Dr. Kunjathan “Dr. T” Thankappan
October 26, 1938 - December 1, 2022
Dr. Kunjathan “Dr. T” Thankappan, age 84, a longtime resident of Newtown and Watertown, CT, and lately Newark, DE, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Kerala, India on October 26, 1938, he was the son of the late Velumbi and Kunjathan Thankappan. Kunjathan was a graduate of Trivandrum Medical College in Kerala, India, and after working for a few years, emigrated to the United States and settled in Newtown, CT. He was a psychiatrist at Fairfield Hills Hospital and Garner Correctional facility, both in Newtown, and was a consulting psychiatrist at St. Mary’s Hospital and Waterbury Hospital in Waterbury, CT. He also had a private practice in Watertown, CT.
Kunjathan also served as the medical director of the Morris Foundation and was a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He was also a lifetime member of the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates as well as a member of the St. Thomas Episcopal Parish in Newark. Kunjathan was dedicated to helping people all his life.
In addition to his parents, Kunjathan was preceded in death by his siblings, Cicily Matthews, K. Raghavan, K. Gopalan, Keksmykutty and Kunjuraman, Santha Thankappan, Nani, and P.T. Raghavan. He is survived by his wife, Chandrikamma Thankappan; son, Sunil; daughter-in-law, Soniya; grandchild, Nikil; sons, Sudhir and Sujith; sibling, Omana Raghavan; and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Parish, 276 South College Avenue, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately.
Any family members or friends who are unable to attend Kunjathan’s service can live stream the service by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kunjathan’s memory to the Food Bank of Delaware, 222 Lake Drive, Newark, DE 19702, Attn: Development Department or online by clicking here.
Shirly Baby
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to you Kochumavi. Our prayers are with you and the whole family. May the Lord comfort you and keep you safe under His wing.
Mini Alfred
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to you and our cousins as we join in your sorrow and grief. May the good Lord give you the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to hold in your heart forever. May you be comforted by the heavenly peace and surrounded by the love and comfort of your dearest family and loving friends.
Carol and Donnie
Donnie and I are so sorry to hear this sad news. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending our condolences to your family
Your neighbors
Carol and Donnie
Donnie & Carol Thompson
Prayers for the family 🙏. So sorry for your loss
Joseph M. Kavumpurath
Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Chandrika and children.
Bring back great memories of meeting in KACT events in its early years. May God bless all.
Jyoti Ramesh
Dear Chandrika— my deepest condolences to you and your family. You both were so kind to visit me in Simsbury, CT to give me strength during the difficult time in my life. My family will remember Dr. Thankappan as a kind, calm, reassuring and helpful human being.
Loretta D Dougherty
May sweet memories and the love of family and friends comfort you in this time of sadness.
With sympathy from your neighbor Loretta Dougherty
Mim and Ray Krout
As your neighbors in the Village of Long Creek, We extend our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. May you be comforted by many wonderful memories and knowing that he will be greatly missed by so many.
Ram Pathiyal
Nalini and I are very sorry to hear the sad news. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the family. Praying for his soul to rest in peace.🙏🙏
Ajith Ramachandran
Sincere condolences. I will miss Uncle T,he was such a kind soul. The times we all shared at Fairfield Hills were some of the best memories of growing up. RIP
Isac Cherian
Prayers & Condolences 💐 RIP 🌹🙏
Tom Odackal
Thinking of Chandrika and the rest of the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace Thangappan.
Antony Mathew
We would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family, We just want to let you know that our thoughts and minds are with you and your family
We just can’t but remember the needful help witch extended on time by Uncle & You, we are praying in our family Prayer and in Personal Prayer to Console by God to you and your family.
Ramesh and Susheela
We fondly remember Thankapan as a fun loving person and enjoyed his enthusiastic company playing cards in Damu and Sreedevi’s house.
Rajan
SUN SET. We were very deeply wishing to see you Anna.You were the light of our life.Now somany inspiring moments passing through my mind with you this time.
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to you Chechi.Our prayers are with you..
RAJAN
Dharmaja Raviendran
Ravi & I are saddened by Thankappan’s death . We have been friends since 1976 . We have good memories of our years In Connecticut. Those memories will never be erased . Our heart felt condolences to Chandrika,kids and grandkids. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you . May his soul rest in peace .
Lissy Sam
Heart felt condolences We are very sad to hear the sudden demise of our loving achayan he was very kind and loving person great loss for us we all from kuwait are praying for your family let God comfort you & ur children 🙏
Babu & Bina Makkencherry
Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to you and the family. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and family. May god give u the strength to bear the loss
C T Varighese
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family. May his Soul Rest In peace.
Subramanian family
Our heartfelt condolences to Chandrika and family. May God give you strength and courage to face this sad time. May Dr T s soul rest in peace and be with the lord.🙏
Rajni & Usha Patel
Dear Chandrika,
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with you and the family. Dr. T will be missed. May his soul Rest In Peace.
Stefano and Barbara Medio
Chandrika, Sending our sincere condolences and prayers for you and your family.
Preethi Nampoothiri
Uncle,
Will miss you forever.
