaningful blessings.

Those who knew our father well knew that he lived a full life, right to the end, filled with adventure, hardships, challenges, successes, and many joyful and proud moments. Just a few days before, he was enjoying himself at a food science conference in Ottawa for two days, surrounded by his science research community, then visited with both his sons and Emma, cheered for Camron in a rowing competition on Saturday morning, followed by a family dinner, then headed off to the farm to start planting the potatoes. April 1st will now be known to us as planting day. In honour of our father.

Roughly a month before that, he was honoured by the Canadian Society of Iranian Food & Nutritional Scientists (CSIFNS) at a touching event “Celebrating the Inspiring Life and Achievements of Dr. Parviz Sabour.” My father was so grateful and moved by this tribute. I had the great honour and privilege of accompanying him to this event, where upon arrival, I (Azadeh) was asked to say a few words about my father, as a surprise to him. It was terrifying to stand in front of a large audience of my father’s esteemed colleagues and friends to speak from my heart, but I am so glad the CSIFNS asked me to do this! I had no idea this would be my one opportunity to stand in front of my father, among his Iranian friends and scientific students and colleagues, to tearfully tell him what he means to me, how proud I am of him, and how proud I am to be his daughter. Thank you to the CSIFNS for giving my father and I this precious gift. I will forever be grateful.

My brothers and I are so touched by the outpouring of love and support and condolences from so many different groups of people from around the world. It means so much to us during this very sad time. We are so grateful to you all for loving, caring for, and respecting our father. Thank you for being part of his rich life.

To honour our father’s preferences and values, he was cremated on Saturday, April 5, wearing his science lab coat and farming gloves, hat, and shoes, housed in an environmentally friendly plain wooden box, decorated by his children and grandchildren. In the early fall season, we will plant a walnut tree with his ashes at his farm in Portland, Ontario.

We have lost a compassionate, scientific legend, and loving father and friend. We shall honour him by remembering and passing on all that he has taught us.

Sincerely,
Azadeh, Arash, Camron

در گذشت پروفسور دکترپرویز صبور

از شمار دوچشم یک تن کم
از شمار خرد هزاران بیش

با نهایت تاسف و تاثر جامعه علمی و فرهنگی ایرانی -کانادایی یکی از مفاخربرزگ علمی خود را از دست .داد
پروفسور دکترپرویز صبور از اساتید دانشگاه های تهران و کانادا و از بنیان گذاران علم ژنتیک مدرن در ایران
جامعه علمی و فرهنگی ایرانیان را ترک و بدرود حیات گفت
پروفسور دکترصبور پس از تحصیلات دکترای خود در دانشگاه برکلی کالیفرنیا در سال ۱۹۶۹ به ایران برگشتند و در دانشگاه ملی ایران و دانشگاه تهران بتدریس مشغول شدند. دکتر صبور یکی از بنیان گذاران انستیتو بیوفیزیک و بیوشیمی در دانشکده علوم دانشگاه تهران بودند و شاگردان بسیاری را در حوزه ژنتیک مولکولی تربیت نمودند.
پس از انقلاب ایران،دکتر صبور به کانادا عزیمت کرده و در دانشگاه اوتا وا و کارلتون تدریس نمودند. سپس در بخش تحقیقات وزارت کشاورزی کانادا در اوتاوا مشغول تحقیق شدند. در سال ۱۹۹۷ به مرکز تحقیقات وزارت کشاورزی در پارک تحقیقات گولف به تحقیق پرداختند و با دانشکده علم غذا در دانشگاه گولف همکاری نمودند. دکتر صبور بیش از ۱۹۰ مقاله علمی منتشر و صدها سخنرانی در مجامع علمی کانادا و امریکا داشتند.
ایشان عضوانجمن‌های معتبر کانادا و امریکا و همینطور از اعضای برجسته انجمن کانادایی-ایرانی علم غذا و تغذیه، انجمن شناخت و انجمن مهندسین ایرانی- کانادایی بوده و سخنرانی های علمی ارزشمندی را برای جامعه علمی ایرانی ایراد کردند.
درگذشت این فرزانه و فرهیخته علمی را به جامعه فرهیختگان و مردم ایران تسلیت گفته و بقای عمرعزیزانش را ارزومندیم

انجمن علمی و فرهنگی شناخت
انجمنکانادایی-ایرانی علم غذا و تغذیه
کانون مهندس

Tribute by Dr. Andrew M. Kropinski

We are deeply saddened by the news of Parviz's death.  The phage world has lost an important scientist, leader, and mentor.  And those who knew him personally are grieving the loss of a ceaselessly curious, kind, generous, amusing, and inspiring friend. 

My professional relationship with Parviz began in 2004, when my wife, Peggy Pritchard, and I moved to Guelph.  I had taken up a senior scientist position in the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, which was directly across the street from Parviz's laboratory at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada's Guelph Research and Development Centre.  While serving on the same supervisory committees for graduate students from the University of Guelph, we quickly recognized that we shared a common passion for science, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. He was very adaptable, a novel thinker, and delightfully easy to work with.  Our research collaborations resulted in the publication of scientific papers and chapters in each other’s book projects.  In addition, we both attended Betty Kutter’s biennial Evergreen Phage Biology meetings, and the Viruses of Microbes conferences.  Our last conference together was in Guimarães, Portugal, in 2022.

Behind the scenes, Parviz was a discrete and respected confidante of philanthropists. His most recent consultations resulted in the establishment of a Professorship in Bacteriophage Therapy Research & Innovation at the University of Toronto, and support for The Félix d'Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses at L'Université Laval.  These two initiatives have immeasurably strengthen applied phage research in Canada.

