Obituary
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Selvarajah Sunderavel on August 3, 2020. Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in 1936, Selvarajah grew up in Jaffna and Negombo. He attended University at Jaffna College & Madras Christian College in India. He returned to Sri Lanka and later settled with his growing family in Bambalapitiya. Selvarajah emigrated to the United States of America with his wife and three young children in 1986, settling in Florida via Ohio.
At 84 years young, he lived an extremely full life. His love of travel and his entrepreneurial spirit afforded him many different opportunities to conduct business around the world. He was involved in the Travel industry and many professional organizations such as PATA and Rotary International, holding several leadership roles and devoting significant time to service initiatives and fundraising for many worthwhile charities in the US and overseas. Selvarajah enjoyed mentoring high schoolers through Interact Clubs, to grow into civic minded young adults and treasured the opportunity he had to lead a group of local young business professionals on a cultural/service exchange program to India. Over the years, he enjoyed sharing his beautiful culture and heritage by organizing cultural events like Show Case India and India Festivals. Selvarajah had an equally tenured retirement career of over 15+ years working with Homeland Security as a Tamil and Sinhalese translator for immigration asylum court cases, medical patient translations, as well as conventions and large events. His love of service and travel continued till the very end.
Selvarajah is survived by his love of nearly 60 years, his devoted wife Quincie; his son Prakash, daughter-in-law Elize, grandchildren Eashan and Priya; daughter Jeevaani; and son Kamalan, daughter-in-law Ashley, grandchildren Ava, Arjuna, Annika and Aja.
He also leaves behind his sister Savuntharanayaki, sister Nirmala, brother Velayuthan, sister Thiagi, in-laws Indrani, Gracie and Desmond, Chithra, Ruwi, Lakshmi and Sunil, Jayasiri, Malkanthi and all their respective families. He was predeceased by his (late)Father Sunderavelu-GM Ceramics Factory Negombo, (late)Mother Annapoorani, (late)brother Devarajan, (late)brother Nagarajan and in-laws (late) Leela, (late)Sivagnaniar, (late)Balasubramanian, (late) Ariyamalar, (late)Sivapatham, (late)Arthur & Mercy DeMel, (late)Shirley, (late)Godfrey, (late)Lynfrey, (late)Clytie, (late)Douglas, (late)Chrisanthi, (late)Dickmond, (late)Lalindra and our beloved Beagle “Rusty”.
Selvarajah was well known as a man of few words and many (sometimes stern) looks which spoke volumes, but he always had a huge heart. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, who made his face light up with the biggest smiles. We send him love and light as his adventurous soul embarks on this new journey of becoming one again with the Universal Soul.
Gone from our sights, but forever in our hearts! May his soul rest in eternal peace!
Funeral Information:
A private funeral ceremony has been scheduled for Friday August 14, 2020 in Port Charlotte, FL at Baldwin Brothers F.H from 9a-11a, followed by his cremation at Baldwin Brothers in Fort Myers.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we invite our family and friends to join us for a virtual funeral ceremony only via Zoom and Facebook Live Stream.
Hindu funeral ceremony: 9a-10a ET
Eulogy and farewell words: 10a-11a ET
Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/selsuns
Zoom Meeting: https://fastly.zoom.us/j/98236577004?pwd=cXpRVnpUOWgxdm9HNDlWc2t2UTVTZz09
If anyone would like to say a few words during the Zoom call, we will open it up from 10a-11a ET for immediate family and then all others.
Visitation at our home:
We welcome you to visit with the family for a socially distant drive-by visitation at our home on Saturday August 15th from 10a-12p at our home (or please feel free to call and set up a different date and time).
Home Address: 861 Haleybury Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33948.
Charity:
Those wishing to express condolences may consider giving to these worthwhile causes. Your contribution is Tax Deductible and 100% of your contribution will go towards the project:
International Medical Health Organization (IMHO) – We’re trying to reach a goal of $5,000 towards a New Early Education School in Northern Sri Lanka:
https://theimho.org/make-donation#
1. Contribute online using PayPal (sign in using your account or as a guest) or mail in a check
2. Please Write a note “In Memory of Selvarajah”
3. Complete the rest of the required info and make your generous donation.
Charlotte County Homeless Coalition – We’re trying to reach a goal of $5,000 towards Feeding the Hungry Program:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E332080&id=1
1. Please check the box “I would like to dedicate this donation”
2. Select the Type of Tribute from the dropdown – “In Memory of” or “In Honor of”
3. Please enter in the Tribute Name “Selvarajah”
4. Complete the rest of the required info and make your generous donation.
All are going to miss your contribution.
RIP
May his soul Rest In Peace !
Selva was so kind & compassionate to everybody . We will miss him .
Love & Light !
Dev , Geetha & Roja
My Sympathy goes out to the family.
May you all keep fond memories of your loss one.
Loosing a family is never easy...Dear Quincy and Jeevani, please know that we are with you in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
May you stay strong in this challenging time we send our prayers to you and family
Mike and I are with in spirit you today as we share your grief. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Andy & Mike