Trikambhai B. Patel, aged 89, peacefully passed away on December 6th, 2023, at his son Mukesh’s home, surrounded by his beloved family.

Trikambhai was born to Becharbhai and Diwaliben Patel on March 12, 1934 in a village on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, called Zundal. He had six siblings: four brothers and two sisters. His education ended at 11th grade due to family farming commitments. He worked hard and built a life for his wife, Shantaben T. Patel, who he wed on June 17th, 1952. He started his own plastics factory called Mahendra Industries. He went on to start a dairy business.

At his Ahmedabad home, Trikambhai loved to invite people into his home. He would make sure that everyone, no matter their social status, would never leave hungry. Trikambhai was known for inviting everyone to home and continued to care for the wellbeing of his guests throughout his life.

Trikambhai was a man of few words, but still waters run deep. He often had something witty or pertinent to say in English despite only having learned it in grade school. When he was conversing in Gujarati, he had a sharp tongue and quick wit. He was known for his commentary and unique sense of humor; he always had an opinion and was not afraid to share it in a comical way.

Trikambhai and Shantaben had four children: late Mahendra (deceased at two-years-old from chicken pox), Mukesh, Sangita, and Dinesh. Trikambhai and Shantaben’s hard work and values enabled their children to pursue higher education and go on to become an engineer, an accountant, and a doctor.

During a time when owning any vehicle was a rarity, Trikambhai cherished his motorcycle, the Rajdoot. He rode it extensively across the city, and he would often take his children and grandchildren along for rides. Each of his children and grandchildren smile when recalling these trips with Trikambhai. He cared for Rajdoot and nurtured it like a family member, repairing, cleaning, and tinkering with it for hours. Trikambhai held onto that motorcycle until it was beyond repair and his family had to convince him to give up Rajdoot for his own safety. He grieved the loss of his beloved motorcycle like a family member.

In accordance with traditional Indian values, Trikambhai retired once his sons were able to rise as the leaders of the family and support the home. In retirement, he was able to help raise his grandson, Dhaval, as he was growing up in their joint Ahmedabad home along with Shantaben, their son, Dinesh and daughter-in-law, Sangita. During festivals, Trikambhai would enjoy visits from his son, Mukesh Patel, daughter-in-law, Jyoti Patel, and grandchildren, Rahul and Gunjan Patel (Mukesh and Jyoti’s children) from Surat.

Sangita Patel, his daughter, immigrated to the United States in 1990 to join her husband, Hiren Patel, the first of this family to come to the United States. Trikambhai and Shantaben first came to the United States in 1997. They enjoyed extended trips in New Jersey with their daughter, Sangita, son-in-law, Hiren, and grandchildren, Suchi and Harsh. In 2008, their sons, Mukesh and Dinesh, immigrated to the United States along with their wives and children. In 2014, Trikambhai and Shantaben immigrated to the United States to join their children and grandchildren in New Jersey.

Trikambhai and Shantaben have enjoyed traveling and family events over the past decade. A memorable family outing was in 2015 when Trikambhai joined all of their children’s families on a vacation to the Poconos. He enjoyed seeing waterfalls and beautiful mountain views in the warmth of the summer. Since then, Trikambhai and his wife have enjoyed traveling back to India for weddings and extended vacations to spend time with family in their homeland. In August 2021, he participated in the wedding festivities of his granddaughter, Suchi Patel, to her husband, Simran Grewal in New Jersey. His most recent trip to India was in September 2022 for the wedding reception of his grandson, Dhaval and his bride, Freny.

While living in the United States, Trikambhai would spend time living with his two sons, Mukesh and Dinesh, along with their children. In 2018, Trikambhai’s first great-grandchild, Anjali, was born, and he came to live with her once she was one-month old along with Shantaben, his son, Mukesh, daughter-in-law, Jyoti, and grandson, Rahul and granddaughter-in-law, Elise. In 2021, he welcomed two more great-grandchildren, Manvi, born to his granddaughter, Gunjan and her husband, Sujap, and Rohan, Rahul and Elise’s second child.

Trikambhai always had a routine and liked things in a particular manner, which his wife, Shantaben, took the utmost care to implement. He had afternoon chai lovingly prepared by Shantaben after waking up from his nap and would eat Monaco and Parle-G gold biscuits. He had a routine of regular smoke breaks and would bundle up to go outside even in the cold New Jersey winters. He loved all his food piping hot, and Shantaben would prepare his thali with care each evening. He loved watching old Bollywood movies as well as Swaminarayan sermons alongside his wife.

When playing with his great-grandchildren, Anjali, Manvi, and Rohan, years would melt away, and Trikambhai would have the biggest smile on his face. He adored playing with them, and he would often tease them. They called him Dada, which means grandfather in Gujarati. Anjali, Manvi, and Rohan loved playing with Dada’s topi (knit cap) and getting to watch cartoons with him. Dada would indulge them with extra watching time and treats.

Recently, Trikambhai enjoyed a Diwali celebration with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at home.

In everything he achieved, Trikambhai was inseparable from his partner, Shantaben Patel. Their beautiful marriage was the cornerstone of his accomplishments, their unity defining their journey as one soul.

Trikambhai is preceded in death by his parents, Becharbhai Patel and Diwaliben Patel, siblings, Ambalal Patel, Ishwarbhai Patel, Dahyabhai Patel, Narsinhbhai Patel, Dahiben Patel, and Suraj Patel, and son, Mahendra Patel.

Trikambhai is survived by his wife, Shantaben Patel, children: Mukesh Patel and his wife, Jyoti Patel, Sangita Patel and her husband, Hiren Patel, Dinesh Patel and his wife, Sangita Patel, grandchildren: Rahul Patel and his wife, Elise Patel, Suchi Patel and her husband, Simran Grewal, Dhaval Patel and his wife, Freny Patel, Gunjan Patel, and her husband, Sujap Patel, and Harsh Patel, great-grandchildren: Anjali Patel, Manvi Patel, and Rohan Patel.

A celebration of Trikambhai Patel’s life will be held on December 9th, 2023, from 9-11 AM at Franklin Memorial Park, 1800 NJ-27, North Brunswick, NJ 08902.

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