Parviz was a gracious host with old world charm, whose generous hospitality was extended to students and colleagues alike.  Peggy and I still recall our first visit to his comfortably furnished and decorated home.  His delicious meal included ingredients from his own garden, and our far-ranging conversation was refreshingly engaging. Thanks to Parviz, Peggy and I have a modest collection of hand-woven carpets, and an enviable amount of Iranian saffron!

A few years ago, Peggy began a PhD in Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College.  Parviz's delight and support meant a the world to her.  She was looking forward to him attending her graduation.

The consummate teacher and story-teller, Parviz spoke knowledgeably about a wide range of subjects from phage therapy and epigenetics to Persian poets.  As I came to know Parviz better, and learn more about his life, I was in awe of what he experienced and achieved.  He had lived an unbelievably full life--scientifically and personally--and I was convinced that he either started graduate school at the age of five, or was 110 when he retired!

It felt as though our dear friend could live forever but, sadly, not so.  We are sorry we didn't have the opportunity to wish you a "Happy Nowruz!" this year, Parviz.

Andrew M. Kropinski, PhD
Emeritus Professor, Microbiology & Immunology, Queen's University
Adjunct Professor, Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
Academician, Georgian National Academy of Sciences
Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology
Actinobacteriophages Study Group Chair, Bacterial Viruses Subcommittee, ICTV
NCBI Viral Genome Advisor
URL: Online Analysis Tools - https://molbiol-tools.ca/
Email: Phage.Canada@gmail.com

Tribute from 3 Iranian Scientific Societies

“Unfortunately, the Iranian-Canadian scientific and cultural community has lost one of its scientific honors”

Professor Dr. Parviz Sabour, a professor at the universities of Tehran and Canada and one of the founders of modern genetics in Iran, left the Iranian scientific and cultural community and said goodbye to life.

After his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Professor Dr. Sabour returned to Iran in 1969 and taught at the National University of Iran and the University of Tehran. Dr. Sabour was one of the founders of the Institute of Biophysics and Biochemistry (IBB) at the Faculty of Science of the University of Tehran and trained many students in the field of molecular genetics. Dr. Sabour conducted extensive research in molecular genetics in Iran and the United States in collaboration with Harvard University.

After the Iranian Revolution, Dr. Sabour moved to Canada and taught at the Universities of Ottawa and Carleton. Then he conducted research at the Research Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa. In 1997, he joined the Research Centre at Guelph Research Park and collaborated with the Faculty of Food Science at the University of Guelph. Dr. Sabour published more than 190 scientific articles and books and delivered hundreds of lectures in scientific societies across Canada and the United States.

He was a member of prestigious societies in Canada and the United States, as well as a prominent member of the Canadian-Iranian Society of Food and Nutrition, the Society of Knowledge, and the Iranian-Canadian Engineers Association, offering valuable scientific lectures to the Iranian scientific community.

We offer our condolences to the Iranian intellectual community and nation on the passing of this wise and learned scientist and extend our heartfelt wishes for strength and comfort to his loved ones.

• Society of Knowledge
• Canadian Iranian Society of Food and Nutrition
• Engineers’ Association

در گذشت پروفسور دکترپرویز صبور

از شمار دوچشم یک تن کم

از شمار خرد هزاران بیش

با نهایت تاسف و تاثر جامعه علمی و فرهنگی ایرانی -کانادایی یکی از مفاخربرزگ علمی خود را از دست ‌داد.

پروفسور دکترپرویز صبور از اساتید دانشگاه های تهران و کانادا و از بنیان گذاران علم ‌ژنتیک مدرن در ایران جامعه علمی و فرهنگی ایرانیان را ترک و بدرود حیات گفت.

پروفسور دکترصبور پس از تحصیلات دکترای خود در دانشگاه برکلی کالیفرنیا در سال ۱۹۶۹ به ایران برگشتند و در دانشگاه ملی ایران و دانشگاه تهران بتدریس مشغول شدند. دکتر صبور یکی از بنیان گذاران انستیتو بیوفیزیک و بیوشیمی در دانشکده علوم دانشگاه تهران بودند و شاگردان بسیاری را در حوزه ژنتیک مولکولی تربیت نمودند.

پس از انقلاب ایران، دکتر صبور به کانادا عزیمت کرده و در دانشگاه اوتاوا و کارلتون تدریس نمودند. سپس در بخش تحقیقات وزارت کشاورزی کانادا در اوتاوا مشغول تحقیق شدند. در سال ۱۹۹۷ به مرکز تحقیقات وزارت کشاورزی در پارک تحقیقات گولف به تحقیق پرداختند و با دانشکده علم غذا در دانشگاه گولف همکاری نمودند. دکتر صبور بیش از ۱۹۰ مقاله علمی منتشر و صدها سخنرانی در مجامع علمی کانادا و امریکا داشتند.

ایشان عضو انجمن‌های معتبر کانادا و امریکا و همینطور از اعضای برجسته انجمن کانادایی-ایرانی علم غذا و تغذیه، انجمن شناخت و انجمن مهندسین ایرانی-کانادایی بوده و سخنرانی‌های علمی ارزشمندی را برای جامعه علمی ایرانی ایراد کردند.

درگذشت این فرزانه و فرهیخته علمی را به جامعه فرهیختگان و مردم ایران تسلیت گفته و بقای عمر عزیزانش را آرزومندیم.

