My mind gets filled up with so many sweet memories of Sureshbhai, as I shared some of them here.

A gem of a human being, Sureshbhai was a genuine, loving, caring, wonderful noble soul, who was always there for you, when needed, with a smiling face.

He was there for me to witness almost every important milestone in my life...as my elder brother...as my friendly guide and philosopher. Blessed with a very kind and helpful nature, he advised me take up architecture in 1968; helped me with the process of getting admission to Master's program at U of I, Champaign as well as getting set up there, just as both he and Renu did again for Rutvan in 2012 in Philadelphia at U Penn, and once again for Ananya in 2014 in Lafayette at Purdue University...!!

He helped with getting an interview with SOM, Chicago, which boosted my career tremendously.

Sureshbhai, my best ever Teacher:

On my very first day in USA, he explained to me why this place remains very clean and peaceful. He not only taught me how to drive in US "correctly" as per the book, but also gave me his car !! He was as stickler for punctuality and following rules. I also learnt from him how to walk in downtown Chicago quickly thru short cuts and comfortably in tough cold weather by walking thru buildings, wherever he knew was possible ! All these " little " tips used to amuse me in the beginning, but I soon realized their due importance from the way he would teach.

Creating the Magic of making the other " trustworthy " !

As far back as in 1968, he trusted me, a 15-year old kid then, with taking care of his expensive big red Impala car, which he had imported to India, while he left India to work in USA. He has always placed full faith in me since then, with small and not-so-small things.

He let me handle organizing of the first ever big music show by a famous Indian star singer in US, Mr. Mohammad Rafi, in 1977. Watching Renu and Sureshbhai deliver graciously the opening speech to a 4,000 plus audience at Uptown Theater had brought tears of satisfaction and happiness in my eyes.

His Helpful Nature:

Their home was always a home for me and my family, where I stayed for more than 3 years with wonderful memories. I saw him help out many newcomers to USA during their initial period, a tradition that he continued from Madison, Wisconsin days.

Enjoying Life:

We did many things together....made and enjoyed delicious tea in the early mornings; cleaned out snow and even ice; enjoyed the rides in the train to downtown and back....for years. I was playing catch up, even with my long strides, as he used to walk very fast. We played racquetball, watched football games, the nitty gritty of which he taught me in great detail and with much enthusiasm, as was his nature. Relishing food from all over the world was a passion with him. Some of my fondest memories are of our enjoying the Ravinia Festivals Shows year after year.

Sureshbhai, the avid traveller:

He drove all the way to Florida via Smokey Mountains in 1976 with my mother and father, with whom he enjoyed a wonderful relationship. Later on in life, I was fortunate in having his company during quite a few trips together, each one etching out pleasant memories in my heart. 

He would invariably take every guest, especially visiting from India, to his alma mater, University of Wisconsin, and also to The Baha'i Temple in Chicago, a philosophy that he deeply believed in and respected a lot.

Our fun travels include the one with family to Las Vegas; a cruise trip to Greek Islands;  to Austria and Switzerland. Our walks at dawn time on the topmost deck of the ship shall remain an unforgettable experience.

Everywhere we went, he would join in enthusiastically and cheerfully, like the young-at-heart man that he has always been !! During his trip to India in2013, we managed to visit all his ancestral places, where his roots were...Bhavnagar, Palitana, Rajkot....meeting his old school and college mates, sharing with us the memories of the places, where he was born and lived during his early years. I am really thankful to the Almighty for having made this possible, as it meant so much to him.

And finally, in his last trip to India in 2014 to attend Rutvan & Eshita's marriage, he became an integral part of every function....at Rohtak, Bhopal, Bombay and Surat, with full involvement, even under adverse weather and travel issues. Presence of Apoor, Lisa, Dara and Drew added tremendously to his joy, as it allowed him to caringly look after them. He put on head gears and dresses to suit every function, danced at every opportunity...By the way, he was a very stylish dancer of garba and raas. He mingled with all the family members and guests freely, who remember him as a very fine gentleman.

Basically a " People's Person ", he loved to live life to the hilt. In 2015, even with my fractured foot, he took me to watch a Bears game in Chicago, and also walked all the way with me in a fundraiser marathon in Elmhurst !!

A gentle soul with a lot of compassion in his heart, Sureshbhai deserves the very best, and I am sure that he is on his way in his final journey to a very calm and peaceful resting place.

Ohm Shanti.....Shanti....Shanti....

Bharat Sheth

I met Sureshkaka in 1977, when he visited me in Cambridge MA during one of his work related trips.  He took the time to tour the campus with me and was basically thrilled to see another Gami in the US.  We spent many hours discussing whereabouts of various family members in the US as well as in India.  His eyes lit up when I told him how proud everyone was about his accomplishments and especially the news about his parents.  I had the good fortune to get to know his parents – Shantilaldada and Maniba - while I lived in Ahmedabad.      

Soon after completing my graduate studies, I visited him in Chicago and met the rest of the family.  When Abhi and Apoor found out that my name was Bharat, they were a bit amused and said, “How nice!  We know this name very well.”  They were referring to their mama - Bharat Sheth - who was living with them at the time.  During the next four years, I lived in Iowa and became a visiting member of the family.  I joined them from time to time to enjoy great company, laughter and musical performances by Renukaki. 

