A Tribute to Our Father – Deoraj

February 27, 1935 – March 28, 2025

Our father, Deoraj, was not a man of grand declarations or worldly status—but he was a man of profound depth, quiet dignity, and immeasurable wisdom. His was a life shaped not by privilege, but by perseverance. Born into a working-class family in Enmore, Guyana, he embodied the values of hard work, humility, and sacrifice.

He loved deeply and lived faithfully. Alongside our mother, his partner of 66 years, he raised five children and helped shape the lives of his grandchildren and extended family. Their love story was one of unwavering loyalty and grace—a bond that sustained through time, distance, and difficulty. He often said that "Behind every great man is a woman," but in witnessing their journey, we came to believe that in front of every great man stands a woman who guides and anchors the family.

Our parents didn't just raise a family—they explored the world together. From Europe to Asia, the Caribbean to India, they journeyed through sacred places and iconic cities. Their pilgrimage to India was not just a trip, but a spiritual homecoming. They wandered through temples and cities, finding wonder in every step.

My father was a lover of philosophy and a steward of proverbs. Rarely would he speak without sharing a quote, a saying, or a piece of timeless wisdom. His words always carried meaning—often delivered with humor, always with purpose. One of his favorite sayings was: "He may carry the instrument of a barber, but he has the ambition of a prince." That was him in essence—a man of vision, of dignity, and of deep internal wealth.

He may have raised a little Cain in his younger days—as most men do—but he evolved into a man of reflection, substance, and strength. He loved and was deeply loved. He lived and truly lived. And in doing so, he left behind not a void, but a living legacy.

His voice may now be silent, but his teachings, his presence, and his love remain eternal. His life was his message, and his message was this: live well, love fully, work hard, and walk humbly.

We are grateful for the 90 years we were blessed to have with him. We are grateful for the lessons, the laughter, the travels, and the truth. We are grateful that we called him father.

Om Sadgati. Om Shanti. May his soul travel peacefully on its next journey, and may we honor him every day by living the values he held dear.