Brahman Sivaprakasapillai

Dr Brahman Sivaprakasapillai, 84, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2020, in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. He was an accomplished gentleman who, in addition to his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Aeronautical Engineering, was well read, loved the symphony and opera, and global travel (by ship or plane). Brahman loved swimming laps in the pool, and enjoyed many a recreational tennis game with friends. He especially loved a good debate with anyone willing (and able) to take him on. :-)

Brahman was the son of late Mr. and Mrs. Thambyahpillai and Leelamani Sivaprakasapillai, brother of Dr. Pratab Sivaprakasapillai and Dr. Premala Sivasegaram. He was the husband of the late Dr. Vijayalakshmi (Viji) Sivaprakasapillai, father of Narayani, Dr. Brahmesh Sanjeevan and Dharshana Sivaprakasapillai, father-in-law of Dr. Maya Sivaprakasapillai, and, most lovingly, grandfather (Thatha) of Neel, Vaishnavi and Nitish Siva.

He was born and grew up in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, and attended Royal College during his school years (grades 1-12). Brahman worked at the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) during the holidays before he entered the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ceylon. He attended Imperial College, London for his graduate work and worked in England, Scotland and Sri Lanka before Viji and he emigrated to New York with their three children in 1978. He was a practical and able engineer and was responsible for the design and manufacture of pumps and dredgers.

They settled in Mamaroneck, New York, where they raised their children, continued their professional careers, and built a community of lifelong friends. He was a great family man who not only got along with his own family, but also exceptionally well with Viji’s family so much so that he would insist that the children stop what they were doing, even sleeping, to speak to their maternal uncle when he called from Colombo. He would drop the children off at school, including to and from their colleges, and loyally attend Narayani’s swimming meets. Brahman was a tower of strength to the children at moments of anxiety, and even to children of friends. A cousin who was sent to boarding school in England remembers that when he was extremely homesick and disoriented, Brahman’s very positive and cheerful personality gave him strength to cope with the challenges of adjusting to the new environment. Brahman wanted the children to be independent and encouraged them to figure things out for themselves and not rely on their parents for everything.

The social calendar in New York overflowed with dinners and dance parties, multi-state Christmas Eve celebrations and, most notably, New Year’s Eve bashes hosted by Viji and Brahman for many years culminating in the collapse of foam ceiling tiles in the basement due to much dancing and revelry by guests!! Until impeded by knee injuries, Brahman generally befriended many a neighbor while running outdoors with the two family dogs in the mornings and was an avid New York Yankees fan until the very end.

After decades of living in New York, Viji and Brahman decided to spend winters close to Sanjeevan in Florida. With the loss of his beloved Viji in January 2019, Brahman spent his final years living close to Narayani in Virginia. He is survived by his beloved children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nephews/nieces, friends and their respective families. Brahman was a wonderful family man who will be dearly missed forever. May he attain Moksha.🙏🏼