In memory of
Alummoottil John Varghese
March 22, 1930 - October 29, 2024
Alummoottil John Varghese, PhD
March 15, 1930 - October 29, 2024
It’s with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Dr. Alummoottil John Varghese early on the morning of October 29th, 2024.
Alummoottil John Varghese was born in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India to Mariamma Yohannan and Yohannan Mathai on March 15, 1930. He was the third of six siblings, John Mathai, Mariamma Devassya, Pennamma John, Sister Lurana S.I.C, and John Thomas. Tragically, he lost his father at the age of 8. At the age of 10, his mother selected him between he and his sister to attend the new government school, as they only had money to send one of them to school. He didn't waste the opportunity and studied very hard to achieve top marks.
AJ Varghese went on to study at Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, under the mentorship of the late Bishop Mar Ivanios and the late Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. He began his career as a Chemistry lecturer at Mar Ivanios college. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Chemistry in the US. He travelled by ship to the US to pursue doctoral studies at John Hopkins University in Maryland in 1961. He later relocated to Dallas, Texas as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Dallas.
On April 11, 1970, he married Dr. Aleyamma Thomas from Mallappally, Kerala in a very small ceremony in Dallas, Texas among a handful of friends. They welcomed their only child, a daughter, Gita, soon afterwards. They moved to Canada when his student visa expired and Aleyamma got a job in Toronto. Together they raised Gita whom Dr. Varghese adored and doted upon. Though he was demanding and short-tempered at times, his love for his family was steadfast and unconditional.
Dr. Varghese worked for almost 25 years at the Ontario Cancer Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital doing cancer research. After retiring in 1995, he kept busy with his many hobbies, including tennis, gardening, scientific research, and actively involved in his church and community, among a few. He was a founding member of the Peel Kerala Association. Dr. Varghese was also one of the founding members of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in Toronto. He was lovingly referred to as "Kochachen" (which loosely translates to small father) by his numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom, he helped with their pursuit of education, and careers.
In 2000, he became the proud grandfather of Josiah and Asa in 2002. He doted on both of his grandchildren. He and Aleyamma travelled quite a bit of the next few years. They were inseparable, always doing things together, hand in hand.
Alummoottil Varghese died peacefully on the morning of October 29, 2024 at Credit Valley Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife of over 54 years, Aleyamma, daughter, Gita, grandson Josiah, and granddaughter Asa, his sister Pennamma, and younger brother Johnny, and sister-in-law Lissy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family. He will be dearly missed.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in his name.
March 15, 1930 - October 29, 2024
It’s with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Dr. Alummoottil John Varghese early on the morning of October 29th, 2024.
Alummoottil John Varghese was born in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India to Mariamma Yohannan and Yohannan Mathai on March 15, 1930. He was the third of six siblings, John Mathai, Mariamma Devassya, Pennamma John, Sister Lurana S.I.C, and John Thomas. Tragically, he lost his father at the age of 8. At the age of 10, his mother selected him between he and his sister to attend the new government school, as they only had money to send one of them to school. He didn't waste the opportunity and studied very hard to achieve top marks.
AJ Varghese went on to study at Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, under the mentorship of the late Bishop Mar Ivanios and the late Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. He began his career as a Chemistry lecturer at Mar Ivanios college. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Chemistry in the US. He travelled by ship to the US to pursue doctoral studies at John Hopkins University in Maryland in 1961. He later relocated to Dallas, Texas as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Dallas.
On April 11, 1970, he married Dr. Aleyamma Thomas from Mallappally, Kerala in a very small ceremony in Dallas, Texas among a handful of friends. They welcomed their only child, a daughter, Gita, soon afterwards. They moved to Canada when his student visa expired and Aleyamma got a job in Toronto. Together they raised Gita whom Dr. Varghese adored and doted upon. Though he was demanding and short-tempered at times, his love for his family was steadfast and unconditional.
Dr. Varghese worked for almost 25 years at the Ontario Cancer Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital doing cancer research. After retiring in 1995, he kept busy with his many hobbies, including tennis, gardening, scientific research, and actively involved in his church and community, among a few. He was a founding member of the Peel Kerala Association. Dr. Varghese was also one of the founding members of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in Toronto. He was lovingly referred to as "Kochachen" (which loosely translates to small father) by his numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom, he helped with their pursuit of education, and careers.
In 2000, he became the proud grandfather of Josiah and Asa in 2002. He doted on both of his grandchildren. He and Aleyamma travelled quite a bit of the next few years. They were inseparable, always doing things together, hand in hand.
Alummoottil Varghese died peacefully on the morning of October 29, 2024 at Credit Valley Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife of over 54 years, Aleyamma, daughter, Gita, grandson Josiah, and granddaughter Asa, his sister Pennamma, and younger brother Johnny, and sister-in-law Lissy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family. He will be dearly missed.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in his name.