Joseph Neicheril

Joseph Neicheril was born in 1925 to Simon and Mariamma (Kandarapally) Neicheril in Kumarakom, Kerala. The second of seven siblings, he was the brother of NC Kuriakose (deceased), Rev. Father Mathew Naduvilaparampil (deceased), James Neicheril, Annamma James Pannivelil, Marykutty Simon Pachikkara, and Jemmakutty Abraham Padinjarepurackal (deceased). He was the nephew of Rev. Father Lukose Naduvilaparampil and Monsignor Joseph Kandarapally.

After graduating from Sacred Heart Mount High School in Kottayam, he went on to St. Xavier’s College in Palayamkottai and Trivandrum Training College where he earned a Bachelor of Teaching degree. He was the first person in his family to earn a college degree.

In 1952, he began his career as a high school teacher that spanned a period of over 30 years in 3 countries on 2 continents. His first job was in a small rural town in Endeber, Ethiopia. He then went on to hold teaching positions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia until 1966, after which he moved with his family to Zambia where he continued his career in Mazabuka and Lusaka. In 1981, he moved to the United States and eventually ended his career in Houston, Texas, where he continued to teach until the age of 90.

On January 10, 1954, he married his beloved, Josephine Alapatt, youngest daughter of Africa Kurian, and who he affectionately called “Jeo”. They remained happily married for almost 70 years and had four children together: Mary Ann (Tony) Dhir, Simon (Sharon), Cyril (Nikki) and Frank (Betsy). In addition, they had seven grandchildren: Arjun Dhir, Nisha (Michael) Villegas, Sofia, Samuel, Maya, Dominic, and Nadia Neicheril, and two great-grandchildren: Brandon and Ava Villegas.

Joseph was a wise, kind, gentle, and dignified man. He was highly respected as an icon in the Knanaya community in Houston and many people came to him for advice on a variety of topics. The most important thing to him was always the strength of family unity and he always encouraged his children to be humble and to respect the dignity of others no matter what their station in life. He was known to say; “There is dignity in all work”. While Joseph was a devout Catholic, he had great knowledge of Hinduism and Buddhism. He was an avid organic gardener, growing most of what he ate, and any plant flourished under his care. He loved to fish, frequently driving to Galveston in the middle of the night for the best catches. He was passionate about listening to the news (especially politics) and always enjoyed the company of others although very quiet by nature. After moving to America, he expanded his musical horizons, becoming a fan of country music singer Willie Nelson. Later in life he enjoyed watching Malayalam serials (soap operas).

Joseph was a loving patriarch, not only for his family, but for an entire community. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in eternal peace.

A visitation for Joseph will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Houston Knanaya Catholic Society, 2210 Staffordshire Road in Missouri City.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1510 Fifth Street in Missouri City.

Interment will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Rosenberg.

PLEASE NOTE: The family requests that those in attendance to the services to please wear a protective face mask.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:

http://giftfunds.stjude.org/JosephNeicheril.

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