Sureshkaka has been a constant source of inspiration, wise counsel and friendship over the years.  He was truly an anchor of the family and will always be recognized as the first immigrant from Gami family to settle in the United States. 

In the words of Bhagvada Gita, “Bījaṁ māṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ viddhi pārtha sanātanam.”  [BG. 7.10]  In describing the presence of God in everything and every living being, Krishna says that, “I am the seed – bijam - in every living being.  While the body changes constantly, this seed or soul remains – sanatanam - eternal.”  I salute this eternal soul and pray that it continues to shine the light of wisdom and good fortune upon all of us. 

Suresh was a good guy.  These comments are illustrative of what we all know, and more.  He was kind, generous, an equal opportunity person-- someone that looked at the inside and not the title, skin color, or sex.  

I want to share my relationship/view.  He was funny.  He would laugh at me, himself, and anything else that struck him as funny.  He was not afraid of risks.  He joined Ava and I on ski trip when he was 70 and decided on the spot he wanted to learn to ski.  It didn't go well.  The Rockies at 70 were too much.  But he tried and he was honest.  He gave it a go.  How many people would even try?  How many do you know that would say "no" instead of “why not?"

He was feisty. We debated everything from politics (well that is sort of a lie, we agreed), to sports (I was always right, baseball is stupid), to where he was going to live when he “got old.”  That escalated.  I recall it vividly and have laughed with Abhi about it several times since.  Suresh was visiting us in NJ and told me he was going to live with us when he got old.  I said that would never happen.  He ignored me and said he was planning on it.  I told him I am not Indian and I am definitely not housing anyone.  We were nearly shouting.  Back and forth.  I stomped off to the kitchen where Abhi was just giggling and brought us some beers.  We were fine.  No hard feelings, no ruffled feathers.  Just a beer.  We would bait Renu and she would take it.  Arguing about moving downtown or anything else Suresh had cooked up.  He would bait me.  Fun!  I would bait him.  I actually went to an Angels game and bought a t-shirt while he and Abhi went to a Cubs game.  I met up with them later with my new shirt on…! 

We talked a lot.  We spent hours chatting and drinking a beer or wine.  I heard so many stories and learned many secrets.  The secrets were great.  We would laugh.  I wish he was still here.  It was nice to speak with him.  It was great to seem him play with Ava or one of our rotties.  Or find a new sushi restaurant to try.

I would say Rest In Peace, but he would know that is not authentic; too saccharine for our banter.  So I say ‘rock it like you mean it, skinny dip in heaven or come back as an Olympic skier.’ 

So living in Tampa, of course we are Lightning hockey fans who had the "pleasure" of losing to the Blackhawks in the 2015 Stanley Cup. As it was still a recent wound for us when Sureshmasa and Renumasi visited Florida this past April in the midst of this year's hockey playoffs, we talked at length about the Stanley Cup. As is Sureshmasa's character, he first congratulated how well the Lightning played and spoke highly about the young team, before we even talked about the Blackhawks. From that, however, I heard so much pride -- however humbly said -- from Sureshmasa about how he enjoyed sports with Abhi and Apoor growing up, and now how the grand kids are taking after their dads! In fact, masa so vividly recalled Drew playing hockey in front of 20,000 fans during a Blackhawks intermission, how Drew was not fazed at all, and how good he played. And that Drew has played twice on the big ice! Masa then went on to compliment me - though totally unnecessary -- and all of us who take quality time to spend with our kids because, as he said, they grow up so quickly. Those memories shared by Sureshmasa - both older and more recent - helped cement in me how important it is for us to focus on what's important, and ignore the rest. :-) And in no matter what situation I witnessed Sureshmasa -- around different people, personalities and scenarios - that is exactly how he lived. Enjoy the hockey rink up in the sky Sureshmasa! Our love and affection, Nikhil, Adeeti, Arjun and Neelam.  

Suresh Shantilal Gami passed away in Chicago on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at the age of 78.

Suresh is lovingly remembered by his wife Renuka, married 47 years ago in Surat, India; sons Abhishek and Apoor; grandchildren Sundara, Ava, and Drew; brother Rameshbhai Gami; and sister Virbalaben Shah. He is preceded in death by his father, Shantilal Narandas Gami; mother, Maniben Shantilal Gami; brothers Balkishan Gami and Vinodray Gami; and sister Ranjanben Shah.

Suresh was born in Palitana, India, on July 8, 1938. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Vallabh Vidyanagar University in 1960, and his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin in 1965.

Suresh worked as a civil engineer for Desman Associates and its predecessor companies in Chicago, Illinois for 42 years before retiring in 2012. In the years since then Suresh enjoyed many of his favorite things, including charity, fitness, travel, sports, and family.

Suresh will always be remembered for his generosity, limitless energy, ever-present good nature, and love for life. Nothing brought a twinkle to his eye and smile to his lips more than seeing his friends and family. A diehard Chicago sports fan, Suresh enjoyed a Bears Super Bowl win, the Bulls 6-peat, three Blackhawks Stanley Cups, postseason excitement with the Cubs last year, and we are all sure he will be cheering from high above the bleachers when the Cubs win the World Series.

A private celebration of Suresh’s life will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Suresh’s memory to the American Heart Association.