Ramesh Bhakta

Life of Ramesh Bhakta

Ramesh Bhakta of Dhaman, Mississauga, and Corpus Christi passed away peacefully on February 5 th 2026. He was known for his kind heart, playing cards, sports, and helping so many begin their life journeys in finding motels and businesses for many years.

Today, we gather to honor and remember the life of our father, Ramesh Bhakta-a man defined by loyalty, hard work, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to family. This is a short glimpse of his life story.

Our father was born in Dhaman, the eighth of nine children of Lalludada and Dahyima. Growing up in a large family shaped who he became. From an early age, he was deeply devoted to his family and to the gham traditions he shared with his brothers and sisters. Loyalty defined him. When the opportunity arose to move to Canada-with his father's blessings-he embraced it with courage and hope.

After arriving in Canada, Ramesh found work and lived with roommates, including Mahendramama and others. During this time, he was shown a picture of his future wife. They began speaking and, without ever meeting in person, agreed to marry. After she moved to Canada, they were legally married on February 20, fifty years ago, followed by their traditional wedding ceremony the very next day.

Soon after the marriage, his father visited Canada for several months. Dad didn't just build a life for himself; he helped build lives for others. He worked tirelessly and helped many friends get married and settle into their new lives. He built a strong and loyal social circle-people who would do anything for one another. The bond among these early Canadians still exists to this day.

When his brother called him to America for help, Dad once again stepped up, as a devoted younger brother always would. With his wife and my brother as a one-month-old infant, he helped manage a motel, and then another. Over the years, he assisted countless people in finding motels and businesses of their own. His willingness to travel at any hour-driving long distances without music or radio-earned him the nickname "Ramesh Punkhi." He would go anywhere and always found a way to have Desi Chaa. As long as he had company, he loved his chaa at any hour and in any weather.

Dad had love for all sports, especially cricket, for which he would travel hundreds of miles to form a team and play. Somehow, he would always find enough players to make a team. He was even in the newspaper in Oklahoma and/or Decator, Illinois for cricket. He also loved playing cards, a passion he proudly passed down to both my brother and I.

Eventually, mom had to return to Canada to help her mom, my grandmother, and he joined her. Our family lived in Brampton for a year where he hosted weekly bhajans in our house before settling in Mississauga, Ontario. He worked demanding labor-intensive jobs, often coming home covered in aluminum dust. Ever resourceful, he brought home scraps and made practical items, including a bhangri stand for my mom. With the help of friends, he built a covered patio, constructed a long closet nearly fifteen feet in length, and even added a bathroom in the basement entirely from scratch.

True to his nature, he always jumped at the chance to help others. Our home was always open. He hosted annual holiday parties, organized picnics for the Bhakta Samaj of Canada, and welcomed new immigrants into his home-offering them a place to live, eat, and feel like family as they began their new lives. Many strangers from India stayed with us during this time, leaving as lifelong friends.

During this time, a workplace accident nearly cost him parts of two fingers while he was assisting a coworker. Thanks to skilled doctors in Mississauga, one finger was successfully reattached, though permanently crooked. After the plant closed and work became scarce, he made the difficult decision to return to the United States to pursue a business opportunity.

With the help of Raju Bhagat, he purchased the Days Inn in Robstown. There, Mom and Dad worked tirelessly while helping me and my wife raise their three beloved granddaughters-Rani, Suhani, and Aditi-who brought him immense pride and joy.

As time passed, age inevitably caught up with him. After leasing and selling the motel, our family moved into a newly built home on the south side of Corpus Christi. My older brother and his family joined us, and Dad joyfully welcomed his fifth grandchild, Henna.

Sadly, Parkinson's disease gradually took its toll, bringing tremors, mobility challenges, and cognitive decline. Mom cared for him devotedly for as long as she could, but eventually, he required round-the-clock assistance. One month ago, he was moved to an assisted living facility. In his final days, his thoughts often returned to his childhood home in India and to his parents-perhaps a sign that he was preparing for the journey ahead.

Dad passed peacefully, reuniting with his beloved parents and beginning the next chapter of his journey. His life was defined by loyalty, hard work, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to friends, family, and even strangers-values that will continue to thrive through all those he touched. His legacy lives on-in all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his extremely devoted and very loved wife, Sulbha Bhakta; his son Rajan and daughter-in-law Hiralben; his son Samir and daughter-in-law Amiben. He was a playful grandfather to 5 grandkids Prem, Rani, Suhani, Aditi, and Henna.

He is also survived by his sisters Maniben (Valley, Texas) and Niruben (San Diego, California) as well as brother Dhirajbhai and Sushilabhabhi (Escondido, California) , brother Sukhdevbhai and Sheilabhabhi (Dhaman) as well as Sitabhabhi (Padgha).

He was waiting to be reunited with his beloved parents Late Lallubhai and Dahyiben; Late Sisters Revaben and Somben; Late Brothers Bhulabhai and Ishvarbhai; Late Brother-in-Laws Ranchodbhai, Dhirajbhai, Ishvarbhai, and Pravinbhai; and Late Bhabhi Jamnabhabhi.

Funeral Services:

Saturday, February 7th, 2026, at 11AM CST.

Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service

1222 Morgan Ave

Corpus Christi, Texas, 78404

The family kindly requests that you refrain from traveling long distances to attend the funeral services. Instead, they would appreciate it if you could all keep him in your prayers.