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Venugopal Thangada
Venugopal Thangada
Obituary
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Venugopal Thangada Obituary
Dr. Venugopal Thangada passed away suddenly on February 16, 2025, in Glastonbury, Connecticut. He leaves a legacy of love and unwavering commitment to his family and community.
Born on November 15, 1952, in Suraram, Telangana, India, Venugopal grew up in a large family, with four elder brothers, three elder sisters, and one younger brother. Gifted in sculpting and drawing as a child, he chose a path of service through medicine, earning his degree from the prestigious Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad. After practicing briefly in India and abroad, he followed two of his brothers to the United States to build a new life.
In 1985, he married Shobha, currently an epidemiologist at the Connecticut Department of Public Health. In 1991, they moved from Chicago to Connecticut with their two children, Goda and Srinivas. Their home became a sanctuary not only for immediate family but for friends, extended family, and anyone needing a home-cooked meal, guidance, or a place to land and belong.
For 31 years, Dr. Thangada served as a child and adolescent psychiatrist and for a term as Medical Director at United Services, Inc., a nonprofit behavioral health center in northeast Connecticut. He was more than just a doctor-he was a mentor and advocate for countless families. He listened deeply, met people where they were, and gently but firmly supported them to become their best selves.
His compassion and dedication to patients was mirrored in his work with community. He and Shobha were pillars of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society and the broader Indian immigrant community. Their home regularly became a gathering place for celebrations, including their annual Diwali party, and a safe haven during challenging times. He tended to his relationships with friends and family like he tended to his garden, where he could be seen from spring to fall ensuring his plants came to life and thrived.
A quote in his office read: "If my heart can become pure and simple, like that of a child, I think there probably can be no greater happiness than this." - Kitaro Nishida.
Those who knew him well will remember his distinctive laugh- innocent and filled with delight- that often followed a meaningful, witty remark. They will remember how he patiently absorbed conversations with a warm smile before offering an insight that made someone feel truly understood.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shobha; his children, Goda and Srinivas; three brothers and their wives; two sisters and their husbands; and a vast network of family, friends, and colleagues whose lives he touched deeply.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make a donation in his spirit to a trusted charity of your choice or to one of the following mission driven organizations:
NAMI: https://donate.nami.org
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation: https://donate.bbrfoundation.org
Active Minds: https://support.activeminds.org
United Services: https://www.unitedservicesct.org/support/donate/
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Srini and Bela Mandavilli
May 3, 2025
Venu will be missed and we were so saddened. We will always remember his friendship, kindness, generosity of spirit, and always had a smile whenever we met. The times we were at Venu and Shobha's home at Diwali, it was lovely respite everything else and for that gesture and many more, dear VENU--- you have a deep void. Take care, Shobha and we are here for you and your family always. Bela & Srini Mandavilli
Maria fugazzi
May 1, 2025
My deepest Condolences to the family Dr. Thangada was an amazing person I had the pleasure to work with him and he will be miss
Yun Li
April 27, 2025
Dear family,
I remember when I first started my career a few years ago, Dr. T guided me with patience and kindness in every step. His gentle, understanding way of helping families was truly remarkable, and it still influences the way I approach my work in mental health today. I will always cherish the fond memories we shared. During meetings and even in the medical records room, Dr. T´s laughter and warmth made the day brighter. I´ll never forget the time we joked about my missing shoe. He good-naturedly teased me about how much I spend on shoes compared to his own frugality. That light-hearted moment, complete with our laughter echoing down the hall, perfectly captured his easygoing sense of humor.
Dr. T had a way of making everyone feel safe and comfortable, no matter the situation. I always felt at ease during our meetings, knowing I could be myself and share openly. His kindness and compassion made an undeniable impact on me and on everyone who had the privilege to know him. I am grateful for every memory and lesson he gave me. My heart goes out to all of you who knew and loved Dr. T during this difficult time.
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Kathleen Mackenzie
April 27, 2025
Dear Shobha, Goda
And Srinivas:
I worked very closely with your Husband and Dad. He was a legend in Northeastern CT in terms of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. Twice weekly he would check in with me as he was my Supervisor as a APRN-I can tell you I learned so very much from him. We had many good laughs together and he helped me bring my Hyacinths back to life. He was an exceptional soul that valued his wife.son and daughter-as well as family and friends! We have had many laughs-and got through the pandemic as a team. . I will always be grateful for the fact that he taught me so very much!
