Jega A. Arulpragasam

Jega A. Arulpragasam, 79, a former resident of Stow, MA, and current resident of Lunenburg, MA, died Saturday, August 18, in his home, after a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 35 years, Emily (Pearlstein) Arulpragasam; two sons, Rajpal Arulpragasam, and his wife, Michelle, of Woodbridge, CT and Rohan S. Arulpragasam of Southend-On-Sea, UK; three daughters, Roshan S. Hill, and her husband, Tony, of Sidney, Australia, Darini S. Arulpragasam of Savoy, IL, and Elise Springer of Middletown, CT; one brother, Lucian C. Arulpragasam, of Manila, Philippines; one sister, L. Aruljothy Arulpragasam of Colombo, Sri Lanka; and 9 grandchildren; He was predeceased by a brother, Dr. Albert C. Arulpragasam. Mr. Arulpragasam was an accomplished computer hardware designer with IBM, DEC and many other companies. In 1984 he co-founded a software company, Nashoba Systems, where he served as president until retiring in 1988. Having studied mathematics in Ceylon in his youth, he finished his B.A. in mathematics at Fitchburg State in 1990 and then did graduate mathematics at the University of New Hampshire. His passions included astronomy, bird watching, and walking with his dogs in the woods. As a member of the Hickory Hills Landowners Association, he took the lead in creating a network of walking trails in the Hickory Hills woods, including a trail named after him, "Jega's Walk." He was born on October 30, 1932, at Mandapam Camp, India, to Ceylon nationals Dr. Albert R. and Bertha P. (Chellappah) Arulpragasam. He lived in Ceylon-now called Sri Lanka-until 1957; thereafter in England 1957-1968, Canada 1968-1970, and several parts of the US since 1970. Calling Hours will take place at the Lunenburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 763 Mass Ave., on Saturday, August 25 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. They will be followed immediately by a short memorial service. The Rev. Mary Ann Barry will officiate. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Hickory Hills Landowners Inc., with memo line Lake Management Group, P.O. Box 298, Lunenburg, MA 01462 or the Salvation Army Corps & Community Center, 739 Water St., Fitchburg, MA 01420 or may be left at the Funeral Home. See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information.