A LA DOUCE MÉMOIRE DE Murty Parnandi
It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Suryanarayana Murty Parnandi, an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Murty, or « Tata » as he was affectionately known to many, passed away peacefully at his home in Orleans on May 5th, 2024, at the age of 81. He is predeceased by his parents Lakshminarayana and Ravanamma and siblings Mohan and Krishna. Murty will be fondly remembered by his sisters Jayam and Suseela, and brothers Srinivas and Prasad.
Murty was a loving husband of Leela for 48 years, cherished father to Vandana (Sanjay) and Sridhar (Julia), and incredible Tata (grandfather) to Sahana, Vivek, Cora, and Kiran. Murty was deeply proud of his family and cherished every moment he could spend with them. He was a founding member and pillar of the Telugu community, a source of support, and a dear friend to so many.
Murty was born in Visakhapatnam, India. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Geology before coming to Canada in 1970 to study at the University of Ottawa, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Science. Murty built a rewarding career of 31 years as a climate change scientist in the field of glaciology, retiring in 2011.
There was nothing that Murty loved more than being with family and friends. He had a kind, gentle and very generous heart, always blessing those in need. He was a devout Hindu, finding solace in daily prayers and rituals. Anyone that knows Murty can attest to his witty sense of humour. He was known for always lending a helping hand to anyone in need. From building decks, to finishing basements, to filings taxes for free (accurate to the cent!), and being an extraordinary handyman, his reach was far.
He will be remembered for his warm smile and profound wisdom. His legacy of love and devotion will continue to inspire those who were fortunate to know him. Most importantly, his amazing nachos and caesars will live on!
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Road Orleans, on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 9:30 AM. Hindu Rites to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Food Bank would be appreciated.
You will be forever remembered. Om Shanti
It’s still shocking to know that PSN Murty garu is no more with us! Many memories of dramas, cocktails, parties and unforgettable meetha pans. PSN was a legend among Ottawa Telugu families. We pray that HIS family gets strength to deal with the grief. Please remember that we are always here as an extended family.
To Leela, Vandana, Sridhar and all of Murty’s extended family and friends, we are so sorry for your profound loss. As neighb0rs for 34 years, we will miss Murty’s ever present smile and his friendly warmth and gentle demeanor. We will miss seeing him on his daily walks – regardless of the weather, and working in his garden. We count it an honor and and privilege to have know such a wonderful man.
May you find comfort in all your precious memories and know that you are being held in our hearts and prayers.
Marilyn and Barry
He was one of my favourite uncles. His charm was unique and his laughter contagious.
Will miss him.
We have known Murthy Garu since they came to Ottawa. He is always ready to make parties very joyful with his serving skills by making Ceasars and meetha paan. Rakuma loves them. When kids were younger, he used to have many BBQ parties. Kids loved to eat his hamburgers and hot dogs.
We really miss him.
When I came to Ottawa, my first gift was a doll by Uncle, which is still my doll till date.
Vandana and my bday following on the same day we used to celebrate as a family.
Growing up and moving to new abodes, he blessed my house by performing satyanarayan pooja.
I will miss him for all the things he has done for me and my family.
Our deepest condolences to all family members love suvarna & family. Canton OH
shocking news for us. On 8th April only we met. Most unfortunate and unexpected. He was a legend..very affectionate and loving person. Really irreparable loss to all of us. Especially for me and my wife. We travelled a lot together. very caring and charming person. Spent lot of time together when ever he visited India. Guiding force for all of us. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to you all.
Very sad to learn of Mr. Murty, my heartfelt condolences to Leela garu, Vandana, Sridhar and the rest of the family. He was my mom’s cousin and I only knew him as ‘Tata’ (he shared his grandfather’s name hence ‘tata’ to my mom and all). I will always remember Mr Murty for his help in shaping my career. I was also fortunate to experience his hospitality in ’93.
We have been connected for more than 60 years – from our bachelor’s degree studies in Geology at Andhra University in India TO professional jobs at the Geological Survey of Canada in Ottawa. His social outreach to other families & friends is well-known and amazing!!!!
GOD BLESS HIS SOUL!!!!!!!!!
Murthy Garu you touched our lives in countless ways and left everlasting footprints in our souls. That smile , that helping hand, that hospitality, love for each and everyone will be missed but can never be forgotten. We are thankful for all the good time together and the important role you played in our lives, be it a puja, wedding, housewarmings or Vacations..
