— with Chandran

Dear Chandran Uncle,

We cannot believe you are no longer with us. Without a warning you left this world behind.

Although we came to know you only the past few years, your calm and collected nature made us at ease. We will cherish our time discussing the latest books you read, British dramas you watched, the pickle ball games we played and the occasional sip of wine together. Every time we met, you enquired about our house hunting and consoled the frustrated Aravazhi once with “There is a house with your name written. You just have to find it”. Now we have a contract to build a house and wish you were here to bless us when we move there.

Even in your passing away you were magnanimous by donating yourself for research. We will miss you forever. May you rest in peace.

Chitra Aunty, Sheila, Rangu and their families, may the memories that you cherish with uncle be your strength.

PK & Raji Aravazhi, Savithiri Muthumanickam

We never forget you in our life time. We miss you Chithappa. It's a great loss. Sorry Chithi Rangu and Sheila.

Pickle ballers — with Chandran, Geetha and Emu

Pickleballers — with Emu and Chitra

Chandran ‘in’ action — with Chandran

Dear Chandran,

When we moved here nine years ago, we didn’t know you or Chitra.  We did hear from other friends that you were quiet and reserved.  We soon got to know you.  You were not quiet, but soft spoken and kind.  As for being reserved, you must have reserved your reservation for others because we had some great conversations.  Emu, being an ex army officer enjoyed talking to you about his army life and listening to your family’s experiences in the army.  I, being who I am, kept to lighter topics like books and movies.  You also brought back memories of my school days since you had members of your family who had been to the same school.

There are so many memories but the one that stands out the most is when you rushed me to the ER and sat with me for three hours.  I said that I had a pain in the middle of my back and you said that it could be a heart attack and that you were not going to take any chances because you had lost two other friends this way.  The irony is we lost you the same way to a sudden heart attack.

Moving on to happier times, Emu and I enjoyed playing pickle ball with you and Chitra.  Though it was no easy feat getting you off the couch and onto the pickle ball court, it soon became pretty routine, so much so, that you started asking us why we were not on the court or why we were late.  On the court we had so much fun.  Though we spent more time picking up the balls than hitting them, time flew by and at the end of each session we were looking forward to the next.  For those of you who haven’t seen Chandran play pickle ball, if the ball landed anywhere within his reach, his shots were like bullets and almost impossible to return.  But if you wanted to earn a point we had to make sure to hit it beyond his reach because Chandran was not interested in spending any energy in chasing after it.  We teased him about that on the court and the sport that he was took it all in stride.  I’m not sure if we can ever play on that court again.

It may be a little crazy writing to you instead of just writing about you.  This way I feel like I’m talking to you and you are still here, though I know you are not.  We miss you very much.  We hope you are in a wonderful place, happy and healthy, coaching the rest of the gang there how to play pickle ball.

Chitra, Rangu and Shiela please accept our condolences.  If we, who have known Chandran for only nine years have so many memories, you must be having thousands of great ones.  Treasure them.  I know you are hurting now but time will help heal the wound.  May God bless you and may Chandran’s soul rest in peace.

Here’s a little poem(if we can call it that) for the grandkids

Chandran was a man so wise and kind

Someone who will always be on our mind

Though he spent most of the time on the couch

He was no slouch

His prowess at the pickle ball court

Proved that he was a great sport

Chandran, we will miss you forever

For you were like no other

Dear Chitra, Rangu, Sheila and family,

When I received a call from Rangu I was shocked to learn that my oldest friend Chandran had passed away so suddenly.  I couldn’t believe it or accept it.  It is so sad, so much pain and grief.

We met in 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio and did residency training in ENT programs.  Then our paths separated, I left for Califonia and Chandran family went to India and later returned to Califonia.  We met often and did surgery together.  

Chandran lived a charmed life with Chitra, Rangu, Shubha, Sheila, Bryan and grandchildren.  Now he is gone and we have many memories and regrets.  

Whenever we meet friends there is unrealistic hope that we will meet and see each other again and again.  The law of impermanence rules in life.  Whatever you want to do, don’t wait because the future is unknown.

Even though Chandran is no more, in our heart and memories he is alive and well.  His sense of humor, affection and kindness was well known and Chandran and Chitra were welcome guests everywhere.

We love you, miss you, and mourn your passing.  We celebrate and learn from your special and compassionate life.  May God grant peace to all his family and friends.

Dear Aunty Chitra,Rangu and Sheila.

We are saddened by the unexpected demise of uncle Chandran. This must be a tragic loss to each of you as you mourn a father and a husband. 

We always enjoyed his company, in particular the conversations, knowledge and expertise he shared on various current affairs. He was an accomplished surgeon having trained in India and establishing a successful practice in a new country, which is no easy feat. His success in his career must have set a high standard to drive his children to follow his path.

Uncle Chandran  will be greatly missed. May the fond memories you have of him help alleviate his absence.

