On Good Friday the 2nd April, 2021 our precious friend, Mr O S Selvaraj left for heavenly abode, immersing us in immense sorrow and loss and coinciding with our remembrance of the death of Jesus on the cross. What a great soul to depart from earth on a holy memorable day!
He lived his life giving a perfect account of a true Christian to the core. Truthful, human, pious, godly, social, cordial, loving, kind-hearted, hard working, action-oriented, patient and tolerant-the list can be long to depict Mr Selvaraj to a T. His death was not only a great loss to his family but also to the vast circle of friends and colleagues in different segments of society.
Mr Selvaraj was born on 3rd April, 1947 as the eldest child to the humble parents, Shri Savarimuthupillai and Smt Kitheriammal in a village named Oliyamangalam in Trichy district, Tamil Nadu. The family was economically not very strong. He grew up amidst hard circumstances. He had a brother (Mr Jeyaraj) and two sisters (Mrs Fathima Mary and Mrs Josephine Mary). His parents were unsalaried who earned their living through hard labour. Mr Selvaraj turned out to be a successful self-made man.
He came to Chennai in the year 1965 in search of employment. He had to try out his hand on different jobs until he got into a stable job in the Tank Factory, Avadi where he made his full lifetime career for 40 years. He retired from the position of Asst. Foreman on Jan, 2007.
During those 46 years in Avadi he was not content with being a home bird shuttling between home and workplace. Besides building a model family like a bird building the nest he also garnered around him a larger family of friends, colleagues, church members, social volunteers and different cross sections.
He married in the year 1974 and his life-partner Smt. Elizabeth Mary was equally a dynamic homemaker who undoubtedly was the backbone of the family and was instrumental for the success of Mr Selvaraj. Both of them contributed to society three gems of children, two daughters namely Anitha Theresa Pushpa, Pauline and one son namely Lourduraj. The exemplary parents brought them up on the strong foundation of the noble family values, who in turn radiate these values in their actions and extend help to others . They are well settled on their jobs and on the platform of pragmatic life too. The torch of the family goodness is kept aglow by them and they also ensure that their children too take the same righteous path.
He spent quite many hours in social work. He was a very active member in St.Antony’s Shrine, Avadi throughout his life time. He was the Parish Council President for a long-term. He was also the Parish Council Secretary. He was
an active member in the CRMI, Catholic Association, Parish Catechism, Vincent De Paul Society etc. and also extended support to many poor families. For the last 7 years Mrs and Mr Selvaraj relocated to Medavakkam but they maintained their dearly loved home at Avadi as their headquarters and kept their bondage strong with their friends there. This is evident from the waves of remorse evoked by the news of his death from the Avadi friends.
Every good Friday will bring a painful memory. But we have to surrender to God’s decision.
He was never tired of social work and physical inconvenience was secondary to him. He was transparent in his chats and used to call a spade a spade.
Mr Selvaraj met my definition of a good friend fully.He never showed a tinge of ego in his thoughts, words and actions. He was vibrant during conversations, humorous, frank, never accepting anything blindly, pointing out his critical opinion if needed for public welfare.
He was always a ready good samaritan and genuine in his care for others and fervent in his prayers for others. He was
very adjusting teamworker. He carried team with him easefully in public work and church activities. He
never clamoured for limelight after helping people.
He used to pray for others’ welfare and sing wholeheartedly. He was a priestly person among the laity. He respected kinship and friendship on the same balance.He had played all his roles fully to the satisfaction of God.
I will miss him. He is a friend with whom I used to spend my time most pleasantly.He was a friend to all and enemy to none. He has gone back to the Creator with a clean unblemished balance sheet.
Selvaraj was a perfect example of love and fellowship with others and was the shining light of true Christian virtue of brotherhood towards one and all. So too reciprocated to him a large circle of family members, kind men, friends colleagues and anyone who came into contact with him. He will live in their memory, hearts, thoughts and emotions for ever.
Glory to the Lord and praise to the blessed soul of one of His dear sons, Selvaraj !
