Mathai Chandikunju Chemmachel was born to Chandikunju and Mary Chemmachel on March 17, 1941 at Punnathura, Kerala, India. He was the second oldest of their 9 children.
Mathai had completed elementary and high schools at Kurumulloor and Kaipuzha respectively. He attended Carmel Polytechnic College at Allapuzha and graduated with diploma in electrical engineering. He served as a tutor at the Natakam polytechnic for one year and moved on to Calcutta where he joined the Military Engineering Service.
Mathai married Susamma Kaithakkatusheril on July 30th 1973. Susamma joined him at Calcutta and later transferred to Assam, Puna, Cochin and Hydrabad. He took voluntary retirement after 25 years of service and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1989 with his family. Since arrival here Mathai completed a course in Aeronautical engineering, and later joined Fresenius as a Chief Tech in 1991. He was retired in 2007 after 16 years of service.
After retirement Mathai enjoyed traveling with his wife. For the next 10 years they had spent the winter months in India and returned to Texas during Summer.
He had been very active and worked hard to bring up Dallas Knanaya community in the early years. He enjoyed spending time with his old pals, grand children and family. He was a perfectionist; he would put in every effort and sacrifice in all his work and took great proud of his work.
Since 2017 even while fighting physical disabilities, he enjoyed visits from family and friends. On Thursday February 18th, 2021, Mathai joined his heavenly father, surrounded by his family at his home.
He was preceded in death by his brother Mon Chemmachel, and his parents Chandikunju and Mary Chemmachel.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25
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