Jashbhai Shankerbhai Patel's Obituary
Jashbhai Shankerbhai Patel was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Born on July 12th 1932, in a village in Sunav, Gujarat, India to his late parents Gangaba Patel and Shankerbhai Vallabhai Patel. Siblings: Sarojben Patel and the late Rameshbhai Patel. Survived by his loving wife for 64 years, Urmila Patel, his 3 children: Mita Patel, Alka Patel and Viraj Patel, 4 Grandchildren: Vinita Patel, Riddhi Patel, Sarika Patel, Sameer Patel and 2 great grandchildren: Sareena Modi and Shaan Modi. A philosopher, poet, author, life-long political debater, citizen of the world and above all dedicated humanitarian, Jashbhai studied Economics and Political Science at Banaras Hindu University and the London School of Economics. He started his career as a commercial banker with Bank of India in Mumbai, India. In 1978 he left his esteemed position at the bank and he along with his wife moved to the United States and settled in Queens, New York so they can settle their children in USA. He continued his banking career at financial institutions in New York. Jashbhai then bought his beloved coffee shop in Manhattan in 1983, and continued to run it until the year 2000. While at the coffee shop he reflected on his life’s journey, experiences, and the people he met and began writing two books: The Quest and Gandhi, Marx and Smith: An Integrative Concept of Wealth of Nations and Human Society. Above all, we will always remember him for the loving and dedicated family-man and friend-to-all that he was till the very end. Jashbhai described it best in his own words: The Journey It has been a journey wild, but uplifting. Over the hills the rivers and the mountains, Across the shores and the oceans great.From one vista to new ones, Learning, assimilating and integrating, Into new fullness—richness, The fabric of life with all its colorful warps and wefts.Waves after waves, Mighty have crested and crashed, All melting into the midst, Never ever touching the calm beneath.So have all the currents deep and the turbulence vast, In the drama long of the life’s longings, Searching for its rhythms rich.Now a journey westward to witness the sunset, With a glorious orb scattering all the colors over the heavens high, Above the pacific palisades. The waves gently kissing the sands, Silky soft on the golden beach below.Waiting for the journeys end, The sunset of life lighting some lamps small, Leaving some smiles behind.Again on the move, Always on the move, Now for a journey without an end, But standing ‘still within,’ Never losing the self-serene.Who is this? Who came from? Who knows where? And wither he goes who will know?Jashbhai Patel April 27th, 2000Instead of sending flowers, we ask that you please join us in honoring his memory by donating in his name to either of these two causes that were very near and dear to his heart : UCSF Foundation to support gastroenterology research: Please make checks out to the UCSF Foundation and on the memo line or an accompanying piece of paper, write “Gastroenterology Research Fund (B0380) in memory of Jashbhai Patel.” Contributions can be sent to UCSF, P.O. Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339. OR Gifts can also be made online at https://makeagift.ucsf.edu by selecting “other” on the gift designation page and entering B0380. KQED: a public broadcasting channel that furthers education and knowledge. https://www.kqed.org/controller/pledge… Please select “Donate without a gift” and write “In Memory of Jashbhai Patel.”
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