Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 31, 2021
There are a few people who steal your heart, unknowing that if they were to depart earlier than necessary, they would cause devastation.
Soundararajan Thiruppathi, who was referred by many of as Soundhar Tirupathi, passed away at about 730 pm on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Auckland Hospital.
His funeral service, held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Ann’s Funeral Home in Wiri, Manukau, was attended by more than 400 people.
Final, precious moments
He was 54 years of age and doctors gave him half of an hour, saying that he would not be able to emerge from medical complications that had enveloped him.
Those 30 minutes became the most precious in his life, in the life of his wife Sheba and their daughters Saankhya and Sanchaya, Sankhya husband Josh, his family and other members of the immediate extended family.
Mr Soundhar spoke to his mother and dear ones in India through a video call, said ‘Goodbye’ and spent about 20 minutes with his wife and children.
Soundararajan Thiruppathi and his wife Sheba with daughters Sanchaya and Saankhya (Facebook)
He was lucky to have known of his end, one may say, but the agony that it caused in his wife, children and scores of us who were waiting on him and his family cannot be explained. We were in prayer and hoped that everything was a dream and that we would soon wake up to reality.
In life, what is feared is more likely to occur than what is hoped.
Mr Soundhar was more than a husband to his wife and father to his daughters and a friend to almost all of us. He was a care-free soul, always smiling, always reaching out for the good, soft part of people and always speaking out his mind and heart.
Life and Career
Born and raised in Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, he attended the R.S. Krishnan Higher Secondary School, the ER Higher Secondary School and later the Thiagarajar College of Arts and Science, Madurai, where he obtained his graduate degree (BBA). He later attended the Annamalai University in Chidambaram to earn his MBA and finally a Diploma in Export Management from the United Kingdom.
Mr Soundhar’s professional career took him to Muscat, Oman, where he worked as Senior Marketing Executive for Amiantit Oman. Following his migration to New Zealand with his family, he was employed at Barfoot & Thompson in Auckland.
Warm-hearted leader
A community leader, Mr Tirupathi was a warm-hearted, friendly and fun-loving person and had endeared himself to thousands of people throughout New Zealand.
He was a former President of Muthtamil Sangam Auckland and Vice-President of the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society which owns and manages Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam located at 69 Tidal Road, Manger, South Auckland.
Sheba is a current Member of the Executive Committee of Muthtamil Sangam Auckland and its former Secretary. She is also a Real Estate agent at Barfoot & Thompson.
The Knower only knows
As it was mentioned at the funeral service, “The Vedas affirm, ‘The Knower, the Author of Time, the Possessor of Qualities and all Knowledge, it is He who envelopes the Universe. Controlled by Him, this work of creation unfolds itself, that which is regarded as Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Om Nama Shivaya.”
Indian Newslink offers its sincere condolences to Sheba Soundhar, her daughters and their extended family. We pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.
