MAHENDRAN THURAI

1936 - 2023

THURAI, MAHENDRAN January 29, 1936 – March 12, 2023 Beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, granduncle, 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 29, 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 immigrated 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 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. An avid soccer fan, he hosted World Cup parties for the whole family; and as a teacher, he coached soccer and track and field. As a young man in Colombo, he worked in the 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. 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 5:30-9 p.m. and the Funeral will be held on Thursday, March 16th, at 9 a.m., at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto, ON M4T 2V8. All friends, family, and members of his cherished community are welcome. Donations can be made to the Terry Fox Foundation, a race he used to enjoy participating in.