I wish we had more time Murthy Garu, your presence we will miss, your memories we will treasure.
In loving memory of Murthy Garu:
The mere realization that Murthy garu is no longer with us feels akin to a wave of nausea in the pit of the stomach. Murthy garu was a cherished friend, whose kindness and warmth touched the lives of all who knew him.
PSN garu had an insatiable curiosity for the world around him, which he shared through his passions for language and science. His love for the Telugu language was evident in every conversation, and his enthusiasm for advancing Telugu transcription was contagious. He possessed an in-depth understanding of every Telugu tool available at that time, along with its respective limitations.
One of Murthy gari most cherished experiences was his time spent in the Canadian North, where he embarked on expeditions to collect ice core samples as a scientist. He would regale us with tales of his adventures, sharing the beauty and challenges of the frozen landscape. His passion for science was infectious, and he often delighted in sharing the stories behind the samples he collected.
PSN gari generosity knew no bounds, and he would often invite friends and guests to his house and taste ice water from discarded lab samples, which contained water millions of years old. These moments were not just scientific experiments but opportunities for Murthy garu to share his love for learning and discovery with those around him. How many individuals can boast of having sampled water that has been preserved for millions of years within ice cores?
Murthy garu generously shared rock samples with our son as part of an initiative aimed at providing students in local schools with hands-on learning opportunities. Recognizing the value of experiential education, he viewed these samples as catalysts for inspiring future generations of geologists and scientists. His altruism transcended the boundaries of his profession, making a profound and enduring impression on young minds like our son’s.
Couple of decades ago, we extended an invitation to Murthy garu and his daughter Vandana to visit our home. The wisdom she imparted during that visit remains etched in my memory to this day. Murthy garu’s willingness to offer assistance was truly admirable.
To omit Murthy gari culinary prowess would render this incomplete. Those who had the pleasure of tasting his Telugu cuisine could attest to his mastery in the kitchen. His home was filled with a delightful array of polla varieties, each a testament to his talent and love for cooking.
Though Murthy may no longer be with us in person, his spirit lives on in the memories he created and the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Message of Condolences
From: Subhas Tella (with Lalitha, Srikanth, Prasanth), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
We are sorry to hear the sudden passing of Suryanarayana Murty Parnandi garu. We extend our sincere condolences to Leela garu, Vandana, Sridhar and to all extended family members for their loss. We all lost a great, most sincere, understanding, and helpful member of our Telugu community. May his soul Rest in Peace. Although Murthy garu is no longer with us, his Legacy and Memories will always be remembered and cherished for through rest of our lives.
Murty was a good colleague and field companion. His introduction to the high Arctic was a shock to him. He and I were dropped off at the top of the Agassiz ice cap, just us two in early April. It was -30C and nothing to be seen in any direction but whiteness and our little pile of food, a tent and some camping gear plus a radio . Our job was to be the forward party for the rest of the flights and people but those first hours it was just us two. Murty looked around in each direction proclaiming « Oh my God ». But he rallied quickly and by the following day he was getting right into the camp routine and taking his turns at being the cook. Of course he prepared Indian, which was a big treat as he was a fine cook and liked it.
Murty took pride in helping us drill ice cores and developing the climate history of the High Arctic over many thousands of years.
Murty would invite us (Fritz, Jocelyne, Chris, Lief John and I) all out to his home in Orleans where he and Leela fed us well and we retold the stories of our High Arctic adventures and played with his, then, very young kids.
So farewell old colleague, field companion and friend.
Uncle, words are not enough. I will miss your warm smile, the jokes you always greeted me with, and your plate full of the best meeta paan I have ever had. Thank you, Uncle, for being instrumental in building a community that has given us a lifetime of deep friendships and cherished memories. Thank you for ingraining in us the importance of culture and spirituality. Thank you for being there and sharing your wisdom with a scared kid all of those years ago- I will never forget. You will forever live on. With love.
In loving memory of Pedananna, a beacon of wisdom whose life was a tapestry of rich experiences and profound insights. His legacy of knowledge and laughter will forever echo in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear Pedananna, your wisdom and humor will be cherished eternally.