انجمن علمی و فرهنگی شناخت

انجمن کانادایی-ایرانی علم غذا و تغذیه

کانون مهندس

Eulogy for Dr. Parviz Mohammad Sabour, by Azadeh Sabour

My father was just a few days shy of his 89th birthday when he drew his last breath. We used to joke that Parviz had nine lives, because he escaped death so many times throughout his life. It’s still truly hard to believe that he’s gone. In an instant. I miss him very much.

He was so vibrant and busy, lived life on his own terms, with so much determination, right up to his final days. He was baking bread and making stews, germinating seeds in his greenhouse to plant at his farm, and planning his latest trip to Iran, his home country, which he loved so much. He was developing research proposals with other scientists, funding lab research, and still giving scientific lectures, to name a few.

There are moments when grief overwhelms me. I’ve spent hours at his home, surrounded by photographs and mementos, reading your kind messages, and marveling at the stories and pictures you’ve shared.

I am deeply grateful for each memory and message—from friends, family, and colleagues around the world. My brothers and I are blessed by our mother’s loving support, by friends helping us plan this celebration, by my husband Chris’s beautiful photo reels, and by family and friends joining us from afar. With all of you, we are weaving a tapestry of our father’s life. Day by day, I am climbing upward and forward, discovering the beauty in his vibrant, remarkable story.

Today, I want to share that story with you. And as I do, I hope you’ll imagine him here – our professor - correcting my details, going off on tangents, smiling his biggest smile, and sharing his deep, joyful laugh.

My father was born Mohammad Sabour in April 1936, the youngest of three brothers. He entered the world in Nowbahar, a village which has since become the bustling city of Mashhad, in Khorasan, northeastern Iran.

Those early years were unimaginably hard. My father’s mother loved her children so deeply, but the hardships of life meant she was unable to care for her three sons on her own. The boys were sent to live with relatives in Tehran. My father, still a baby, was adopted by a prominent judge and his wife who named him Parviz and raised him through adolescence. That family had a son, Farzad, who now lives in Frankfurt and remained close to my father. My father also stayed close with his birth mother and brothers. The eldest brother Hussein, passed away in Iran in the 1980s, however, Ali Asghar, now in his nineties, lives on in Montreal.

Life in Tehran was also hard. My father was three years old at the start of World War II. He was five when British and Soviet forces—with help from the U.S.—invaded and occupied Iran in 1941. The Allies sought to secure Iranian oil fields, establish border control and supply lines to the Soviet Union, and depose Reza Shah. This, combined with a poor harvest, caused a devastating famine between 1942 and 1944.

During the post war re-building in the 1950s and 60s, Iran received international assistance, including from USAID and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which worked with Iranian institutions to improve agricultural practices and education – support that would go on to shape my father’s life.

At 19, he completed a diploma at the Agricultural Teachers Training School in VarAAmeen, which prepared educators to help advance rural development. We have many pictures of my father during this time, some of which you’ll see today.

He excelled at school, and soon became a Farm Manager at an experimental vegetable and poultry farm, then worked as an Agriculture and Poultry Specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture in Rasht, northern Iran.

His academic success gave him an opportunity: acceptance into Utah State University. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1963, then moved on to the University of California, Berkely, where he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics.

Berkeley in the 1960s was alive with progressive politics, civil rights, and the anti-Vietnam War movement. You’ll see photos my father took of the thousands of anti-war student protestors at the historic Stop the Draft Week in October 1967 – he was passionately anti-war and on the right side of history.

My father formed life-long friendships in Berkley, friendships that transcend time, distance, and life changes. Among them, Dale.

Dale Whiteside - a fashionable, blond-haired, blue-eyed Canadian who was deeply interested in ideas, culture, and the world. She was working in a science lab at Berkeley in 1964 and learning, of all things, Farsi. Dale and Parviz became best friends, shared wonderful youthful adventures, and travelled together to Iran in 1969, just after my father’s doctoral studies.

Dale found work at the Canadian Embassy in Tehran as an English/Farsi translator for Iranian students traveling to Canada. The friendship endured long after Dale left Tehran and returned to Canada.

In the early 1970s, my father began teaching as an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Molecular Biology at the National University of Iran. Not long after, he achieved full professorship.

Along the way, he met my mother, Nahid. She was a beautiful young student with long dark wavy hair, who happened to take one of his genetics courses. Romantic bonds formed. Parviz and Nahid got married in January 1974. Twelve months later, I was born, followed a few years later by my brother, Arash. My father’s career grew: he became one of the founders of the Institute of Biophysics and Biochemistry at the University of Tehran, training many students in the field of molecular genetics.

But again, political forces intervened. In 1979, the anti-Shah Iranian Revolution succeeded, and replaced Iran’s Western-backed monarchy with an Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini. We lived under the new Islamic regime for months, experiencing an increasingly theocratic and totalitarian regime that sought to control every aspect of public life. Then things got even worse: Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran. We lived in constant fear. There were bombing campaigns every day.

My father decided it was safest to leave Iran. By good fortune, Dale and her husband Bruce – now members of Canada’s foreign service - were posted to Cairo and offered to take us in. My mother stayed behind for a few months to finish her degree in Biology. With two small children in tow and just a few bags, we fled one night by bus to Istanbul, then flew to Cairo into the warm embrace of Dale and Bruce. We lived with Dale and Bruce, and baby daughter Fiona, for several months until our landed immigrant papers were ready. Finally, we began our next journey: this time to Canada.

