Thomas Kurian's Obituary
Thomas Kurian (Sunny) was born on September 8, 1957 to the late Kurian Thomas and Aleyamma Thomas, Chethimettathil House in Pampady. He is their only son and second eldest of 7 children.
As a young man starting to build his life, he left for Doha where he worked for a few years before leaving for the United States in 1987. In 1988, while working and living in Baltimore, Maryland, he went back to India to marry his wife of 28 years, Kunjunjama. They settled in Staten Island, NY and, in 1991, they welcomed their first child, Ison Thomas, into the world. Unfortunately, soon after his birth, Ison fell sick and his illness would become a life altering event for the entire family. Sunny and Kunjujumma’s daughters Ivy and Ishaely were born in 1993 and 1994 to complete the family.
The care and well being of Ison became the family’s priority and in 2002, they decided to relocate to Tampa, Florida in search of a warmer climate more suitable for Ison’s health. However, In 2012, at the age of 21, Sunny and his family suffered the devastating loss of their beloved Ison. Sunny and Kunjunjamma dedicated their entire lives to building a life for their children and the bond that they all shared with Ison cannot be accurately described or portrayed in written words. His passing was the most painful time for the entire extended family.
In spite of the unthinkable odds that would make almost anyone lose faith and retreat, Sunny persevered and kept his faith and was devoted to his church. He and his family are members of Mar Gregorios Syrian Orthodox Church where he was always willing to put in the hard labor it took to build up his parish and several of the additions to the church were completed by his hands. He was currently serving on the parish’s Executive Committee as Vice President. In addition to the church community, he was also involved in the Tampa Malayalee community at large to which he offered his time and services without hesitation.
With his family at his bedside, Sunny was called to the Lord on Sunday, July 24, 2016. This is an immense loss for our family and the void he leaves can never be filled. We grieve his death, but we are comforted by our belief that in Christ’s death and resurrection, He has given us the promise that Sunny will live on with Him eternally. We are further encouraged that our Isonmon will be reunited with his Achachi.
Sunny is survived by his wife, Kunujamma, his two daughters Ivy and Ishaley, his sisters and their husbands, Mathaikutty and Laisamma, TV Abraham and Susamma, Babu Kunjumman and Alice, Saji Karimpannoor and Jessy, Varughese AT and Jaya, and Sajan Chacko and Mini as well as their children.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for all your prayers, support and kindness through this very difficult time for our family. We ask that you continue to pray for us and for the repose of Sunny’s soul.
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