SANTOSHAM, Thomas Vijiakumar: Thomas Vijiakumar Santosham was born in Vellore, South India on June 14, 1940. He died in a tragic accident on October 31, 2014 when his car slid off the road and into a lake near his home outside Penticton, BC, Canada. Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. As a child Tom travelled extensively with his diplomatic family, valuing every experience. When he was 16 he moved with his younger brother Mathuram, to Glasgow, Scotland where he earned degrees in Naval Architecture and Engineering. Tom's studies continued in 1964 when he moved to Vancouver, BC and completed his Masters and Post Doctorate degrees in Mechanical Engineering. At UBC he also met his wife of 46 years, Penny White. They were married in 1968 in Guyana, South America, where his father was the Indian High Commissioner. Penny and Tom raised their two children, Peter and Ruth in the Kerrisdale area of Vancouver, BC, Canada. They were best friends and life partners, seeking new adventures and appreciating the simple pleasure of just being together. Tom earned the respect of his peers and provided leadership and mentorship during his professional life. For several years he worked for Lockheed International where he led the establishment of operations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He then spent two decades in the Department of International Trade Development with the BC Government and retired as Manager of International Operations. Shortly after retiring, Tom returned to one of his great passions when he was asked to design and teach a course in Global Marketing at the College of the Okanagan. Teaching continued to be a great joy in his life right up until the end. For 14 years Tom embraced rural life at his retirement home on acreage beside Farleigh Lake in the outskirts of Penticton. An avid outdoorsman with an appreciation for nature, he skied at Apex Mountain, learned to skate and play hockey with his grandsons on the lake, gardened, fished, and rode. Tom loved music and sang with the Tune Agers Choir & Orchestra in Penticton. His greatest pleasure was being able to spend time with his family and celebrate every one of their achievements. A deeply spiritual man, Tom walked the path God set before him with faith and love. He was an active, valued member of St. Saviour's Anglican Church as well as the Order of St. Luke's and was training to be a Licensed Lay Minister. His life reflected true Christian values. Tom is predeceased by his parents John and Flora Wilfred of Chennai, India, and in laws Roma and Robin White of North Vancouver altspring Island, BC. He was a loving and devoted husband to Penny and a wonderful father to Peter (Kristi) and Ruth (Jamie). He delighted in his grandsons Quinn (10), Luke (8), Dylan (7) and Liam (4). Tom leaves his brother Mathuram (Patsy) of Baltimore, Maryland, his sister Shanthy (Pragal) in Chennai India, their families and in laws Teri, Tris (Sunny), John (Shirley) and Pam, their families and special friends Elaine and Leo. Cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends around the world will feel his loss. A service to celebrate Tom's life will be held at St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Penticton, on Saturday, November 8th at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Tom Santosham Memorial Award at the Okanagan College Foundation, Kelowna(www.okanagan.bc.ca/Campus_Community kanagan_College_Foundation, 1-888-650-6968), Canuck Place Children's Hospice, www.canuckplace.org, 604-736-2957); Stephen Lewis Foundation~Grandmothers for Africa, Penticton Group No.56729 (www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/ways-to-give 1-888-203-9990 ext. 226).
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