Our deepest condolences 

Siree and Bali Arani

HEART FELT CONDOLENCES. HEART IS FULL OF OLD,FOND,MEMORIES. THE  FEELING OF MISSING SO  INTENSE; AND GRIPPING  YOU,FOR EVER.

ANBUNATHAN AND RAMANI. 

Chandranna was one of a kind . Human encyclopaedia ,great sense of humour, kind and affectionate person. He was my favourite cousin . Iam going to miss him for ever ever especially the banter we used have when akka and anna visited us in England and frequent phone calls.Krishna and Nicola used to look forward to his visit to Newcastle .We are pleased.thar Anna was able to attend Krishna and Nicola’s wedding in rural Northumberland 2022, enjoyed the scenic venue .Our hearts go out Anna’s family of Ranganna , Subha ,Rohan,Neil, Dylan, Sheelamma, Brian, Arya and Grant. MUTHURANGU family

Cruising the Panama Canal

Cruising the Panama Canal

CHANDRAN:

A Dear friend and brother:

A tough man indeed, but a trustworthy friend in NEED, after you earn the accolade of "friend". A few of us were privileged enough to earn it and I am one of the lucky ones that did.

Our friendship spread over 5 decades. They were years that we remember fondly--some in together in the same place, other times not-- Cleveland, Coimbatore, Anamalai, Corona and Venice. The third generations of our families are nurturing this friendship, still making it happen.

There is a soft and kind heart in him that few people could see through. People in Anamalai were the beneficiaries of his kindness and generosity. His demise on "VAIKUNDA EKADESI" day bodes well for his concern for the poor and the needy. The Venice Tamilian crew lost one of its most voraciously well-read, a brilliant but common-sense physician and a true gentleman in so many ways.

The Manickam family feels like  we lost one of our members. We will CHERISH our relationship with Chandran forever. He is with our lord and in peace.

I couldn't even believe that chandran doctor is no more, my deepest condolences to you chitra mam. I have no words to explain his contribution in my life. He was such a kindhearted person who trusted me a lot, encouraged ,motivated me in all activities I did. I have never met a person like chandran doctor with broad helping mind and encouraging young people to come up in life. 

I was so sorry to hear about Rangaswami's passing. He was such a [ adjective ] and [ adjective ] person.

he was very proud of his culuture and releigion.H bought a place in Heaven with his last but purest breath.we all his friends and foes will remember his honest and fearless and admiring commet.let us not mourn his death.his spirit will kindle like in the galaxy for ever,ever.

I was [ how you felt ] when I heard the news of Rangaswami's passing.

My mother, Meera, and brother Kumaresh, join me in expressing our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to Chitra Akka, Rangu, and Sheilu.  We will miss him very much, but he remains with us in all the happy memories we have of him going back several decades. May He Rest in Peace. Om Shanti.

Chandran Anna and Chitra Akka have been family friends for several decades. He knew me from infancy. My earliest recollection of him is probably from 1971 when I was about 5 years old, just after the birth of Rangu. Over the years we had the privilege and pleasure of getting acquainted with his parents and other members of his extended family. Throughout my childhood in India, despite his living on a different continent,  Chandran Anna served as a role model. My maternal grandparents visited him in Ohio circa 1975, my parents visited him in California in 1985, and he made several visits with his family to India over the years, always graciously making time for us during those hectic visits. And in 1987, the very first year I arrived in the USA, I spent Christmas in Corona with him and his family.  In 2009 I was again very fortunate to be invited for Sheilu's wedding in Kentucky. He was always kind and hospitable, and made me feel a part of his extended family. Being a very cultured and learned man, he was extremely well-informed about current affairs, was interesting to talk to, and always willing to give sound medical advice. I was lucky that in the past few years, I was able to visit him in Venice, Florida, and at his ancestral home in Anamalai, and it was a special occasion for me when I hosted him and Chitra Akka at my home in Tavares.  I, and my mother and brother, will miss him very much, because he and his family have been such a constant in our lives for the past 60 plus years. It is hard to believe he is no more, I feel he had more to contribute and much more to enjoy.  I take solace in the fact that after a successful, productive career as an ENT specialist,  he had the opportunity to spend time with his  grandchildren and lead a happy retired life at his beautiful home in Venice, Florida. My most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to Chitra Akka, and to Sheilu and Rangu. You will miss his presence and counsel, I am sure,  but, in many ways he will be in your hearts and minds forever. I am sure you will derive strength from the memories you have of him. Om Shanti. 

Chandran Anna, Chitra Akka, in Tavares — with Chandran Anna and Chitra Akka

Chandran always greeted me with kindness and curiosity. He engaged me conversations on many topics with a puckish smile and a twinkle in his eye. His humor was subtle but constant, making my visit bright. He always asked about John. We dined together with Chitra and John at the Indian restaurant which had delicious food. Chandran generously gave me nasal rinse bottles for my malfunctioning sinus. I will miss the man on the couch  watching cnn, the man who knew so much about life. Chitra is strong and energetic and I will feel Chandran’s presence always through her.