I was heartbroken to hear of the fact that he has passed but think of him often as well as his family!
Kate MacKenzie
Krishna Devulapalli
April 27, 2025
I was stunned to learn the demise of Venu through a mutual friend Vijay. We were great friends through college years and even in Chicago and Connecticut for some time. Our paths drifted and we lost in touch. There were times, I wished to pick up the phone and dialed him which I regret.We shared many things that were dear to us. His humor, love of music and movies , I still remember fondly.
Shyamala & I join our friends, fraternity and community at large to offer sincere condolences to the bereaved family.
I will cherish the time I spent with him forever.
Shobha, Srinivas and Goda, so sorry. May the almighty give the strength to bear the untimely loss.
Love you all
Krishna Devulapalli
Rao and Andal Singamsetti
April 19, 2025
We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Venugopal for his kindness, willingness to always help, and his wonderful and contagious smile. We will miss him
With deepest sympathy,
Rao and Andal Singamsetti
Doreen Brennan
April 16, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. It was also a great loss to me, and I was hoping the Celebration of Life was going to be a date I could go. Dr. Thangada meant so much to me. He was the first person I told at USI that a scan found that my son, Travis, had a brain tumor. He was always asking how we were doing; and if I was not here, he´d check in with my sister, Debbie, who also works at USI.
Unfortunately, we are heading up to Massachusetts that day to pick up our grandson. We are spending the weekend with him, including a Day with Thomas the Tank Engine.
Hugs and love to all of you... Doreen Brennan
Anil & Rama Vithala
April 15, 2025
Our deepest condolences to the "Thangada" family. We will miss Venue, but he will always be in our thoughts and will remember the good times, conversations and time spent together.
Anil & Rama Vithala
Lisa Knight
April 14, 2025
Dear Family of Dr. Thangada,
My deepest condolences on the passing of a wonderful person. Sharing about a time that we were on the same team at a company event; we were challenged to build a tall structure using balloons and the tallest structure won. I don't remember who won the game and that was not the importance of the game it was to see collaboration and teamwork. We had lots of laughs during this game and Dr. Thangada and I were really into engaging ideas of this structure. It is a nice memory that I will cherish, and I will not forget the time and care he put into serving people at USI. INC. staff, and people served he was always engaging and calm. I am so sorry for the loss of a man who truly was kind.
Sincerely appreciate his service;
Lisa M. Knight, SR. CM, USI. INC.
Philip & Kris Billings
April 9, 2025
Our Sincere condolences on the loss of Dr. Thangada to his entire family. Dr T. treated both our children at United and was of great support especially to us. We are saddened to hear of his passing but rest assured he has a special spot in heaven due to all the great work he has done here. Sincerely Billings Family.
Ravi Kuchinhotla
April 8, 2025
First of all, I can not believe the shocking news that Venugaru is no more!!
He is a great and bright soul with an abundance of humility, knowledge, brilliant wisdom, compassion and straight forwardness and at the same time his calm and quiet composure make him a sage-like person!!
It is quite certain both Rama and I miss him forever!!
Rama and Ravi
Nirmala Reddy
April 8, 2025
Dear Venu, we miss you a lot, not a day goes by without thinking about you. You are so dear to our family. You are in a safe place, rest in peace.
Laxmi &Subbarao Bollepalli
April 8, 2025
Dear Shobha garu , Goda and Srini we have no words to express
Laxmi & Subbarao Bollepalli:
Dear Shobha, Goda and Srini,
Hari
We have been in shock and disbelief that Venu is with God so soon. What we feel can never match your immense loss and the grief you feel.
Venu is such a gentle soul, always composed with genuine smile reminded me of a Rishi , a karma yogi with peaceful demeanor. Being in the same profession We never discussed about our professional Philosophy but only trends in our profession and about people we know mutually. I wish I spent more time with him on discussions of spiritual nature. He seemed full of wisdom , contentment and never in a hurry. Unfortunately God plucked him away in a Hurry from all of us.
His kindness and service attitude we all can learn from and emulate. While we were graduates from the same medical school OSMANIA at different times we have common friends and enjoyed reminiscing and discussing about our alumni gatherings etc..
His memories and the dedication and devotion of Thangada family to community service and to the Temple are unmatched.
We lost a great friend, model
Of humanity and a pillar in the community.
