Bharat Ram

Bharat Ram, age 82, of Rockville, Maryland passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025. He was born in British Guyana on October 8, 1942, the second of ten sons born to Raghoo and Ramrattie (née Gupta) Gopee. He was raised in Triumph Village of East Coast Demerara in Guyana and attended St. Peter's Roman Catholic School in Beterverwagting (B.V.), Guyana. His first job was working in a dental clinic on Church Street in Georgetown, Guyana at the age of 16. He then began his career as an auto-mechanic and taxi driver in East Coast Demerara, and a special-hire taxi driver in Georgetown, Guyana. In his spare time, he also enjoyed teaching people how to drive. In the early 1970’s Bharat began a successful auto-mechanic and chauffeur business in Campbellville, Guyana.

He married his wife, Lalmonie "Etlyn" Ram (née Singh) in 1964. Bharat and Etlyn were married for 60 years and have one child, Jean. The family resided in Section "M", Campbellville, Guyana, until permanently immigrating to the United States to settle in Maryland in the 1980’s. After moving to the US with his wife and daughter, Bharat attended Lincoln Technical Institute and began working at Marten’s Volvo in Washington, DC. Bharat is preceded in death by his father, Raghoo, his mother, Ramrattie, his sister, Darling, and his brothers Samaroo, Deonanan, Chabilall, and Pooran. Bharat is survived by his wife, Etlyn Ram, his daughter, Jean Ram Donovan, his granddaughters Jean "Catie" Donovan Conte (Cole) and Caraline Donovan, and six brothers.

Bharat’s favorite hobbies were repairing cars, gardening, taking care of his pet birds, cooking with his wife Etlyn, watching movies, and listening to music. He took on an active role in the lives of his grandchildren, Catie and Caraline, by volunteering at their school events, teaching them how to drive, supporting them at their tennis matches, and teaching them to cook his favorite foods.

Bharat was a dedicated husband, a loving father and grandfather, a caring sibling, and a loyal friend. He had a gift for making others smile and laugh, and lived his life with positivity. He was hard-working and had an unwavering commitment to providing his family with the best opportunities possible. He will be always missed, but his legacy of generosity, kindness, and dignity will forever be remembered by those who loved him.

A visitation for Bharat will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Joseph Gawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. A committal service will occur Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20906.