Beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, grand-uncle, teacher, and community leader Mahendran Thurai passed away on Sunday, March 12th at the age of 87. He is survived by his dear daughter, Lakshmi Thurai, and his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Dr. Indranee Thurai.

Mahendran was born in Udivil on January 29th, 1936. His three brothers and sister, all of whom he was very close to, spent their childhood in Colombo, Moratuwa, and Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He emigrated to Canada in 1967, where he became a pillar of Toronto’s early Tamil community. Through the 1980s, he helped lead the development of Canada’s first Tamil Co-op Housing at Lansdowne and Bloor in Toronto, and lobbied the federal government for relaxed visa requirements for Tamils fleeing Sri Lanka’s civil war. Mahendran’s commitment to his community has had a lasting impact on Toronto’s rich multicultural heritage and Tamil-Canadian identity. His work, and the countless lives it has supported and changed, are a part of his legacy.

Mahendran was a giving and devoted teacher at the Toronto District School Board for 26 years. After retiring in 1998, he spent several years at the City Adult Learning Centre teaching English as a second language to newcomers to Canada.

As he grew older, Mahendran never lost his passion for fitness and sports, regularly going for jogs and long walks. An avid soccer fan, he hosted World Cup parties the whole family would attend, and as a teacher, he coached soccer and track & field. As a young man in Colombo, he worked in the luxury car import business, leading to a healthy enthusiasm for sports cars in his golden years.

As a family man, Mahendran will be dearly missed. He will be remembered for his warmth and charm, and how he was always ready with a joke. His positivity and upbeat personality made those around him feel welcome, and his smile could light up any room. He was always there for those he loved, and he was loved by all who were lucky to know him.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 15th from 5:30pm - 9pm and the funeral will be held on Thursday March 16th at 9am, at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON, M4T 2V8. Lunch to follow at 21 Banbury Road. All friends, family, and members of his cherished community are welcome. 

The family asks that donations be made to The Terry Fox Foundation, a race he enjoyed participating in.