Obituaries
Samuel Mathai
Samuel Mathai
[Dec 12, 1947 - January 22, 2023]
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day”
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Samuel Mathai (Babykutty) 75, entered into heavenly abode on January 22, 2023. He was born on December 12, 1947 to the late Mr. T. M Samuel and Mrs. Rachel Samuel, Mangalathu Bethel, Venmony, Alapuzha. He grew up with four sisters, Gracy, Mariamma (Ammini), Aleyamma (Molly), Annamma (Valsa), whom he helped raise while their father was away for work in the Indian government.
He graduated high school with honors in 1964. In 1969, Samuel Mathai received his Bachelors degree, with Honors, in Organic Chemistry from NSS College, Pandalam, Kerala.
At his home parish, Sehion Mar Thoma Church, Venmony, he was among the founding members of the Youth League, taught as a Sunday School and VBS teacher, and performed as a choir coordinator. His lifelong devotion to Christ and his unwavering faith in God fueled his passion for service to the Church, and for his kindhearted altruism to family, friends, and neighbors alike.
After his education, he had briefly worked as a chemistry teacher in a private college. In 1973, he was one among the three selected out of thousands to work for the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau, where he completed his 33 years of service. He had been stationed all over India throughout the span of his career,and had personally escorted the late Indian Prime Minister, Mrs.Indira Gandhi, as well as other VIPs.
He married Aleyamma Thomas (Ammukutty) of the Kochu-Vadakedathu family, Edayaranmula, on Jan 14th 1980. They have two sons Sam Mathew and Tom Mathew.
After opting for a voluntary retirement from his rank of Deputy Superintendent in 2006, he migrated to the US, joining his wife and children.
Samuel Mathai was an active member of The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey since he came to New Jersey.
His sense of humor and sharp wit always brought a smile to friends and family alike. He was very intelligent and held a broad spectrum of knowledge on various topics ranging from Calculus to Shakespeare. He was family oriented, modest, well-disciplined and left a legacy that will be cherished forever. And above all, he was God-fearing man who built his faith on the foundation of Rock that is Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer.
He passed away on Sunday, January 22nd 2023 at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, NJ, surrounded by family and friends. He is now safe in the arms of the Lord whom he served his entire life, and is finally reunited with his forebears.
Details of Wake and funeral service:
Click here for Live Video Stream during the below services.
Friday, 27 Jan 2023
Viewing: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Funeral service: 7.30 PM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Saturday, 28 Jan 2023
Viewing: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Funeral service : 10.00 AM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Interment: Gate of Heaven Cemetery (225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936)
Alex Idiculla
Alex Idiculla
[May 14, 1942 - December 4, 2022]
Alex Idiculla (Baby Idiculla) aged 80, entered into the heavenly abode on December 4, 2022. Alex Idiculla was born on May 14, 1942, to Pallivadakkethil family in Kottarakara, Kerala to the late Mr. and Mrs. Idiculla. The youngest of 8 siblings, he was affectionately called Baby, Babypan, and Babychayan by his family and friends.
Alex and his wife of 49 years, Mariam, made America their home in 1996. He studied at Fathima College, Kollam, Kerala, and moved to Mumbai to work for the electricity board. After a while, he returned to Kerala to operate his own business before leaving for the United States. Mathew and Ramani (Mariam's sister) Kurian were one of his dearest family that equipped him to balance his life here in the United States. He was known to be a passionate volleyball player and enjoyed playing carrom board games with his sons.
Alex regularly attended The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey since he arrived in the States.
Alex leaves behind his beloved wife Mariam, his sons Ashok and Anup, daughter-in-laws Priya (Preethi) and Prabha, and his grandkids Keziah, Jairuz, Kenzie, Maya, and Milan. He is also survived by siblings E. George and E. Kunjutty.
Alex is well loved and cared for by both sides of his family and will be dearly and deeply missed.