We flew to Montreal, where my uncle Ali Asghar had settled with his family after leaving Iran, himself. My father has told this story many times. We arrived in Montreal in the dead of winter. He had only enough Canadian dollars to share a taxi from the Montreal airport to his brother’s home. If his brother hadn’t opened the door on that cold wintery night, he did not have another plan. Thankfully, Ali Asghar was home and welcomed us. My uncle and his family were generous and kind, caring for us until my mother could join us too.

In 1981, we moved to Ottawa to start a new life. Soon after, my parents welcomed another son, Camron. Those first years in Canada were difficult for our family, but through hard work and perseverance, my parents built meaningful careers, both dedicated to public service and to the advancement of scientific research and health.

Our family life became deeply intertwined with Dale, Bruce, and Fiona, which has been an enormous blessing. Fiona became the best sister you could imagine, and Dale and Bruce brought us so much kindness, joy, and comfort.

Imagine this: Just one month before my father passed away, he asked me to format his resume. It was 72 pages long, including all his scientific publications and citations. I managed to create an abridged copy that is 18 pages long. It’s available upon request. He made many contributions to humanity. He conducted extensive research and taught at universities including Ottawa, Carleton, Guelph, Purdue, and Harvard. He worked as a research scientist for the federal government at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa and Guelph for nearly 30 years. He published more than 190 scientific articles, published books, gave hundreds of lectures around the world, and was a prominent member of many prestigious national and international scientific societies—including the first proud member of Phage Canada.

But as children, we didn’t really know all these details about our father’s life or his scientific achievements. Instead, he inspected our food, lectured us about prebiotics and probiotics, eating natural foods from the earth, limiting processed foods, and trying to keep a healthy gut microbiome. He encouraged us to drink kefir and fresh ginger tea with turmeric and pepper. He was curious about our poop and whether we had healthy bowel functions. He taught us how to play competitive backgammon and chess, how to make yogurt, how to grow a garden, and take care of our plants.

Hours after his sudden death, Camron and I sat in his farmhouse and walked around his beloved property, still in shock. It looked like a flea market. It turns out my father also loved retro gadgets. We found old vacuum cleaners, old computers, scanners, printers, cameras, dozens of cables, and my favourite, the vibrating machine astronauts used to exercise in space, called Der Triumph. I can picture him telling me about each obsolete tool, a gleam in his eye, a big full laugh, and somehow – a lesson always hidden in his stories.

But I shouldn’t have been surprised—one of my favourite memories with him was the blackout of 2003—one of the largest in North America. It lasted days. I took the bus from Toronto to Guelph to check on him. I didn’t need to worry. He had enough gadgets to survive an apocalypse. He set up a fire-burning BBQ to cook dinner in his backyard, then brought out a large telescope which we set up in a nearby park. Passersby joined us, marvelling at the night sky’s beauty.

He did that always: taught us to marvel at the world, showed us its beauty, even in the hardship. He did that as a father and grandfather, as a scientist, and as a joyful and loyal friend.

His ability to tell a good story made him an incredible mentor to so many. We have been overwhelmed by messages from former students and colleagues sharing his ability to inspire young minds, of his passion for science, his commitment to excellence, and his belief in using knowledge to improve the world around him. He was famous for showing his love and devotion by cooking for you, or handing you a plant that he’d grown from seed – so confident that you could nurture and care for it.

I will hold onto my father’s story, to his love, his lessons. When I listen to the exquisite operatic voice of Maria Callas that he loved so much, when I drink my kefir, when I water his plants, when I smell his hats. He’s with me.

My family and I thank you all for joining us today to reflect on and celebrate our father. Thank you.

Tribute by Fiona McKean

What I will miss most about Parviz is his voice. If you close your eyes and really listen, I’m sure you can hear him:

• He’s telling you to put high-fat plain yogurt on that skin condition you’ve been ignoring.
• He’s explaining how phages kill viruses without harming other cells.
• He’s telling you to make your own ginger tea instead of buying the packets because really, Fiona, you’re losing most of the benefit once it’s in a mass-produced pack (fine! I’ll make my own ginger tea, Amu).
• He’s showing you how to make the best bread you’ve ever tasted.
• He’s telling your teenaged self to think from first principles and not follow blindly.
• He’s sharing the story, for the 500th time, about sailing to America and ending up at university in Utah living with a Mormon family and raising chickens for 25 cents an hour. Even in repetition, it’s still funny.
• He’s telling you that he loves you. He was so open with his love.

Love of life, love of humanity, love of curiosity. He was a Professor of love.

What a lovely voice,
Teaching us of life
Biology, virology, a history of strife.
Wondrous, ponderous
Calm and filled with resonance
A Professor of Love eternal.

Fiona

Poetry Reading by Sepand Siassi & Meghan Hanley

Introduction to Persian Poetry

Sepand:My name is Sepand Siassi. My parents, Dr. Fereydoun Siassi and Shahed Amiri have been very close friends with Parviz since the early 70s. My father met Parviz through mutual friends at the University of Tehran while Parviz was working at the Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics. Our families have been very close for three generations, in Iran and in Canada. I’ve travelled from Barcelona, where I now live, to be here with you today and to represent my family.

Amu Parviz was like an uncle to my brother and I, and we both love him dearly. Throughout the day, I am constantly reminded of him and his wisdom. Normally, very few people outside your own immediate family leave such a lasting impression that you think of them every single day—but he did. The microscopic description of what happens when you brush your teeth… or when you drink a glass of kefir; how to make yogurt; how to manage my road rage; …… EVERY SINGLE TIME I see an insect, I’m reminded of Amu Parviz’s gentle voice telling me that this too was their home long before it became mine. I continue to cherish the beautiful citrus tree he bought as a gift for the birth of my son. He was not only one of the smartest people I knew, but also one of the kindest—truly gentle, deeply caring—and I miss him dearly.