With heavy heart we request that you never hesitate to reach out giving us the opportunity to fill the big void his absence left in a small measure. May God bless you with relief and comfort.
OM Namasivaya
Laxmi & Subbarao
Veda & Suresh Dontula
April 7, 2025
Dear Thangada family,
We are very sorry for your loss. We lost a great friend and one of our most supportive community members.
You are all in our prayers, and please know we will always be there for your family in the way you have been there for us.
With love, the Dontula family
Ashwatha & Premalatha Narayana
April 6, 2025
"We are saddened to hear of Venu Garu´s passing. We have appreciated his friendship over the years and our community will miss his presence. We are sorry for your Family´s loss.
Sarada Devi Jonnalagadda
April 6, 2025
Beloved Dr. Venugopal Thangada. I dearly miss you my brother. Having you for a brother has been one of the greatest gifts that life has given me. Now my kids and I are lost by your sudden demise.
My beloved brother Venu garu was like a solid pillar to the society and to my family since once upon a time. Shobha garu, Venu garu and family are always there for our family. Now all I have are wonderful memories of my dear brother.
Dear Brother, Your memory is my keepsake. With which I´ll never part. God has you in his keeping. Sivakumar, Shriya, Esha, Sivani and Sarada have you in our hearts
We love you Shobha garu, Godha and Sreenu. We will always be there for you
.
Jonnalagadda Family.
Venkat rindu
April 4, 2025
In Loving Memory of Venu Babai (Aggi Babai)
Some people leave behind memories that stay warm in your heart forever. Babai was one of them. Funny, witty, and full of life, he had a way of turning every conversation into a moment of laughter and wisdom.
I´ll never forget the day I was cooking chicken, and he stood beside me, sharing stories of his childhood cooking style-his voice filled with nostalgia, his smile lighting up the room. That´s who he was, someone who could make even the simplest moment feel special.
He had a spark that earned him the name Aggi Babai, and that fire lives on in all of us who loved him. His stories, his laughter, and his spirit will never be forgotten.
We miss you deeply, Babai. Your memory is a blessing we´ll carry always.
Rindu ..
Krishna & Aruna Pattipati
April 3, 2025
Aruna and I miss Venu Thangada a great deal. He was a remarkable doctor who exhibited compassion and concern for others and especially for my family's occasional health issues. The same is true of Shobha, to whom both Aruna and I feel very close.
Although Venu was a psychiatrist, I always told him that he was the best doctor I know. Our interactions were always warm, and his extraordinary care, kindness and concern were evident in everything he did. He helped my elder brother navigate his mental health journey, supported my younger brother through a bout of bacterial pneumonia late last year, and provided invaluable medical advice to my wife when she needed it most.
We are all shocked by his sudden passing. Although he leaves an unexpected void, he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humility, and a deep commitment to caring for one another. The best way to honor him is by making our communities kinder, our care more heartfelt, and our connections deeper.
Shobha, Srini, and Godha, you can always count on us-as we could count on Venu.
Bharat & Vijaya Kolluri
April 2, 2025
We always had pleasant conversations with Venu at many of our social gatherings and dinners with his usual smiles and jokes. Above all, he was extremely helpful to many of us at major family events and celebrations like your own cousin or uncle. We dearly miss him and pray for his soul to rest in peace with God.
Lakshmi Sarma
April 2, 2025
We lost such a solid supportive friend
We will forever miss his warm hospitality and genuine smile.
Anil & Bhavani Nagalla
April 1, 2025
Gentle giant that we know of for the past 25 years. Learnt a lot from him over the years , one of those being how to be cool and composed in any situation. Forever in our sweet memories.
Anil & Bhavani Nagalla
Shruthima Thangada
March 31, 2025
Many people will walk in and out of our lives, but it is only a select few that will leave a footprint on our heart. I can truly say as Babai´s niece that he was one of the select few that did make an impact in my life. We appreciated each others sense of sarcasm and humor which I always found refreshing. He was always present, in person and with enthusiasm, for any milestone that happened in my family. He was always one of the first people I would hear from to congratulate me on an achievement or simply give his well wishes on a holiday. His open-mindedness, keen listening skills, and approachable nature made it so easy for me to have a conversation with him. Babai- thank you so much for being an AMAZING uncle to me. You will always be loved, never forgotten, and forever missed.
Love your niece,
Shruthima
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