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In memory of

Roshan Rex Dinshah

Malaga, NJ

June 29, 1926 - June 17, 2019

Jun 29, 1926 - Jun 17, 2019

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Roshan Rex Dinshah, 92, of Malaga, New Jersey, died at home on Monday June 17, 2019. Born on June 29, 1926, delivered by his father as were all but one of his siblings, he was the second son of Dinshah P. Ghadiali and Irene Grace Hoger Dinshah. Roshan was known by many Vineland area residents through his home appliance sales and service business, Bluebird Appliances, and as a member of the Singing Ambassadors of Vineland.
He was home-schooled by father, mother, and Cicely Sturges, but learned mostly by his reading. He was an original thinker.
Roshan obtained his AA degree by correspondence courses from Edison University and courses at Gloucester County College.
From childhood, Roshan loved classical music and watching movies, and he was an avid reader of religious and historical books. His father's religion was Zoroastrian (Good thoughts, good words, good deeds). Roshan became Theosophical in outlook.
Roshan and brother Cyrus were drafted April 11, 1945 to October 25, 1946 to serve, with other religious conscientious objectors, in the Civilian Public Service - Conservation Corps (run by various peace churches). He scored very high on the aptitude test. He and Cyrus were stationed at a camp in Big Flats, New York (near Elmyra); according to season, the government assigned work was to weed nurseries and cut wood. The camp was run by the American Friends Service Committee. This is where his interest in Friends (Quakers) began.
In the 1950s, Roshan worked for Caterina Hardware, in Vineland, where he became their appliance repairman, and later went into business for himself. Also, in the 1950s, he was in a band where he played piano alongside friend Buddy, and brothers Darius, Jal, & Hom Jay on saxophone and Noshervan on saxophone or clarinet. They played in various smoky dance halls.
Roshan was Treasurer and Cyrus was Secretary of the Malaga Fire Company for a few years around and including 1953.
Born Roshan Dinshah Ghadiali, his last name changed October 25, 1954 to Roshan Rex Dinshah. His siblings, with exception of brother, Sarosh, who was in the Marines, also changed their names at that time.
He was a founding trustee of the American Vegan Society (1960) and served for many years as its vice-president. He was also a trustee of Dinshah Health Society, which teaches the color therapy system devised by his father, now taught by brother Darius.
In 1962-63, Roshan, Jay, Freya, Don Barfoot and others had an Ahimsa Fellowship in San Diego, California with spiritual meetings and community living. He met Lois when she came to their house to use the typewriter after a health meeting.
In 1964, Roshan began attending the Malaga United Methodist Church. After corresponding for some time, he married Lois Margaret Holden at Malaga Methodist Church August 14, 1965. Evon (age 4) and Eugene (age 2, who “played” piano) attended.
He delivered each of his four younger children at home.
He was called to be a minister and became the pastor of Piney Hollow United Methodist Church from 1975 to 1976.
He sang 1st bass with the New Jersey Master Chorale in Haddonfield, and with a chorus in Wilmington, Delaware.
Roshan joined the Mullica Hill Friends Meeting (Quakers) in 1981. Following retirement from his self-employed business in 1987, he volunteered as a chaplain’s assistant at Southern State Correctional Facility by giving one on one counseling and participating, with his dear friend Bill Geary, in the Wednesday evening Quaker services for inmates.
Brothers Hom Jay, Sarosh, and Noshervan and one great-grandchild predeceased Roshan. Roshan leaves behind brothers Cyrus and Jal of Malaga, Darius of Vineland, and sister Shireen, who lives with Cyrus.
He is survived by his wife Lois Margaret Dinshah (nee Roberts), and their six children: Evon (Marland) Jones of Denair, California, Eugene (Connie) Dinshah of Lawton, Oklahoma, Wenona (Bob) Dege of Charlotte, North Carolina, Walden (Michele) Dinshah of Vineland, New Jersey, Darren (Marie) Dinshah of Williamstown, New Jersey, Kevin (Rebekah) Dinshah of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 14 grandchildren (some as far away as England, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and California) and 13 great-grandchildren.

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