Meghan: My name is Meghan Hanley. I first met Parviz at Dale, Bruce and Fiona’s house in Ottawa, over 20 years ago. That first night, he taught me that the best rice is at the bottom of the pot and had the whole table enraptured by his story of – yet another – near death experience. Parviz became part of the fabric of my life, and the lives of my children. He taught us to move slowly, to observe deeply, to ask why, and how and what if, and to have faith in the smallest seedling. Two years ago, Parviz gave us a small mulberry tree that he’d grown from a cutting. Days after he died, I realized that I’d left it out all winter, unprotected. It looked lifeless. I scratched the bark. Green. I placed it in the sun, fertilized it, watered it. Its leaves popped out yesterday. Life. Amu, I promise I’ll care for it.

Sepand and I are here to share a selection of Persian poems with you. Among the many things Parviz loved about Iran was its poetry. As I began to read the poets that Parviz knew so well, Dale said to me spontaneously: “In Iran, …poetry is life!” Poetry is not just read in books: it’s quoted in everyday conversation, inscribed on buildings, woven into carpets, and recited at gatherings, like today.

Sepand: Persian poetry is the soul of its culture—deeply expressive and intertwined with daily life. Parviz had several favourite poets, including centuries-old Hafez, Rumi, and Ferdowsi.

He also deeply admired the poetry of Omar Khayyam - the 11th-century Persian poet, mathematician, and philosopher, best known for The Rubáiyát, which was translated into English and popularized by British writer, Edward FitzGerald, in the 1800s.

The book of Rubáiyát offers profound reflections in quatrains, or four-line poems. We will read a selection of them in Farsi, with artistic translations in English.

Quatrain 1 from book of Rubáiyát:

خیام اگر ز باده مستی خوش باش
با ماهرخی اگر نشستی خوش باش
چون عاقبت کار جهان نیستی اَست
انگار که نیستی، چو هستی خوش باش

Literal English Translation
If you are intoxicated with wine, enjoy!
If you are seated with a lover of thine, enjoy!
In the end, the Void the whole world employ,
Imagine thou art not, while waiting in line, enjoy!

More lyrical Fitzgerald translation: In life, devote yourself to joy and love Behold the beauty of the peaceful dove Those who live, must in the end perish Live as if you are already in heavens above

Quatrain 2 from book of Rubáiyát

ابر آمد و باز بر سر سبزه گریست
بی بادهٔ گل‌رنگ نمی‌باید زیست
این سبزه که امروز تماشاگه ماست
تا سبزهٔ خاک ما تماشاگه کیست

English translation:
“A cloud came and wept more over the grass
Without rose-coloured wine, life cannot pass
This grass that today is our place of delight
Whose dust will it be, when our time has passed?”

Quatrain 3 from book of Rubáiyát

یک چند به کودکی به استاد شدیم
یک چند به استادی خود شاد شدیم
پایان سخن شنو که ما را چه رسید
از خاک در آمدیم و بر باد شدیم

English translation:
“With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow,
And with mine own hand labored it to grow;
And this was all the Harvest that I reap’d—
I came like Water, and like Wind I go."

Conclusion

It’s truly incredible that the meanings of these poems continue to ring true hundreds of years after they were written.

We close with a beautiful and fitting poem inspired by Ferdowsi - one of the greatest and most influential figures in Persian literature and cultural history. While this poem is not a literal translation, it’s a modern interpretation that echoes themes that Ferdowsi powerfully conveys throughout his epic book called the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). The Shahnameh, published in the 11th century, speaks to legacy, honor, and the enduring power of a good name—something many Iranians, especially of Parviz’s generation, held sacred.

"When you are gone, leave behinde a legacy of worth,
For it is a good name that lives on after a man.
Be remembered for kindness and noble deeds,
When you stand with your soul before the Judge.
Let this be your memorial in the world-
For an honourable name is all that remains."

Speech by Dean Lucie Thibault

University of Ottawa: Nutrition Sciences & Gut Microbiome

At the University of Ottawa, we share Parviz’s passion for understanding the role of the gut microbiome in health—and in mental health in particular. His support and advocacy meant a great deal to our Faculty of Health Sciences as we built, from scratch, a new School of Nutrition Sciences and both undergraduate and graduate food-science programs.

This massive undertaking—led by Susan Tosh (who, like Krista, was a long-time colleague and friend of Parviz)—involved:

• Designing and launching new courses
• Building state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories
• Developing a collaborative research agenda to explore how diet, nutrition, and the gut microbiome influence depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses

Thanks to these efforts, we successfully attracted a critical mass of young researchers from diverse fields to drive breakthroughs in nutrition-and-mental-health research.

Today, I am honored to announce that the University will name two scholarships in Parviz’s memory:

• Dr. Parviz Sabour Nutrition and Mental Health Master’s Scholarship

These awards are a fitting tribute to Parviz—a man of science who was always curious, always learning, and always caring for his students. His legacy will live on through every student these scholarships support.

Speech by Dr. Greg German

Phages & Parviz: A Legacy of Impact

Good afternoon. I am Dr. Greg German, co‑founder of Phage Canada, physician, and Professor of Bacteriophage Therapy at the University of Toronto.

Parviz was a phage in many ways. Phages are bacterial viruses that specifically target harmful bacteria, replicating at the site of infection to produce 60–300 new phages. In that metaphor, Parviz would have been the 300—expanding his positive impact exponentially.

