Mannil K. Thomas

M.K. Thomas, lovingly called, Thankachen, was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1938, to Late Mr. Mannil Kochukunju & Mrs. Mariamma Mathew. Born to a family of seven children, he was the sixth and is survived by one sister. After graduating high school from CMS High School Kuzhikala, Kerala, he obtained a degree in Civil Engineering, after which he started his career at MMTC, a Govt of India undertaking in Bihar, and was transferred to their HQ in New Delhi, where he met his future wife Aleyamma Thomas (Kunjamma) and got married in 1963. They were blessed with three children Matthew Thomas, Varghese Thomas, and Beena Thomas. In 1973, Thankachen came to the US and joined Kunjamma, who had arrived the year before. The family was whole and complete a year later, in 1974, with the arrival of their young children from India, and they settled in Manhattan, NY. He was the family's patriarch who helped other family members settle in the NY area over the years. As a pioneer immigrant to the United States, Thankachen joined the Malayalee Christian Fellowship of New York and actively participated in the Mar Thoma/CSI Congregation of Manhattan. As the years rolled, Thankachen took leadership roles and was instrumental in forming the Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater NY in 1980, which eventually split into three Parishes, one of which became the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of NY, where Thankachen retained his membership as a founding member of the parish. Thankachen was dedicated and had an unwavering loyalty to the Mar Thoma Church. He actively participated in all Church activities by taking up various positions in the Executive Committees of all the parishes he was associated with. Thankachen maintained a very cordial relationship with all the Bishops and Clergy who respected his views and opinions on administrative matters of the Church. M.K. Thomas was also one of the pioneers and architects who sowed the seeds to form the Mar Thoma Diocese and Parishes in the United States of America. He held various positions at the Diocesan, regional, and parish levels. He was the Diocesan Treasurer of the Diocese of North America, Europe, and Canada of the Mar Thoma Church from 1989-1993. He was instrumental in purchasing the first Diocesan center in Philadelphia. After moving to Teaneck, NJ, in 1979, Thankachen collaborated with other Mar Thomites in the area and took a lead role in establishing St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, Teaneck, NJ, in 1988 as a founding member. Mr. Thomas’ passion & vision for a bigger & better facility for future generations did not stop even in his eighties. He wholeheartedly supported, funded, and vigorously lobbied for the ‘New Church Project’ of St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church. Thanks to Mr. Thomas, St. Peter’s has been relocated to a larger facility. Thankachen found joy in raising his children, and their house was always open for family, guests, and visitors. Thankachen was very social and connected with people personally. His memory of the birthdays of friends and family is remarkable. Mr. Thomas is survived by his loving and devoted wife of sixty years, Aleyamma Thomas; their loving children, Matthew, Varghese & Diane, Beena & Pinto; and the only granddaughter Lauren (daughter of Varghese and Diane). Thankachen had an extraordinary bond with Lauren, he always treasured seeing her, which put the biggest smile on his face, and she got to experience the love he readily shared with everyone he touched. Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 4:30-8PM and Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 9-10:30AM at St. Peter's Mar Thoma Church, Township of Washington. A service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:30AM at the church. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. To view the livestream of the viewing and/or service or to visit Mr. Thomas' tribute page, please visit www.volkleber.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of M.K. Thomas to St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, 56 Ridgewood Rd, Township of Washington, NJ 07676.

Mannil K. Thomas

June 18, 2023