A. Thomas Jayaraj passed away on March 18. He was 98 years old.
Thomas was well-known in his neighbourhood ( San Thome / Mandavelipakkam) and in educational institutes for his immense skills in electrical and electronic gadgets; he not only indulged himself in his passion at home but also lent a hand to institutes that respected his skills.
Thomas studied at The Kellett School in Triplicane ( now in its 126th year) and went on to join the Posts & Telegraph department where he was attached to the Railway Mail Service (RMS), its office adjoining the Central Railway Station campus where he remained for decades, putting in over 35 years of service.
“Dad used to love cycling and he cycled from home to work and back all the years,” said his daughter Sherene John.
He made time to indulge in his passion in micro electronics, creating small gadgets and repairing clocks, watches, radios and audio speakers that were brought to him by neighbours and friends.
He helped create micro hearing aids for students at CSI School for the Deaf in San Thome and supported the work on accessories and equipment at the Clarke School for the Deaf in Mylapore.
Sherene said that he even created micro lapel mikes that pastors could use at church services.
The family resided on 8th Trust Cross Street in Mandavelipakkam and attended the CSI St Thomas English Church and the CSI St Thomas Tamil Church in San Thome.
Post-retirement, he would spend some evening hours helping his daughter who ran a snacks kiosk off the Marina ( she went on to own and manage a restaurant chain).
He spent the last years at Sherene’s residence off Greenways Road, R. A. Puram. He is survived by his wife Victoria, two daughters, Patricia Thomas and Sherene John and one son, Daniel Alex. Contact Sherene – 9884020157.
