Obituary of Thomas Kizhakemuriyil

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Kizhakemuriyil on October 23rd, 2024 at the age of 96. Thomas was born in 1928, to MJ Thomas and Sosamma Thomas in Vayalathala, Kerala, on the southwestern coast of India.

During his teenage years he attended and later taught Sunday School at the Uthimoodu Mar Thoma Church. After earning  his Sanskrit “Shastri” certification, he worked as a Sanskrit teacher. He went on to study nursing in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, where he became a registered nurse, and met his wife Mary.  Married in 1957, they were together for 67 years.  An avid reader of history and mysteries, he also enjoyed photography, tinkering with technology, farming and gardening.  He enjoyed reading up on the latest in medical research and the Merck Manual was a constant companion.  

In 1954 Thomas joined Aramco in Saudi Arabia as an RN, and worked in most of the Gulf countries.  In the 1970s he would immigrate to  New York.  He eventually settled with his family in  New Hyde Park. While living in New York, he worked at the Booth Memorial Hospital, currently the New York Presbyterian of Queens. After his long career he would move back to Kerala in the early 90s where he worked on his rubber estate in his retired life.  During this period, he would take annual trips to the United States to visit his children and grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife Mary and children Susy, Thomas and Mary along with their spouses Jose, Renu, and Sonny, and his grandchildren Steven, Serena, Jonathan and Anika.  

He loved to travel and explore new places, and is embarking on his next big adventure!