Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
THOMAS, Varkey Varghese
The world shifted on its axis when Varkey Thomas passed away in his 88th year on July 3, 2024, and it will never be the same again.
Son of Rosamma and Paul Erumpan and brother to Tommy, Lily, Mercy, and Molly, he was born on August 22, 1936, in Aluva, India. Always an enterprising man, he established a successful driving school in 1956 after graduating high school. In 1964, he embarked on heavy equipment certification in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. After staying in the area to work for a few years, he applied his new skills and knowledge to a job with the Indian military in Nagaland until 1974.
In 1974, he moved to Canada to marry the great love of his life, Cicily (neé Pappu) on May 4, 1974. In July, he began his career as a heavy equipment mechanic with Canadian National Railway and was promoted swiftly through the ranks to become Lead Hand Mechanic – which was his title when he retired in 2001. Thomas had an energetic spirit and entrepreneurial mind – after retiring, he enjoyed traveling extensively with Cicily and their friends – to the Holy Land, Egypt, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, and a tour of India – and continued to develop his real estate and investment holdings. Throughout his life, Thomas was charming, fashionable, a skilled debater, mechanically inclined, a voracious reader, and he favored a few trusted friends, including Joseph and Penny George, and Dominic and Reena Pappu.
Thomas was preceded to heaven by his mother, father, brother, sisters Mercy and Molly, and best friend Sudhakaran. He is survived by his beloved wife Cicily, cherished sister Lily, dear children Jenny (and husband Mark Swartz), Justin, and Jobina (and partner Steve Smith), respected nephew Ajit, and adored grandchildren Daniel, Jamie, and Sophie. as well as many much-loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Thomas was a profoundly beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, grand-uncle, godfather, brother, and friend. His passing after a long battle with the complications of diabetes was sudden and unexpected, but was quick, without suffering, and in the company of his family. He retained his sharp mind and industriousness to the very end, alongside his humour, generosity, adoration of his grandchildren/grand nephews/grand nieces, excellent taste in gifting jewellery and clothing, measured appreciation of good food and fine alcohol, fastidiousness with his stock portfolio, love of watching the WWE, theatrical sneezes, fondness for visiting casinos with his wife (with whom he recently celebrated 50 years of marriage), and always, always following his own path.
Relatives and friends are welcome for visitation at the Bernardo Funeral Home (2960 Dufferin St., south of Lawrence Ave.) on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 3 – 8 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church (2 Richardson Avenue – Eglinton Avenue W., east of Keele St.) on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:00 am. Private cremation to follow.
For those who are unable to attend Varkey’s visitation or funeral mass in person, you may join virtually. Please click on the desired link below to join.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church. Click on the link below to donate now.
DONATIONS TO IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHUCH:
www.archtoronto.org/en/contact-us/donations/donate-pages/donate-to-parish-offertory/?des=DPP37
VISITATION LINK:
us02web.zoom.us/j/83663571567?pwd=2h8bOaHPEEon6R3ecccMitlPOhYMPv.1
FUNERAL MASS LINK:
immaculate-conception.ca
(live-streaming window will appear on the main page of the church’s website)
Wednesday July 3rd 2024
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
death notice Varkey Varghese Thomas Wednesday July 3rd 2024
obituaries notice Varkey Varghese Thomas Wednesday July 3rd 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Varkey Varghese Thomas Wednesday July 3rd 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
