Harish Kantilal Pandya

Harish Kantilal Pandya, 80, of Newington, beloved husband for 50 years of Aruna Mukundrai Pandya, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home after a brief illness. Born in Bharuch, Gujarat, India on December 3, 1944, son of the late Kantilal Someshwar and Champaben Chotallal (Joshi) Pandya, he was raised in Bombay, India and was a graduate of MM Pupils Own School. After high school, Harish continued his education at Mithibai College in Bombay, India where he received his Bachelor's Degree. In 1969, he immigrated to the United States and settled in San Francisco, CA where he attended Heald College and studied mechanical engineering. After completing his second bachelor's degree, he moved to Hartford to be closer to his sister. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Harish enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Hartford. In 1975, he returned to India and married Aruna Pandya and the young couple returned to the United States. They lived in New York City for a brief time, before returning to Hartford and then Newington in 1988. An entrepreneur at heart, Harish opened the first Indian restaurant in Hartford in 1976. His restaurant, Bombay Cuisine, was featured in the media and he was interviewed by Gayle King on Channel 3 News. After several years, he closed the restaurant and opened a package store, Imlay Package Store on Hawthorne Street in Hartford which he operated for over 20 years until his retirement. Proud of his Indian heritage, Harish gave back the Indian community in many ways. He helped many family members and friends adjust to life in the United States and was an active member of the Indian Association of Greater Hartford, serving several terms as President. Harish also helped to build the Hindu temples in Middletown and later in Newington and dedicated his life to helping his community. Harish worked with many politicians at the state and national level and was instrumental in getting the State of Connecticut to raise the Indian flag on Indian Independence Day every year at the State Capitol building, a tradition that is recognized in only three states. Most of all, Harish will be remembered as the pillar of his family. He was very social and talkative, had a great sense of humor, and was sought after for his direct and honest advice by family members and friends. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and relaxing at his home with family. He loved movies, street food, comedy shows, cricket, music, the arts, and staying abreast of current events. In addition to his wife, he leaves two children, Lopa Harish Pandya and her husband Saurabh Puri of Waterford, CT and Hiren Harish Pandya of Newington; two grandchildren, Sanaah Puri and Yuvaan Puri both of Waterford; two siblings, Rashmika Shelat and her husband Pramod of West Hartford, CT, and Kaushik Pandya and his wife Deborah of Daytona Beach, FL; a brother-in-law, Prakash Thaker of West Hartford; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Shoba Thaker. A funeral pooja will be held on Sunday, June 1, 12 Noon, at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to his temple in India, Sakori Ashram Upasani Maharaj Temple by visiting, https://www.tmcfunding.com/funds/sakori-ashram-upasani-maharaj-temple/13450/. For online condolences and to view the services live or after, Sunday, June 1st at 12 Noon, please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harish, please visit our floral store.