— A tribute by Prof T Pilavendran
A great lover of God and well wishes of Children of God.
A loss to all of us.
Feeling his presence always.
May his soul rest in peace.
Dear beloved family and friends.
Mr. O.S.Selvaraj our brother is a lovable person and always regards the elders of the family with great respect and affection.
I am his cousin living in velachery.
He is a very active person in the church and extends full support to the parish. My brother Mr.S.Joseph lived with their family for few years and he would treat him as his own.
We all at home felt very sad on his demise and we pray for his soul to R.I.P.
We join you all today and pray to our Almighty God to give rest to his soul.
Let’s all have the hope of meeting him on the day of resurrection and rejoice in the Lord.
Our heartfelt condolences for all the family members today and pray to God to give strength and courage to face this situation.
Loving Regards
Alexander
May Mr. Selvaraj’s soul rest in peace.
Fathers Day June 20, 2021
This past year has been a year of ups and downs. One major down was the sudden loss of our beloved husband, father, Mama, and Thatha. As Father’s Day is celebrated in America and many families get together and grill food, play games, and enjoy celebrating their Fathers, we remember ours.
Mama will forever be remembered in our hearts and minds, as this Fathers day was co in up I was thinking of Mama and many of our times together. Over the past few days I have laughed to myself, teared up, and have thought about the wisdom Mama has left behind.
Here are some of my top Mama memories:
His love for Jesus and sharing his faith wherever he went.
His hunger to learn more about Jesus and wanting to sit and talk about faith
His love for Biscuits and other sweets, and how when offered he would say one more and take 2.
When shopping he would sneak items into the cart and not take ownership until we got back and started unpacking. We would get a good laugh as he was like a kid in a candy store at times.
His smile and laugh was contagious.
He would always be ready to pray.
He would raise his arm and yell Praise the Lord until he was responded to (at least in the USA)
His desire to do his boxing, or other exercises and keep up with it at home.
His care for his health and wanted to learn to be the healthiest he could.
His love for studying and wanting to learn. When Mama visited I enjoyed taking him to the library to get books and maps he would study for hours.
His love for trying new foods and getting excited eating fruits and veggies. He loved grilled veggies when visiting us in the US.
Mama and I would sit on the porch and have some nice chats, these times were special to me to have 1:1 time to talk.
When a Birthday, anniversary or other event happened Mama would give his sermon of the day and then end of his talk he would say God Bless, Be Happy.
(As I was heading into surgery this time I looked at Mamas photo we have and could hear him say “don’t worry Ma, God Bless, Be Happy).
There are many more countless memories to share of Mama, he was one of a kind. As Father’s Day comes around this year we can hold his love, wisdom and memories in our hearts and minds. He will forever be with each one of us as he has left his legacy here with us.
I believe Mama would like us to celebrate him today with a sweet (I would make him a cake). He would want us to be happy and look our eyes towards the Lord each day.
Happy Fathers Day Mama! May you be rejoicing with the Lord today and smiling and laughing in heaven.
“By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” 1 Corinthians 6:14
Dearest Uncle
People who love you knew what a nice human being you were,
Relatives of yours knew what a great caretaker you were,
Friends who were with you knew what a faithful companion you were,
Colleagues who worked with you knew how hard working you were,
Society you lived in knew how responsible you were,
Neighbors you lived next to knew how respectful you were,
Churches & Priests you associated with knew what a dedicated servant of God you were,
Youngsters who were inspired by you knew what a Good counsellor you were,
The little ones who laughed with you knew how funny & entertaining you were,
Needy people raised by you knew how generous you were,
The Family that you raised knew what a loving father you were,
And Christ knew what a TRUE CHRISTIAN you were,
And so, you are free from these worldly sufferings on the day we remember of His crucifixion & we believe you are also raised to His Kingdom on this day of His resurrection!
We are always grateful for your Moral support throughout & we deeply miss you in many ways 😔
Rest in Eternal Peace dear Uncle.