Dayamoy Chakraborty

The oldest child of a large extended family, our father had many fond boyhood memories of his village life, first in Dhaka, and then as a young man in the cultural capital of Kolkata. He married an independent and educated young woman in 1961, Ava Chakraborty (1935-2018) and was happily married to her for nearly 57 years – missing her tremendously after her passing. They were devoted parents to Paul Chakraborty and his wife, Ipsha, and Sharmila (Shyama) Sachdev and her husband, Amit. Nothing made our father prouder than being a grandfather to his five grandchildren, Shawn, Paul, Nina, Anya and Shaila.

The most loving, kind-hearted person, as the name ‘Dayamoy’ connotes, our father was a devoted family man to his immediate and extended family. He advocated for his children’s education throughout their childhood and also that for his grandchildren. Our father and mother welcomed each grandchild into their family with the greatest joy, beyond words, and delighted in spending time with each one of them.

Earning a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering from the University of Calcutta, our father immigrated to London, U.K. in the late 1950’s for employment and educational opportunities, eventually earning a PhD in Microwave Physics, from the University of Surrey. He made professional contributions in wireless communication for several London-based organizations including the Marconi Company and the British Postal Service at Dollis Hill.

Our parents immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1960’s during a time of great opportunity, but were relatively few in number, culturally, with fellow like-minded Bengalis. They were instrumental in helping to shape the now thriving Sanskriti cultural organization of the greater Washington, DC area. Later, our father greatly supported our mom, who was instrumental in helping to found the Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, D.C. Without their resilience and dedication, our family would not be what it is today. We will always be grateful for their love and support.

Over three decades in the U.S., from the late 1960’s through the mid 1990’s, our father made significant professional contributions, in pioneering research in satellite communication and helping to put satellites into orbit. He worked for the renowned organizations of Comsat (Communication Satellite Corp.) and Fairchild Industries, had research affiliation with Intelsat and NASA and published numerous papers for IEEE magazine. He also served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University. One of his proudest accomplishments, however, was working as a research director for the prestigious Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL) to develop research in deep space exploration.

Some professional publications by Dayamoy Chakraborty:

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=0&q=dayamoy+chakraborty&hl=en&as_sdt=0,15

Though a highly accomplished man, our father always remained deeply humble throughout his life and lived very simply, never asking for or taking more than he needed. This humility, he and our mom, passed on to us as their children, something for which we are truly grateful.

After retiring, he and our mom spent twelve years in St. Petersburg, FL, a place they learned to love and call home, with its sunny climate, friendly dispositions and abundance of tropical foliage and flora. Our dad spent the last five years of his life in Peoria, Illinois – the final three and half years of which were spent living with his son and daughter-in-law. He was incredibly happy seeing his close family daily and feeling the love and support from many who cared for him.

We will miss our father dearly and will cherish him always - especially when we gather as a family. We continue to wish him peace, love and light – and pray that his spirit may reunite with that of his beloved wife, Ava. A memorial service will be held:

Saturday, August 19, 2023, 1 - 2:30 pm

Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel

2021 North University St.

Peoria, IL 61604

(309) 688-5700

Paul Chakraborty and Sharmila Sachdev