Died: October 30, 2018
Shams Bhaloo came to Yale, and Silliman College, from very far away – Zanzibar, Tanzania, where he had prepared at the Aga Khan School and the King George VI School. He majored in History, played tennis for Silliman and was a member of Dwight Hall and Berzelius. After Yale, he earned his MA in History at Boston University and then briefly taught mathematics in Orange and New Haven, Connecticut. From there, Shams became a manager and then owner of restaurants in Connecticut, Florida and Georgia. At the time of his death on October 30, 2018, he was an investor and Director of Unicare Retirement Homes, a company managing assisted living facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Throughout his life he was a Member of His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for United States, serving as its acting president and president from 1975 through 1984. He also served on the International Arbitration Council of the Council and as the Editor of the monthly publication, The Ismaili USA. His service led to him being bestowed with High Title (honorary) by His Highness the Aga Khan. In addition to his tireless community and volunteer work, Shams remained devoted to Yale. He and his wife, Dr. Sheini Bhaloo, are the proud parents of two sons, Rafik and Rahim. Shams was thrilled to return to Yale to watch his younger son, Rafik, compete in an international squash tournament held at the Brady Squash Center.
Shams died from complications arising from a fall that left him partially paralyzed in the last months of his life.