John Palayil Cherian

John Palayil Cherian was born on May 13, 1941 to the late P.J. John and Annamma John of the Palayil Family, in Kottayam, Kerala. He was one of 10 children. John completed his Bachelors of Science at CMS College. He then continued on with his education, receiving his Master of Science at Thevara College. On June 14, 1970, John married Sarakutty. He emigrated to Canada briefly and settled permanently in New York in 1971. He then received his Master of Social Work at Adelphi University. They were blessed with their beautiful daughter, Bebe. They lived happily for 24 years until the Lord called Sara home after her fight with cancer. With firm belief, God blessed him with another companion to continue their Christian life as a family. He was married to Elizabeth for 24 blessed years. She was a loyal partner who cared for John through sickness and health and was by his side until the end. The most important person in John’s life was his beloved grandson, Andrew. He helped to raise Andrew from the day he was born and just 3 weeks ago, was able to travel to West Virginia University to visit Andrew in his new apartment and visit his college campus. This trip was a fulfillment of a dream for John and he spoke of his days visiting Andrew until the end. He was the proud grandpa to Shadow, the family’s beloved husky, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge before him on August 8th, 2022. It is our belief that Shadow was the first to welcome his Grandpa home.

John was a psychiatric social worker for over 32 years with the New York State Department of Mental Health. Professionally he was a mentor to social work students. He worked as a supervisor at both Mercy and Dominican College. He was one of four founding members of the St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, where he related to the youth and connected deeply with the first generation. He was affectionately referred to as “Kumon”. He was often able to sit amongst a group of people and could weave a story like no other. He was a class act. He had unconditional love and devotion to his family, church, patients, students and friends. To be in Kumon’s presence was to feel laughter and joy. He had an infectious sense of humor and was generous to a fault.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Cherian, his daughter Bebe and her husband, Venu Chacko, who was absolutely devoted to his father-in-law. And the love of his life, his grandson Andrew Noah Chacko. He is also survived by his brother, sisters, nieces, nephews and numerous others who were blessed to share a place in his life. While we mourn his passing and the void that his absence will leave, we rejoice and are comforted in the thought that he is resting in peace with his Lord and Savior.