Delta dad who drowned saving his daughter from waterfall on Father’s Day remembered as helpful family man

KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) — A Delta dad who died after rescuing his 13-year-old daughter from a waterfall near Kelowna on Father’s Day is being remembered as someone who loved his family, was helpful, and always smiling.

Kashif Sheikh, 46, joined Nationwide Realty Corp. in Surrey as a realtor in January.

He also worked at Vancouver International Airport in a security role, said Ray Arneja, managing broker for Nationwide.

“The first thing he told me, I am joining your brokerage because I really want to do real-estate full-time so I can spend more time with my family,” Arneja said.

Sheikh was part of a mentorship-sponsored program at Nationwide, which he was scheduled to complete by August.

“He was always smiling, no matter, always smiling, always, always relaxed,” said Arneja, who learned of Sheik’s death late Sunday in a text message.

“He was so eager to help everyone, not just his clients, even fellow realtors. He wanted to share all the knowledge he had,” Arneja added.

“I have never seen him with a frown on his face.”

My Good friend Kashif Sheikh, Tragically drowned and lost his life, while saving her daughter,I will miss you Kashif Sheikh. pic.twitter.com/uV2gr3VtRt

— Dil Apna Pakistan وینکور کی جان دل اپنا پاکستان (@intio5) June 22, 2020

Emergency crews rushed to the Mill Creek waterfall at Old Vernon and Spencer roads after receiving a 911 call about a drowning incident around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

“Police have learned the victim had been in the waterfall with his family when he entered the water to help his daughter, who had slipped in,” Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said.

“She was able to get to shore, but he was not.”

Noseworthy added bystanders pulled the man from the water and began CPR efforts, which paramedics took over when they arrived.

“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved,” she added, “the 46-year-old man could not be resuscitated and he passed away.”

Noseworthy only confirmed the man was from the Lower Mainland.

RCMP victim services are providing support to the witnesses and the victim’s family.

The B.C. Coroners Service is also investigating to determine how, where, when, and by what means he came to his death.

Due to the privacy of the deceased, neither organization will be releasing or confirming identity.

He has been identified throughout social media as Sheikh.

A GoFundMe page set up Monday afternoon has raised tens of thousands of dollars for his family.