Ovik Banerjee

Ovik was a self-proclaimed Swiss Army Knife at the Downtown Project Las Vegas. It felt that he was omnipresent because he had a habit of showing up everywhere. His passions ranged from environment to frisbee and from community building to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Ovik passed away on the 6th of January 2014 in Las Vegas. He was 24 years old.

Having attended Northridge High School he began a legacy that assured that whenever his siblings started a class, the question, “Banerjee, like Ovik Banerjee?” was always asked. He then attained his bachelor’s degree in the Environmental Sciences and Biology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After graduating with highest honors he was selected as a fellow by the program Venture for America and he was working in the Downtown Project Las Vegas. Ovik was very proud of spending 22 years of his life in the south and escaping without a southern accent.

He touched the lives of many - much more than most can in their lifetimes; he was that special.

Friends and colleagues described Ovik as ‘the kindest person on this planet’, ‘a gracious soul’ and ‘a bright light of inspiration.’ He will live on in the hearts he had touched. He will remain omnipresent.

Ovik is survived by his parents, Sati and Subhankar (Dr. Bandy) and his siblings, Orunima and Anondo.

Visitation: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday, January 13, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cemetery, 3802 Watermelon Road, Northport, AL 35473.

Memorial service: 5:00 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cemetery, 3802 Watermelon Road, Northport, AL 35473.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible contributions may be made in Ovik’s Honor at:

1) Venture for America

Online http://leaders-in-training.org/donate/

Via Check: Checks maybe payable to VENTURE FOR AMERICA, INC. and mail it to:

Venture for America

c/o Eileen Lee

40 West 29th St., Suite 301

New York, NY 10001

2) Leaders In Training and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as an after school college access program for Las Vegas students. Ovik was very close with its founder, Mrs. Erica Mosca, and was a mentor and friend to the organization. Donations can be made to the organization by:

Online http://leaders-in-training.org/donate/

Via Check: Leaders in Training, 5545 Dueces Wild Court Unit 101 Las Vegas, NV 89122

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Brown-Service Funeral Home, Northport, AL.