Obituary of Thomas A. Kaippakaseril

Thomas Abraham Kaippakaseril (Thomaskutty) was born on July 6, 1939, as the second child of the Late Abraham and Late Aleyamma Kaippakaseril, in Eraviperoor Village, Thiruvalla.    His elementary education was in Muringaseri LPS. School at Eraviperoor.  He graduated from St. John’s HSS, Eraviperoor.  He then continued his education at Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, as well as, Mar Ivanios College, and Loyola College in Trivandrum.   He obtained his Master’s in Social Work from Loyola College.

After graduation, Thomaskutty worked at the CMC Vellore Christian Medial Association, Bangalore, and UPASI Coonoor and Veneers and Lamination in Thiruvalla.   He was very active in social activities and was the Secretary of The Lion’s Club and also the Secretary of the Knanaya Social Forum in Kottayam.

On September 9^th, 1968, Thomaskutty married Baby Jacob, daughter of the Late V. C. Jacob and Late Mariamma Vackamattom, Kottayam.  They lived a very religious life together and raised three children: Sindhya (Cherian Aelamkulam), Dr. Santhosh (Riya Nellickal), and Sheethal (Reno Panachamoottil). 

He came to the USA in December 1988, first to Houston, Texas and them moved to New York.  In New York, Thomaskutty worked as a Social Worker in dialysis centers and retired as the Director of Social Work Services of the Atlantic Dialysis Services, New York.  Even after retirement, he continued his social service activities as the Advisory Board Member of the Nassau County Senior Citizens Association.   He received The Nassau County Special Award for his senior services.   He was also the Founder and President of the South Asian Council for Social Services, a member of the American Association of Indian Social Workers, a member of the Indo-American Malayalee Association, and also the Social Service Unit of The Pioneer Club.   Most recently, he was active in the Senior Wellness Center of New Hyde Park.

Thomaskutty was active in his church activities as the Convenor of the 16^th North American Knanaya Family Conference in 1997.  He was also an association member of the church.  He was a member of St. Peter’s Knanaya Church, Valiyapally in Yonkers, NY and later St. Joseph’s Orthodox Knanaya Church in West Babylon, NY. 

Thomaskutty and Baby remained happily married and lovingly devoted to each other for 55 wonderful years.   For the last 3 years, he took exceptional care of Baby as she underwent her cancer treatments despite his own health.   In the last 3 months, he went above and beyond to care for her even more after her health issues worsened.

He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.   He loved his family and his grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life.  He was the best Appachen in the world to his seven grandchildren, Juliana, Angelina, Isaiah, Alexa, Liam, Amelia, and Luke.  He loved spending time with them and often times was just as playful as they were.    

His siblings are Late Aleyamma Joseph Puthuveettil, Connecticut; Molly Kurian Chaluparambil, Texas; Kuriakose Kaippakaseril, New York; and Susamma Thomas Cherukattuparambil, New Jersey.