Preethi
Binopaul varikkattu
Heartfelt condolences and prayes 🌹🌹🙏🏻🙏🏻
Lucy Reardon
Dear Chandrika, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your beloved husband.
You are both missed in our neighborhood, and I think of you both on my daily walks passing by your old home.
I am so sad to hear Dr. Thankappan passed, but I am glad you are with your family.
Jacob and Reeni
You’ll always be in our hearts, Thankappan!
DAISY JACOB
Dear Chandrika,
Our heartfelt condolences to you,Sunil,Sudheer& Sujith. You made us feel at home when we moved to newtown,ct in 1975. Feels like one of the link has been broken from the link of longtime friendship & bond for the past 47 years. Trust that we will meet Thankappan on the other end of the of the shore again.May the Lord bless you with peace & strength to continue a blessed life.
With love & prayers,
Daisy & Sunny
Patricia McKelvey
As the administrative assistant in the Dept of Psychiatry at St. Mary’s hospital I worked many years with Dr. T. He was a kind and gentle man. My sincere condolences to the family RIP Dr. T!
Fred and Cathy Quigley
Words can’t express the sadness in our hearts at the Doctor’s passing. The kindest, gentlest man one could ever have the privilege of calling our friend. We offer our most sincere condolences, love and peace to his wonderful family.
Theresa Ney
I’m so sorry for your loss was my dr for a very long time may dr T rest in peace
Thomas Taylor
So sorry to hear of your loss. I used to sit in front of you at the 8:00 service at All Saints Church. I’m the son of the late Donald & Ruth Taylor. I was also the nephew of the late Howard & Nina Hallock. Just remember even though they are gone they remain in your hearts forever.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Tom Taylor
Anna George
Our deepest condolences to Chandrika and family. May he rest in peace.
Mrinal and Anna.
Bill & Barbara Krayeske
Very sorry to hear about Dr Thankappan. It was always a pleasure to speak with both he and Mrs Thankappan. I will miss our “yearly” conversations
Sandya & Dev Shetty
Dear Chandrika
We are so sorry for your loss
Wishing you & the family comfort
& peace at this sad time
Bhuvan and Mohan
Dear Chandrika, please accept our condolences for your great loss 🙏🏽You and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers 🙏🏽 May his soul Rest In Peace🙏🏽
Bhuvan and Mohan George
Jai Vijayasekar
Heartfelt condolences to Aunty and the kids. Wishing you peace at this difficult time and strength in all the great memories. God bless.
Melody DeVoe
Chandrikamma and family, you have my deepest condolences. I will never forget warm smile and wave when I walked in the community. Although your grief and pain are overwhelming right now, in time you’ll think back on your time together with fondness and contentment. Remembering the good times in his and your lives will give you strength and faith to go on. And you will all be together again someday, healthy, loving, and at peace.
Antoinette Isley
Doctor Thankappan was such a good Doctor kind Soul.My Prayers for Comfort and Strength for Family
Eric R David
Condolences to bereaved family and friends.
Dicky John Uthaman
Dearest Kochumavi, Sunil, Ammama, Nikki, Sudhir & Sujith,
We offer our deepest condolences for the sad loss of our Uncle. We are thinking of you and keeping us in our prayers. I have very fond memories of your visit to Ireland a few years back and especially my conversations with Uncle on his journey to the States. I found Uncle’s life story inspirational and heart warming. We pray that our Lord watch over all of you in this time of grief. Hannah, Ruth, Sheeja & Dicky
Anirudhan pulikuzhy
Your memories will always exist in my heart `anna`🌹
PRADEEP KUMAR T.P
Prayers and condolences
Retheesh Raghavan
ആദരാഞ്ജലികൾ🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Sapana Thomas
My heart is with all of you. I’ll always remember him smiling, and the caps he wore, and his spirit. May he rest in peace.
Roshan
My heartfelt condolences to Kochumavi, Sunil, Sonia, Nikkil, Sudhir and Sujith on the passing away of Thankappan Uncle. Me and my family were very privileged to meet him, Kochumavi, Sunil and family, Sudhir and Sujith on our visit to Watertown CT wayback in summer of 2008 and also during Thankappan uncle and Kochumavi’s visit to our house in West Houston in Fall 2013 , where could spent quality time as an extended family reunion. I have fond memories of him as being a very humble and down to earth person soft spoken and well mannered inspite of being a highly skilled, successful board certified medical professional in the state of CT. May his soul rest in peace. My prayers are also for Kochumavi, Sunil, Sudhir and Sujith at this moment of grief on loss of Thankappan Uncle.
Roshan and family.
Shelley Hedberg
My heartfelt condolences to you, Chandrika, and your family. This world was a better place with your kind and gentle husband smiling on us all.
Christine Guiditta
So sorry for your loss dear lady
Rita Wolfe
Dear Chandrika,
i send you my most sincere condolences and positive thoughts as you remember you most beloved husband.
Sincerely,
Rita Wolfe– Watertown Garden Club
Jane Cammilletti
Dear Chandrika:
I was very sorry to hear the news that your husband recently passed away.
My thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad and difficult time.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
Jaya Namboodiri
Our heartfelt condolences Chandrika! Rest In Peace Thankappan! Jaya and Prasad
Liz Rinaldi
Chandrika, please accept my heartfelt condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Liz
Appu & Shoba
Dear Chandrika,
We are deeply saddened to hear the sudden demise of Dr. Thankappan. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow. May the healing power of deep love and beautiful memories he left behind help you through this difficult time and bring you comfort and keep your loved one close to your heart. Dr. Thankappan will always live on in our hearts and will be missed. May his soul Rest In Peace.
Nimi Kathuria
Dear Chandrika, we are both so sorry for your loss. Will remember the good times in Newtown CT,It seems we all grew up together and therefore this is a very big loss for all of us.
We pray that God will give you and your family strength to deal with this.
Nimi& Minesh Kathuria
Velandy Manohar, MD
Good Afternoon.
I am grateful that you folks at KACT sent out this notice and shared the wonderful story of the resilient Family Dr KT and Chandrika who lived among us and shared their generous hospitality in many different ways all through their lives in Newtown and Waterbury and Delaware,
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear and respected friend Dr. Thankappan. I have known him from about 1978. He maintained a high level of professional activity at Fairfield hospital, Garner and the Morris foundation and participated in professional organization including the CT. Psychiatric Society and worked to organize and build the first state wide Chapter of what was then called Am. Association of Psychiatrist from India. Later the name was changed to IAPA [Indian American Psychiatric Association. His work in CT and the annual Meeting of APA and the IAPA Sadly, he is the fourth stalwart from the New England Chapter of the IAPA who have all left us sorely missing them and diminished by their passing. I grieve their losses as do their family members, colleagues and friends. :Drs Padam Jain, K. Ramachandran, Rekha Ranade Kapoor and our dear friend and Colleague Dr. Thankappan. . Their contributions to the IAPA cannot be forgotten because of their leadership and efforts the New England chapter and the National IAPA is very influential organization in American Psychiatry and has helped to develop the careers of more than a few generations of Indian Psychiatrists.
Despite incredibly stressful, physically and emotionally experiences that he and his family members had to endure to meet and overcome with incredible tenacity and exemplary resilience for several decades and accrued miraculous triumphs to keep their family ever advancing towards their personal and family goals despite some extremely upsetting, seriously debilitating reversals from time to time.
However, th family continued to forge forward. Over the years his family and he maintained a lovely home in Watertown with a beautiful garden, socialized with friends and relatives, actively participated in the KACT activities e.g., playing the role of Mahabali and traveled far and wide and finally decided to move to Delaware to get closer to his children and their families. He was in some ways very much like Mahabali he was willing to give his all to promote the wellbeing of the people around him.
Dr. Thankappan served very marginalized people with severe MH challenges from the earliest formative stages fo life at Fairfield Hospital, Garner and Morris Foundation. The latter is very effective and highly regarded treatment system for addressing the huge multidimensional problems they experienced during their efforts to recover from Substance Use Disorders and associated Psychiatric disorders. He was able to nurture and treat his patients and interact in fulsome manner with all levels of the organizations with which he was associated.
I am bringing all this to your notice because Dr Thankappan and his family participated in the community and in his Church community and socially in an open and cordial manner despite several life threatening and psychologically taxing medical challenges affecting family members. Nobody but no body could have ever guessed or imagined from what we could observe in our professional and social contexts because of the extraordinary spiritual and family resources that Dr Thankappan, Chandrika, children and extended family.
I will miss him because he was genuine person and cared for my family and me as he did for the families of his patients, colleagues and as he did for his own family
I offer this prayer: to Chandrika , his children and grandchildren and extended family and all those who were close to him: numbers 6:24-26 kjv
Numbers 6:22-26
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace.”
I would like to offer this prayer from my spiritual tradition that offers me solace and succor: It is Malayalam Prayer from Njanappana: Facebook Tere are ten verses.
“Guru Nathan thunai chaika sanththam,
Thiru namangal navin mel eppozhum,
Piriyathe irikkanam nammude,
Nara janmam saphalamaakkiduvaan….”
I am grateful for the opportunity to be counted as one of his friends and colleagues and humbled by the incredible resilience and almost super- human spiritual resources that Dr KT and Chandrika and their children helped them to stay so admirably calm and poised and carry on and stay in the moment with incredible poise and grace. I will as many of you will, miss him greatly.
I join with members of KACT to respectfully offer my sincere deep condolences, prayers and thoughts to the family at this very difficult time.
My website has many posts that offer solace and succor to people who are experiencing great pain and distress. velandymanoharmd.com
Velandy Manohar, MD
Sreedevi
We will miss you forever Thankappan! Will Cherish the memories of your friendship and the fun times we had .
Damu and Sreedevi
Rose Soboleski
My family and I have been blessed to have had a short but very meaningful time with you at your former Watertown home. We offer compassion, prayers of peace and our heartfelt condolences.
Iris
Please accept my condolences. I worked with Dr. T at Garner. He was the most kindest , caring man. May he RIP. My prayers are with you