Nilakantan Nagarajan

Dateline: Glenville, NY

Nilakantan "Rajan" Nagarajan passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, at the age of 92. Born in Chennai, India, he was the eldest of five children born to Nilakantan and Jayalakshmi.

Rajan began his career in Aden as an instructor and accountant, where he also met his beloved wife of 30 years, Meena. Their journey took them to London, where he worked successfully as a controller for PRD Electronics, and later they came to New York in 1970. Together, Rajan and Meena warmly welcomed countless new arrivals to the United States-many remember being greeted by them at JFK-and opened their homes in East Northport and Stamford. They were deeply involved in the Flushing Hindu Temple Society and were passionate patrons of Classical South Indian (Carnatic) music, hosting artists and supporting the Carnatic Music Association of North America (CMANA), where Rajan served in leadership for many years.

A lifelong learner, he excelled at the Hindu Theological High School and went on to receive his Honors Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mathematics from Vivekananda College. Rajan later earned his MBA and Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. He presented papers around the world on ethics and technology, and published widely on the subject. He was especially engaged in advancing Information Systems applications in developing nations, particularly India.

Rajan's teaching career spanned many universities, including Hofstra University, Adelphi University, Fordham University, the University of Bridgeport, and Central Connecticut State University, before continuing in Delaware at Wesley College and Delaware State University. He concluded his academic career as a pioneer for the University of Maryland's online graduate program. Even in retirement, he stayed active, taking on projects such as translating Tamil documentaries for National Geographic Television.

After Meena's passing in 1994, Rajan moved to Delaware, where he built a meaningful academic and community-centered life. He served with the NAACP Central Delaware Branch, was elected NAACP state treasurer, and contributed on the Dover Human Relations Commission. After retiring, he moved back to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, living in Bethel, CT, and later near Saratoga, NY. Until his health declined, he was active with the Hindu Temple Society of the Capital District, the Glenville Senior Center, worked proudly as an election poll worker, and served as a founding member and treasurer of the Society for Voluntary Aid to India (SVATI), which supports education and care for vulnerable communities in India.

Rajan loved traveling the world, reading, movies, and crosswords, and enjoyed sharing those passions through book clubs, film clubs, and community activities. Above all, his greatest joy was being 'Thatha' to his beloved grandchildren. He relished every moment of sharing his playfulness, wisdom, and humor with them and treasured the many lessons they, in turn, taught him. He will be remembered by so many for his kindness, quick wit, dry humor, and warm smile.

Rajan was predeceased by his wife Meena and his sister Susila. He is survived by his daughter Lakshmi and her husband James (Jamie) Vilics; his treasured grandchildren James and Michael Vilics; and his siblings Ramamurthi, Prema, and Lakshmi. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and loved ones whose lives he touched.

A Remembrance Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, from 12–2 p.m. at Townley and Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, NY 12019, with a sharing of memories beginning at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend at any time during the hours above. If you would like to speak at the service, please contact Kathleen at TownleyWheelerFH@gmail.com so that we can make sure to allow the appropriate time for all.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rajan's memory may be made to the Sri Poorna Maha Meru Trust, an organization dear to his heart: https://sripoornamahameru.org/donations/#donation-section.