It is with heavy hearts we announce that Baiju Mathew, 45, passed away during the early hours of Saturday, May 26, 2018, from injuries sustained in a massive cardiac arrest.

Baiju was born on March 23, 1973 in Ranni, Kerala, India. He attended Mor Severios Higher Secondary School, then graduating from St. Thomas College. He completed his Master’s degree in Social Work from Indore School of Social Work (ISSW). Baiju then went on to study at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, completing his pre-doctoral degree M. Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work.

After completing his studies at NIMHANS, Baiju started his career working at the Richmond Fellowship Society, Bangalore, India, an affiliate of Richmond Fellowship International, London UK, which operates several services for individuals with mental health challenges. He also served as a Professor teaching Psychosocial Rehabilitation to post-graduate students for several years. Baiju has several published research papers in international science journals, leaving his mark on the world through the contributions he has made.

In 1999, Baiju married Sheeba at St. Thomas Valiyapally in Ranni. Baiju moved to Canada in 2004 and shortly after, brought his family in 2005 to the wonderful place he now called “home”. They welcomed two children; Lianna and Reuben born in 2000 and 2006, respectively. For the last 14 years, Baiju has been working at Trillium Health Partners as Mental Health Social Worker and was dedicated and passionate about his job.

Baiju has been a pillar in his Church community as well; he has served on the Board of Directors as Secretary of St. Ignatius Knanaya Church Toronto. He has lead multiple community events including fundraising events for the church and other efforts to support community charities. He shared his gift of music as he sang in the Church choir since the formation of the St. Ignatius Knanaya Church, and has led the Church members to participate year after year in the Kerala Christian Ecumenical Fellowship. He was instrumental in the development of such strong bonds within the Knanaya and Malayalee community at both a local and international level. Through Baiju’s heavy involvement in the Church community, he was a well-known and well-respected individual and his absence will truly be felt by the whole community.

Baiju was predeceased by his dear parents Leelamma and T. M. Mathew (Kanapuzha). Left to cherish his memory, Baiju is survived by his beloved wife Sheeba, his two children Lianna and Reuben, his sister Mini, numerous cousins, nieces nephews, and friends.