Details of Wake and funeral service:
Click here for Live Video Stream
Thursday, 8 Dec 2022
Viewing: 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Funeral service: 7.30 PM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Friday, 9 Dec 2022
Viewing: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Funeral service : 10.00 AM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Interment: Gate of Heaven Cemetery (225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936)
Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
[April 27, 1945 – August 31, 2021]
Roy Thomas, 76, was called to the Lord on August 31, 2021. He was born on April 27, 1945 to the late T.B. Thomas and Kunjunjamma Thomas of the Thazhavaneth family in Venmoney, Kerala, India as the firstborn of three children.
Upon completing his primary education in Venmoney, he completed his BA from Catholicate College in Pathanamthitta and proceeded to obtain his MA from Pune University in Pune. Thereafter, he went on to obtain his first MBA from Vizag University in Vizakhapattanam and a second MBA from St. John's University in New York.
He arrived in America in March 1973, married the love of his life, Susan, on May 5, 1973 and made their home in New Jersey. They first resided in Jersey City, where they had their first child, Jeff, in 1974, and their second child, Julie, in 1979. They moved to Clifton in 1982, where they continued to reside until July 2021. He had a long and varied career in finance and was fondly known to many as “Insurance Roy”.
Roy served the Lord as an active member of the Mar Thoma Church. He was an original member of the Mar Thoma / CSI Congregation of Manhattan and then a founding member of the Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, where he faithfully served both in leadership and support roles.
He is survived by his mother, Kunjunjamma (100 years old), loving wife, Susan, their son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Lindsey, and daughter, Julie, and four grandchildren, Gavin (9), Jared (7), Violet (2), and Nora (1). He is also survived by his sister, Jancy Roy (Chengannur).
Roy will be remembered as a dependable and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all. His warm demeanor, jovial personality, readiness with a joke, and willingness to help all those around him left an indelible impression on everybody who encountered him. Roy’s strong faith in God guided him in every aspect of his life. He was dedicated to his family and his grandchildren meant everything to him. He will live on in our hearts forever.
Details of Wake and funeral service:
Click here for Live Video Stream (Wake - Sep 3, 2021 @ 5:00 PM)
Click here for Live Video Stream (Funeral - Sep 4, 2021 @ 9:30 AM)
Friday, Sep 3, 2021
Viewing: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at The Mar Thoma Church of NJ (790 Rt 10 West, Randolph, NJ 07869)
Saturday, Sep 4 2021
Funeral service: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM at The Mar Thoma Church of NJ (790 Rt 10 West, Randolph, NJ 07869)
Interment: 12:00 PM at Gates of Heaven Cemetery (225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936)
Alice Koshy
Alice Koshy
[Oct 31, 2020]
Details of Wake and funeral service:
Click here for Live Video Stream (Wake)
Click here for Live Video Stream (Funeral)
Wednesday, 4 Nov 2020
Viewing: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at Matthew Funeral Home (2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314)
Funeral service : 8.30 PM at Matthew Funeral Home (2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314)
Thursday, 5 Nov 2020
Funeral service (No Public Viewing): 9.00 AM at Matthew Funeral Home (2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314)
Annu Alexander
Annu Alexander
[Oct 3, 1962 - Sep 18, 2020]
On September 18, 2020 Annu Alexander, a loving wife. mother, daughter, family member and friend passed away peacefully at her home in the presence of her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Binu, sons, Thomas and Abin, mother Saramma and sisters May and Susan
Annu was woman of great faith and passion. She was the pillar of the family. Her giving nature and loving heart will be remembered and cherished forever.
Details of Wake and funeral service:
Click here for Live Video Stream
Monday, 21 Sep 2020
Viewing: 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM at Leonardis Memorial Home (210 Ridgedale Ave, Florham Park, NJ)
Funeral service : 7.30 PM at Leonardis Memorial Home (210 Ridgedale Ave, Florham Park, NJ)
Tuesday, 22 Sep 2020
Funeral service (No Public Viewing): 10.00 AM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Interment: St. Stephens Cemetery & The Chapel (451 Millburn Ave, Millburn, NJ 07041)
Jesus said “You are the Light of the World”. Every believer and member of the Mar Thoma Church should take up the responsibility to lighten others and hence our motto – Lighted to Lighten.