Nalinikant Karsandas Parekh

Nalinikant (Nalin) Karsandas Parekh -- "Where there is love there is life." - Mahatma Gandhi -- LOWELL -- Nalinikant (Nalin) Karsandas Parekh passed away in Lowell on Saturday, June 22, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years old. Born on December 19, 1938 in Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar) to Karsandas and Kumud Parekh, he moved with his parents and sister to Ahmedabad, India as a child. There, he attended Shardamandir School, and, after completing college, travelled to the United States in 1961 to pursue a master's degree in structural engineering at Carnegie Tech (Mellon) University. After earning his degree, he went to work for San Vel Concrete Company in Littleton, MA. He later worked for McGuire and Associates and Beacon Construction in Boston, MA as a project manager. In 1972, he established his own construction company and worked on the construction and development of commercial and residential projects through May of this year. From 1987 to 1991, Nalin and his wife Edith owned and operated the Himalaya Restaurant in Lowell, MA, known for its fine Indian cuisine. For 27 years, he supported Mustard Seed Communities, which operates orphanages for abandoned children with handicaps and HIV and AIDS worldwide, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through running ethnic food booths at the Lowell Folk Festival. An active volunteer throughout his life, he supported and volunteered at the Shishu Bharati School, an Indian culture and language school for 35 years. He served on the board of Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, and UNITAS of Lowell. He was also a supporter of All Saints' Church for 42 years, volunteering in the nursery and renovating the parish hall. He is survived by his wife Edith Parekh of Lowell, his mother Kumud Parekh of Ahmedabad, India, and children Anissa Parekh of Alexandria, VA, Natasha Ramsingh of Port St. Lucie FL, Noah Parekh and daughter-in-law Sonja Sadkoswki of Boston, MA, Naomi Parekh of New York, NY and grandchildren Emma and Julian Ramsingh of Port St. Lucie, FL. He is also survived by his family in India; siblings and in-laws: Jyoti and Anil Thaker, Kirit and Hina Parekh, Praful Parekh, Madhu and Jeetendra Bhalani, Neela Parekh, and Virendra Parekh; nieces and nephews, Ashish Thaker, Paulomi Parekh, Mihir Parekh, Rushabh Parekh, Ruchita Parekh, Keya Parekh, Karan Parekh, Manali Bhalani and Amita Bhalani. His dog, Bella, also misses him. We find peace in knowing that Nalin will meet his father Karsandas, his brother Yogendra, his sister-in-law Meena, and his best friend Arvind while his spirit moves to its next journey. PAREKH -- In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mustard Seed Communities, an organization that Nalin devoted much time supporting, (www.mustardseed.com). A memorial service for Nalin will take place on Monday, July 1 at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Chelmsford at 6:30 pm. To RSVP, please email parekhmemorial@gmail.com.