• Phages target bad bacteria and multiply locally, amplifying their effect.
• Parviz always had a pulse on where to do the greatest good and spread knowledge.

Dr. Hany Anany (Agriculture & Agri‑Food Canada, who succeeded Parviz’s lab in Guelph) is here today with five colleagues. He shares:

“Your light, your generosity, and your spirit… Parviz had a way of making everyone around him feel seen, valued, and inspired. His deep knowledge, humility, and warmth touched so many lives—mine perhaps most deeply. Your legacy will continue in every step I take and in every student and project touched by your influence.”

Like phages, which out‑evolve bacteria, Parviz out‑evolved with the times—always thinking three moves ahead, solving challenges with kindness and a disarming approach.

Also attending is Dr. Andrew Kropinski with his wife, Ms. Peggy Pritchard, who offer:

“Ceaselessly curious, kind, generous, amusing, and inspiring friend. Gracious host with old‑world charm. Discrete and respected philanthropy advisor and contributor… leading to major work in microbiome research and precision tools to modify the microbiome through phage therapy.”

Parviz was a connector and catalyst—linking those hungry for science with those ready for action. Phages penetrate places antibiotics can’t—like prosthetic joints—and persist. Parviz provided that spark countless times. He was also the first member of Phage Canada, generously funding our growth from a handful to over 70 members.

Phages are timeless—pre‑antibiotic, companies like Eli Lilly, Abbott, and the Pasteur Institute produced phages to treat infections. Parviz encouraged us all to “grow,” much like the pomegranate (Anar) he cherished as a symbol of fertility, blessings, and anti‑aging. He often carried seeds with him on his travels, nurturing both plants and people.

My research team recently submitted a groundbreaking Canadian clinical trial on urinary tract infections for publication. If accepted, it will be offered in Parviz’s honour and memory.

We have lost one of our most dedicated champions of goodness and knowledge, but his memory, his legacy, his smile lives on in us and all whom we touch.

Phage on, Parviz.

Speech by Dr. Krista Power

Mentorship & Scientific Collaboration

Hello everyone. My name is Dr. Krista Power, and I’m honoured to speak alongside Dean Lucie Thibault of uOttawa’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

Before sharing my memories of Parviz, I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and friends. It’s a privilege to join you in celebrating the life of such a remarkable person.

Early Encounters & Mentorship

I first met Parviz at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Guelph Food Research Centre in spring 2008, when I joined as a research scientist fresh from my graduate studies. Nervous and uncertain, I was fortunate to be assigned an office next to Parviz. His door was always open; his warmth and genuine curiosity quickly made him both mentor and friend.

He possessed a unique ability to connect ideas across disciplines, guiding my research on fiber-rich plant foods and their impact on health. Daily discussions in his office shaped my work in new and exciting directions.

Collaborations & Contributions

• Influenced my research program on diet–microbiome interactions through his expertise in the gut microbiome.
• Pioneered bacteriophage alternatives to antibiotics, advancing food safety and sustainability.
• Supported the establishment of uOttawa’s nutrition, microbiome, and mental health research agenda after my transition to academia.

Final Moments & Enduring Legacy

In March of this year, Parviz joined us for Nutrition Research Day at uOttawa. He toured our new facilities with genuine excitement, engaged students with thoughtful questions, and left everyone smiling. His enthusiasm for science and his care for students remain an inspiration.

Parviz will be deeply missed by me and by so many whose lives and work he touched. His legacy lives on through the researchers he mentored, the programs he helped build, and the curiosity he ignited in all of us.

Speech by Dr. Roya Riazi

Celebration of Life & Persian Verse

باور نمی‌کند دل من مرگ دوست را
نه نه من این یقین را
باور نمی‌کنم

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I am Dr. Roya Riazi, President of CSIFNS, and I have the honour today to share a few words celebrating the extraordinary life of Dr. Sabour—a brilliant scientist, dedicated mentor, and above all, a cherished friend and human being.

Dr. Sabour was, in every sense, a guiding light—professionally and personally. Despite his many achievements, he never boasted. Instead, he shared his wisdom generously—through quiet conversations, kind words of encouragement, and by leading by example. He taught us not just the science, but the importance of perseverance, humility, and the joy of meaningful work.

Beyond his professional life, Dr. Sabour was a true friend: someone you could always count on, who listened without judgment, supported without hesitation, and showed kindness in both grand and subtle ways.

His legacy lives on not only through his discoveries and research contributions, but in the countless lives he touched and hearts he inspired—especially his beloved children.

As we say goodbye today, let us remember the many ways Dr. Sabour made us better—not just as professionals, but as human beings. Thank you, Dr. Sabour, for everything. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

تا دوست داری‌ام تا دوست دارمت
تا اشک ما به گونه هم می‌چکد ز مهر
تا هست در زمانه یکی جان دوستدار
کی مرگ می‌تواند
نام تو را ببرد از یاد روزگار

Thank you,
Roya Riazi
President, CSIFNS

Speech by Dr. Susan Tosh

Building Nutrition Sciences & Mental Health Research

Hello, I am Dr. Susan Tosh. I recently retired from the University of Ottawa, where I served as Director of the School of Nutrition Sciences.

Early Collaboration

When I became a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Guelph Food Research Centre, I was assigned the office beside Parviz’s. We spent countless hours discussing our research plans and objectives. He taught me invaluable lessons on gut microbiota and genetics.

