Obituary of Bhaktharaj Chelliah

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Bhaktharaj P. Chelliah announces his passing after a sudden illness, on Friday, December 15, 2017, at the age of 72 at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Bhakthan is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Padmini, and his three daughters, Sushila (Warren), Anjali (Sameer), and Premala (Jeramy). He will be fondly remembered by his three grandsons, Bryce, Naveen, and Deven. He will also be forever remembered by his siblings, Huldah Saroja, Debora Premala, and Noah Nirmalraj, as well as numerous extended family members, friends, and colleagues. Born in India, Bhakthan moved to the United States in 1976, originally living in New York where he completed his post graduate medical training. As his family grew, he eventually settled in New Jersey where he was an esteemed and beloved physician at Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. During his 32 years there, he took care of thousands of critically ill premature babies until his retirement in 2013. Funeral service and celebration of Bhakthan's life will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 11:00am at Lake Nelson SDA Church, 561 South Randolphville Road, Piscataway, New Jersey. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 20, 2017 before the service at the church from 9:30 - 11:00am. Interment will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 95 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. For further information, or to light an online condolence candle please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in memory of Bhakthan to the March of Dimes at https://www.marchofdimes.org.