~ A Life Defined by Love: Ramesh Kumar Gajri, My Beloved Papa. ~ 

Ramesh Kumar Gajri, my beloved "Papa" and "Podgy"—an amazing, humble, generous, and visionary man—passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, in London, England, at the age of 76, surrounded by his loved ones.

Born on September 6, 1949, in Miwani, Kenya, to the late Shiv Sharan Das and late Maya Wanti Gajri, Papa built a life marked by quiet strength and profound purpose.

💖 A Legacy of Dedication and Strength

Papa was highly responsible and one of the main caretakers for his family from a young age. At 15, he reluctantly moved with them from Kenya to India, where he had to overcome much adversity, including learning Punjabi to excel in his final exams, helping my Dada-ji (Grandfather) with domestic duties and the family business before and after school.

Driven by ambition, at 20, he chose to foregoe a sponsored MBA in Delhi against my Dada-ji's preferences for him to stay in India,  and instead, chose to pursue an ACCA sponsorship in the UK. Papa moved alone to Leeds and successfully completed his studies, I remember him telling me, that he had just enough pennies to call my Dadi-Maa (Grandmother) from the distant public phonebox, to make a 30 second call to say that he had "qualified".

His professional life began as an Auditor at Peat Marwick Mitchell (now KPMG) and then at Haines Watt. He wanted a change from Corporate to Industry and so then dedicated the best part of his last 40 years to date to the family-owned construction company, HS-Dev Ltd. in Slough. Here, he worked closely with two generations of the Dev family, including Uncles Mukhtiar and Avtar, driving the business forward and fostering a professional relationship that blossomed into a cherished kinship with the whole Dev family.

Alongside this, my Papa’s life's work provided for his family and uplifted countless others. He carried his success with genuine humility and a fierce hard-working spirit.

✨ Hallmarks of an Extraordinary Man

Not restricted by custom, nor practice, Papa’s hallmarks were his boundless love for me and time for others, entrepreneurial spirit, worldly knowledge & outlook, honesty, a cheeky sense of humour, his love for wine, whisky and cigars, joy in teasing Maa and a passion for travel. His extreme compassion and generosity, paired with his progressive thought and vision, allowed him to transcend traditional expectations and continue his own father's pioneering legacy of female empowerment. He often stood his ground with many of us, eventually, we conceded, as we knew deep-down, that he would ultimately be right, or at times, perhaps, just for an easier life?

Never seeking recognition, Papa quietly supported countless people and causes including animal charities.

Notably, he co-founded a business with his brothers, my Jiwan Thaya-ji and Naresh Chacha-ji and for many years, he co-sponsored with my Uncles the education of impoverished students at his former school and at a peer girls' school in Punjab. My brothers, Sumeet, Aman and I, hope to do our fathers proud in taking on their business and furthering their charitable endeavours.

👨‍👩‍👧 A Devoted Family Man

Additionally, my Podgy was a devoted family man, sharing 48 wonderful years with his beloved and dutiful wife, my beautiful Maa, Neelam. Til he took his last breath, he was an incredibly dedicated father, mentor, best friend, and role model to me. He taught the value of integrity, kindness, ambition, eternal learning, strength, and perseverance. With similar dedication, he mentored many; including his brothers, nephews, son-in-law Maurice, Mukhtiar uncle, and to name but a few.

My papa was unique and quirky, Maa always says how much I am just like him, though usually about his annoying points and when angry at either me, us or both!!

Truly spoiled by him, life was so much more sweeter, with him by my side. I've lost my love, my friend, my guiding light.

Our little family, alongside many others, shared so much joy and adventure with him —from passionate debates over good food and wine, to winding-my-mother-up, exploring The Arts and embarking on lengthy global travel expeditions. I am grateful for the standout memories in the past 3 years where I saw a childlike joy in him. Despite his usual reluctance to go and annoyance with me to push him to go, I witnessed his thorough enjoyment of Elton John's iconic concert which we attended in Glasgow for his 70th Birthday, not known for his dancing talent, he even bopped away to the music gleefully.

Thereafter, there were the travel adventures; on a trip to Miaimi with Chacha and Chachi, I lived his excitement at seeing a Nasa Rocket Launch in sunny Florida which Sumeet and Dawn kindly fulfilled his ambition to see. With the help of Maurice, I was able to take him back to his roots 58 years later to tour Kenya, luckily we were able to enhance our enjoyment by sharing the travels with Suresh and Manohri Uncles ("Bhaiyas", oops!) and their families. Then, one year later, for his last adventure, he became an intrepid explorer on a 10 day road-trip with us in gorgeous Jordan. Despite his recent worsening ill-health, we continued our love for good food and drink often filling him with gobhi paratas and recently, at a Food Festival, I thought it be fun to introduce him to vodka jelly shots and oysters. Just like always, he embraced it well! 

🙏 Celebrating His Life

We invite friends and loved ones to a funeral service to celebrate Papa's well-lived and well-loved life. He leaves a deep legacy, which my Maa, his son-in-law/son/friend Maurice, myself, and the entire Gajri family are committed to honoring.

Webcast is available if you wish to attend us virtually

Website: https://watch.obitus.com
Username: Zemu7043
Password: 832723

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to Ashoka School(s) in Papa’s honor, continuing his legacy of generosity and uplifting lives: 

Changing Lives: Ashoka Boys' & Girls' School, Punjab, India.

Alas, as his final goobye approaches, I could not be prouder of the man that my Papa was. Whilst he physicality moves on, his blessings and extraordinary love will forever be etched in our hearts, I'm sure.

As my Papa transcends to find eternal peace, I remain a devoted and loving daughter, who now takes the baton to protect my precious Mother and to honour his name.
 
Om Shanti.

Priya.