Establishing uOttawa’s Nutrition Program

About two months after I transitioned to the University of Ottawa to establish a new School of Nutrition Sciences, Parviz visited to offer guidance:

• He recommended a research focus on the linkage between gut microbiota and mental health.
• He assisted us in securing support for that objective.
• He made a generous personal donation to equip our labs and fund student research.

Thanks to his support, our School quickly became a leader in nutrition and mental health research.

Memorable Moments

On March 27, 2025, I shared dinner with Parviz, Meghan Hanley, and Krista Power. Parviz was energetic, sharing stories and laughter. The next day at Nutrition Research Day, he engaged with students, asked insightful questions, and ended the event with a warm hug—all just three days before his sudden passing.

Honoring His Legacy

I will always remember Parviz as a dedicated scientist who truly cared for student learning and advancement. It is my pleasure to announce that the University of Ottawa will name two scholarships in his honour:

• Dr. Parviz Sabour Nutrition and Mental Health Doctoral Scholarship
• Dr. Parviz Sabour Nutrition and Mental Health Master’s Scholarship

— Dr. Susan Tosh,
Retired Professor, University of Ottawa
Former Research Scientist, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada’s Guelph Food Research Centre

Speech by Mehran Mohaghegh

Condolences from the Mohandes Association

My name is Mehran Mohaghegh. As a board member of the Association of Iranian Engineers and Architects in Canada (the Mohandes Association), I extend our deepest condolences for the loss of our close friend and esteemed colleague, Professor Parviz Sabour.

His passing is a profound sorrow for all of us. Professor Sabour was a tireless educator, a brilliant researcher, an innovator, and a deeply committed member of our community.

While words cannot ease the pain of his family and friends, please know we stand with you during this difficult time. Though Professor Sabour has departed from this world, his spirit and legacy remain ever-present in our hearts.

The loss of Professor Parviz Sabour—a distinguished university professor and genetic scientist—has plunged us into deep mourning. All who knew him will testify to not only his scientific brilliance and unparalleled wisdom but also to his purity of heart and inner beauty. The Mohandes Association extends its condolences to friends, relatives, and the Iranian scientific community at home and abroad; we share in your grief.

Ferdowsi’s Reflection on Life

هر آن کس که ز مادر زاد است بمرد
ز دست اجل هیچ کس جان نبرد

Though Parviz is no longer among us, he lives on in our souls and minds through countless memories and legacies.

As Ferdowsi reminds us, only one’s record remains—and Dr. Sabour’s record in science and humanity is exceptionally honorable. His name is inscribed with dignity in the chronicle of history.

Words of Khwaja Shiraz

بر این رواق پرچین نوشته‌اند به زر
که جز نیکی اهل کرم نخواهد ماند

Persian Verse

گلچین روزگار عجب خوش سلیقه است
می‌چیند آن گلی که به عالم نمونه است

در گذشت پروفسور پرویز صبور استاد برجسته دانشگاه و دانشمند علم ژنتیک، همه ما را در ماتمی عمیق فرو برد. همه کسانی که از نزدیک با او آشنا بودند علاوه بر شخصیت علمی و فرزانگی بی‌بدیل او، بر پاک‌دلی و صفای باطن او نیز شهادت خواهند داد. کانون مهندس در گذشت این استاد برجسته، که به‌حق یکی از مفاخر علمی ما ایرانیان خارج‌کشور بود، به همه دوستان، آشنایان، و جامعه علمی ایرانیان داخل و خارج کشور تسلیت می‌گوید و خود را در این سوگ شریک می‌داند.

Mehran Mohaghegh
Board Member, Mohandes Association

Eulogy by Camron Sabour

Eulogy for Dad — Speaking Notes

Dad was known for his zest for life, his hard work, his compassion, and his commitment to his friends and family.

In a few minutes, I won't be able to represent the totality of his life, but I will share some stories and visceral memories of my dad.

To teach me hard work, he told me about his life — how he came on a boat to Utah from Iran.

Before leaving Iran, many friends and family gave him money for his travels and tuition. Those people are the enablers of his life, and for that, I am eternally grateful — for giving Dad a chance — his big shot in the Western world.

That being said, Dad being Dad, he wasn't particularly great at managing his funds. He told me he spent too much of his money on gifts for people in America.

By the time he finally arrived at the University of Utah, his money had gotten so low I think he could barely afford his first tuition payments.

To support himself, he worked on a poultry farm.

He described his hardships: unable to buy regular food, relying on donated eggs from the chickens he raised, making ash from the chicken feed, and living on the farm where he worked.

He got to classes by bicycle — something that society looked down upon at the time. He described how drivers, usually in pickup trucks, would yell at him as they drove by, harassing him for riding his bike to school.

On his first math test, he was shocked at how poorly he did. From that moment on, he became determined to be the best in his class.

He would stay up late after working all day on the farm, keeping his feet in cold water to stay awake while finishing his math assignments.

Assignments were due first thing in the morning, and he was proud to say that he graduated at the top of his class.

After he finished his undergrad, he went to Berkeley for his PhD.

He described how his work ethic had changed — he was more into extracurricular activities and a little less focused than at Utah.

But his brilliance was unmatched.

He developed new techniques in science, becoming world-famous for injecting DNA directly into the nucleus of a cell.

His PhD was groundbreaking — the discovery of honeybee genetics, specifically how feeding royal jelly to larvae produces queens.

Here are some visceral memories of my dad — a scientist and a rebel, like Freeman Dyson.

When I was a kid, maybe three or four years old, I asked my dad if it would be okay to eat ants. Being the scientist that he was, wanting to teach me about survival and nutrition, he said people around the world do eat ants — and that it was safe.

