Rohan Gerard Selvaratnam

Rohan “Gerry” Selvaratnam passed away peacefully on July 27 at the age of 66. He was a devoted son, cherished brother, proud uncle, and loyal friend whose presence brought immense joy and laughter to everyone around him.

He was born on April 26, 1960 in Colombo, Sri Lanka and grew up in a large but loving and close-knit family, surrounded by the company of his siblings, parents, and many friends and cousins in and around the Selvaratnam family house on Kuruppu Road. Those who knew him as a boy remember him fondly as a mischievous prankster with a charming sense of humor who always carried himself in a remarkably prim and proper manner.

He attended the esteemed St. Joseph’s College in Colombo, where he was a diligent young pupil who also trained in traditional Tamil dance. In 1976, at the young age of 16, driven by his ambition and desire to build a bright future, he moved to the United Kingdom where he laid the foundations for his future. In 1978, he was then given the opportunity to continue his studies in the US and he seized that opportunity with open arms. With this, he pursued studies in Finance both at St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York and American University. Little did he know that Washington DC would become his home, where he built not only a successful career but also a rich, fulfilling life filled with friendships, faith, and purpose.

Rohan’s dedication, intelligence, and strong work ethic led him to a long and respected career with the World Bank, where he served as an Operations Analyst in various sectors from 1990 until his passing. At the time of his death, he was an Agriculture Operations Analyst on developmental assignment in the West and Central Africa regions. His work took him to all corners of the globe, and throughout his career he remained committed to serving with professionalism, integrity, and unwavering dedication. He took enormous pride in his work and the relationships he built over the years. To many of his colleagues, Rohan was not only an exceptional professional and reliable teammate, but also a true and trusted friend whose support, wisdom, and good humor enriched their lives.

Outside of work, Rohan was a man of deep faith and a devoted member of the Catholic Church. He never sought recognition for the many ways he helped others, nor did he speak openly of his acts of service. Instead, he quietly lived his faith through countless acts of kindness, compassion, generosity, and care. His unwavering belief in God guided his life and shone through in the way he treated everyone he encountered, always with dignity, respect, and genuine warmth. He also enjoyed staying active, often heading to the gym or cycling around DC with his trusty bike.

Perhaps above all, Rohan will be remembered for his extraordinary sense of humor. He had a rare gift for making people laugh and could light up any room with a joke, a witty remark, or his unforgettable laughter. His vibrant personality, joyful spirit, and ability to bring smiles to those around him made every gathering brighter. The laughter and happiness he shared so freely with others, as well as his humble and generous way of being, will remain treasured memories in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

To his family, he was “Uncle Gerry”, “Gerry Mama” or simply “Gerry”, and he was a beloved brother and a caring uncle who loved his family deeply. In joining his parents Elsie and Joseph Selvaratnam and his brother Jude Selvaratnam in eternal rest, he leaves behind his older sister Marie and brother-in-law Gregory Sathanathan, his older brother Joseph and sister-in-law Rasheeda Selvaratnam, his younger brother Timothy and sister-in-law Sue Selvaratnam, and his younger sister Antoinette and brother-in-law Soma Shanker; his nieces Ria, Selina, and Anita and nephews Manoj, Arunan, Preveen, Sacha, Luke, and Ryan; his grandnieces Alicia, Velina, Abby, Norah, and Kaia and his grandnephews Jason and Benjamin, as well as countless relatives, colleagues, and friends who will forever treasure the time they had with him.

Though Gerry is no longer with us, his love, wisdom, faith, and joyful spirit live on in those that remember him. The values he lived by, the kindness he showed, and the laughter he brought into the world will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. Additionally, in his final act of generosity even on his deathbed, he was able to grant four strangers the gift of life through the donation of his organs. His memory will live on in the stories we tell, the lessons he taught us, and the love he gave so freely throughout his life, as well as in the lives that will continue to be well-lived by his organ recipients.

The family will receive friends at Joseph Gawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20016 on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider instead donating to the American Heart Association in Rohan’s memory.