Obituary of Rajan Thundil Varughese

Our beloved, Rajan Thundil Varughese, was called to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 4th 2024. Rajan was born in Mavelikara, Kerala, India to late Kochummen Koruthu and late Pennamma Oommen and was the third of four children. He was an active member of the Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Kurathikad in his youth and was well loved by parishioners and his local community members. He moved to America in 1983 and worked within the New York City and New York State systems, with most of his career being at the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. He was also a Real Estate Agent/Broker at Cross Island Realty and spent his spare time finding homes and cultivating relationships within the Malayalee community. He married Sheela Varughese in June 1986 and had four children- Roshan, Reny, Robin, and Reena. His family was his pride and joy and he raised, nurtured, and led the family in a God-fearing manner. He fervently prayed for his family and enjoyed spending time watching his children grow, taking trips together, and creating lasting memories. He was a patriarch of the family and a cornerstone in many of the communities he was a part of. Rajan was an active member of Epiphany Mar Thoma Church in Queens, NY, and held a role in many of the organizations, especially the Malayalam Choir, and encouraged his children to also be active and serve the church community. He was one to always sit in the front rows at church and actively participate in the worship service. He was a welcoming presence to both the old and new faces in church. He embodied a Christ-like nature and created lasting relationships with people across generations in church. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. These relationships and communities sustained and uplifted him, especially when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2014. While given only two years to live at that time, his strength, tenacity, and the communities' faithfulness in prayer uplifted him, and God added more years to his life. He was able to witness many family weddings, the birth of multiple grandchildren, and make beautiful memories with his loved ones. Rajan is survived by his loving wife, Sheela, children, Roshan and Sonia, Reny and Michael, Robin and Sarah, and Reena, five grandchildren, Micah, Elijah, Madeline, Mikaela, and Emma, his sisters, Mariamma and Santhamma, brother, Monachan, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He is remembered by his insurmountable strength, persistent determination, and his deep faith in the Lord. His final days were marked by unceasing prayers and songs, surrounded by family and friends. Please continue to uphold the family in prayers.