So when I was in the garden, I tried to eat ants. They were way too acidic. I don't recommend it.

He also encouraged me to grow things in the garden — like squash.

I remember Dad singing Persian songs to me.

One of them went something like this — a kids' game where you have to raise your hand before the meal when the singer says, "Who wants some bread and cheese?"
Tap tap khamir,
shishe por panir,
dasto ki bala.

I remember the feeling of being saved by Dad.

When I was crawling under the fence at 55 McLeod — not far from here — I got stuck. After crying for help, Dad came, assessed the situation, got some butter to lubricate my ears, and after about ten minutes of fiddling, he saved me.

It’s one of my earliest memories of Dad.

When Dad told me stories about his childhood, he talked about sitting at the korsi — a heated table with a heavy blanket, surrounded by family, eating, studying, doing homework, celebrating nights like Shab-e Yalda — the winter solstice.

I remember the smell and sound of adventure, riding with Dad in the Yellow Submarine — his old VW Westfalia camper.

Does anyone else remember that thing?

I remember the smell and taste of fresh peaches we filled the camper with from a government farm. They weren’t allowed to be sold at the market — they were experimental research peaches — but they were absolutely delicious. We ate them all year, because Dad was so resourceful about preserving food.

About the camper — it was a lovely thing he was proud of, though sometimes he did get a little embarrassed showing up at fancy doctor events, where everyone else drove Mercedes. Sometimes it was called the pet-pet machine for the strange sounds it made in a world of modern cars.

The smell of walnut trees...

At his lab — the Ottawa Laboratory at the Central Experimental Farm — he would take me with him in the summers, because childcare was too expensive back then.

I had access to cutting-edge computers and the internet — in 1994! I would surf strange things, like looking up the inside of a cow’s eyeball, and playing classical computer games.

At lunchtime, he’d walk with me to the Central Farm, and we’d break walnuts open under the tree with rocks. I can still smell the bitter skins, feel the staining on my fingers. And the walnuts — were delicious.

The feeling of being cared for...

I remember his hearty Persian soups, stews, and dishes: ash reshteh, abgoosht, gheimeh, fesenjoon, ghormeh sabzi — and they were always delicious.

In a world of fast food, he taught me about natural flavors, good combinations, and good health — something he cared deeply about.

Fast forward to just last summer — I struggled to keep up with this 87-year-old man working in the field.

I often had to take breaks — he was wearing me out! I mentioned my frustration, and later he texted: "I suggest you check your thyroid hormone levels. Most doctors assume all is well with young people."

He was always thinking about how to help.

The feeling of caring for the Earth...

In a world of fast fashion, fast food, and hyper-consumerism, Dad produced almost no waste. He didn’t just say he was an environmentalist — he lived it.

He avoided buying foods wrapped in plastic. He composted food scraps with worms — red wrigglers. He rarely bought new clothes, never chasing fashion trends.

If you look at his wardrobe now, the newest item is probably 30 years old. He stuck with classic styles — tweed jackets, Italian suits — and he watched his weight, so he never needed a new wardrobe. (Something I think I should work on myself!)

Lastly, I want to talk about his dream — his vision for Golestan Farm.

He dreamed it would be an extension of his own life — a place where his children and grandchildren could enjoy the orchard. He wanted it to be an eco-hostel — a place where young people could stay and learn about organic farming. He wanted it to outlive him.

He searched long and hard for the perfect place. He chose Portland, Ontario, largely to be close to his best friends, and because it was halfway between Ottawa and Toronto where his kids lived.

He planted many trees — we planted many trees together. Emma even enjoyed planting trees with her grandfather a few years ago. Last year, Dad was proud to see the first mulberries ripening.

We will continue that vision — growing food, welcoming friends, keeping his spirit alive in the land he loved.

Please feel free to stop by Golestan Farm on Highway 15. Everyone is welcome who wants to learn about organic farming and a sustainable way of life.

Thank you for coming today. I look forward to hearing your stories about my dad.

Speech by Shohre Mahdi

Kindness, Wisdom & Scientific Humanity

Introduction & Shock

My name is Shohre Mahdi from the Shenakht Association. It is a privilege to speak to Dr. Sabour’s family, friends, and colleagues today. His sudden passing was a profound shock to us all—he had touched each of our lives with his thoughtfulness and generosity.

Mission & Vision

Dr. Sabour’s mission and vision shone through his remarkable education, his work as a dedicated professor, his groundbreaking research in genetics, and his engaging presentations to both academic and public audiences. He demonstrated limitless love for his children and goddaughter, and his scientific mind amplified his innate kindness.

Non‑Judgmental Generosity

He spoke about life experiences without judgment and offered a helping hand whenever and wherever needed. These admirable traits—rooted in his scientific curiosity—made him a beacon of support and inspiration.

Testimony from Colleagues

Although time is limited, I must convey Mr. Kashani’s admiration for Dr. Sabour’s ability to weave humanistic messages into his scientific work. I also quote Mr. Asrani verbatim:

“His dedication to knowledge was not confined to the classroom or to the labs.”

Closing & Persian Verse

Dear Dr. Sabour, you are deeply missed and will remain in our hearts and thoughts for a long time. To Azadeh, Arash, Camron, and Fiona—you have our love and respect.

آقای دکتر پرویز صبور، دانشمند ایرانی و دوست عزیزمان درگذشت، اما او در دل و ذهنمان زنده خواهد ماند.

Thank you,
Shohre Mahdi
Shenakht Association