Jitendra D. Pathak

JITENDRA DATTATRAYA PATHAK (1951 - 2024)

Thank you all for joining us to honor the life of Jitendra Dattatraya Pathak - our Jitendra, Jitu, Jit, Raja, and Baba.  He was a devoted husband and father and grandfather, a loving brother and neighbor and friend - kind and generous always, with a big smile and a warm heart.

He was born in Baroda in Gujarat, India in 1951 to Bhanumati and Dattatraya Pathak, the fourth of six children: Asha, Usha, Nisha, Manda, and Lalit.  His parents prized their first son, giving him the nickname Raja.  He loved spending time at train stations where his dad worked, playing cricket, and being with people.  He was everyone’s friend.

In 1971, he came to the US to study mechanical engineering at Northeastern University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees.  His work as an engineer took him from India to Indonesia to Singapore to the United States, where he lived in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, New York, Missouri, and New Hampshire.  He was charming and hardworking and made friends wherever he went.  

In 1980, he married Uma after being introduced to her by mutual friends.  They delighted in each other’s company throughout their 43 years of marriage.  They had two children, Sheel and Neena, but he only ever called them Sheeludie and Nanu, and always let them know that no matter what, they could always come home.  He loved watching football, spending time with his beautiful grandkids, Avi and Sami, and having a drink of single malt scotch with neighbors and friends.  

He taught us how to be precise and playful, how to love and forgive generously, how to roll with the punches.  He taught us that there’s no right way to speak, that language is for communication.  He taught us that you feel lighter when you don’t hold a grudge, and that there's beauty in jugaad.  He taught us how to appreciate music and make jokes and do magic.  He taught us how to keep in touch and take care of each other and make everyone feel welcome.  What a gift to love him and be loved by him.  What an honor to miss him.