In loving memory of Pedananna, a beacon of wisdom whose life was a tapestry of rich experiences and profound insights. His legacy of knowledge and laughter will forever echo in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear Pedananna, your wisdom and humor will be cherished eternally
Our heartfelt condolences to Leela aunty, Vandana, Sridhar and rest of the family. It has been our honour and great pleasure to have had Murthy uncle for long in our lives. Uncle always had the charm, the. wit and the joie de vivre to light up the room on any occasion, captivating us with interesting conversations. We are shocked to hear of this sudden & tragic loss but we will all cherish the wonderful memories he has given us.
Our prayers are with the family. May his soul rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to Leela garu, Vandana family and Sridhar family. A person of great wisdom. Great wit and humour. A great loss to the Telugu community. We will miss him.
Hi Leela aunty and family. I was so lucky to meet Murthy uncle 27 years back and since then Vijay and I had a respect and love for him. I am glad I got to meet him just 2 weeks back when I visited Canada. His smile was so infectious that it made us love him. He has touched so many lives .we are lucky we met him in our journey. We are truly sorry for your loss and we pray his soul rests in peace ♥️
I have fond memories of Uncle dating back to 1978 (when we first moved to Ottawa).
Uncle lived an extraordinary life, and left a meaningful impact on so many people.
Om Shanti.
Dear Leela aunty, Vandana, Sridhar, and family ,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Murty Uncle. He was truly an exceptional individual, serving as an amazing father, a loving husband, and a devoted grandfather. His guidance as a mentor and his warmth as a friend touched the lives of many. As a climate change scientist his contributions were significant, and ahead of his time, shaping the world with his knowledge and expertise. But beyond his professional achievements, he was known for his kind soul, tremendous wisdom, and the respect he earned from his community.
His memory extends far beyond his roles, reaching into the depths of thought-provoking conversations and philosophical discussions, where his insights illuminated paths of understanding. And let’s not forget his wonderful sense of humor, which brought joy and lightness to those around him.
May his memory be a source of comfort and strength during this challenging time, and may his legacy of love and wisdom continue to live on in our hearts.
With heartfelt condolences.
May God give strength and solace to Leela garu, Vandana (Sanjay) and Sridhar (Julia) during this hour. May the precious memories of Murthy garu bring comfort to you and your family during this difficult time. All my fond memories of Murthy garu will forever be cherished. He was always smiling and very accommodative to feelings of others in discussions. Sending our sympathies to you and your family members as we remember the amazing person you have lost. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vwYmPC1prBbJT3LM9
Very very sad to know that he is no more. I remember the days that we use to practice for our dramas. Murthy Garu was a very lively and loving person. God takes good care of good people and take them without much suffering. He is one of them. My deepest condolences to Leela, Vandana and Sridhar and their families.
Girija Donepudi
My condolences to Aunty, Vandana, Sridhar and their families. While it has been a long time since I had the pleasure of spending time with Uncle, I do fondly remember our interactions and conversations at our many family gatherings. His vibrant personality and loving nature provided wonderful memories, as everyone has mentioned. He will be missed but not forgotten.
We were shocked to hear the news about uncle. I have known him my entire life. He was one of the pillars of the Telegu community growing up in Ottawa in the 70’s and 80’s and I will always remember his infectious smile, his passion for good food and someone who can eat the hottest chilies without breaking a sweat!
My condolences to auntie, Vandana, Sridhar and his entire family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Wishing your family peace and strength in this time of sorrow.
-Saikiran Gayathri
My farewell message and poem to you dear PSN Murty.
Very sad to hear the passing news of Murthy garu.
Our families with kids bonded together and we used to meet often when kids were growing up.
Your simple talk in giving guidance to kids is greatly appreciated at every level.
We had the opportunity to host you couple of times at our place and similarly you hosted us as well.
Our deepest condolences to Leela garu, Vandana and Sridhar.
May God give you all the strength to face this difficult situation.
Vijaya & Mohan Rao – Montreal
Our deepest condolences to Leela garu, Vandana, Sridhar and family for your profound loss. We will always remember Murthy garu’s bigger than life personality and his warmth. We will always cherish our memories in Ottawa especially the reception we received the first time we came to his home as newlyweds. ❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽
Dear P.S.N Murty Uncle,
We were all saddened by the news of your passing and our heart goes out to Leela Aunty, Vandana/Sanjay, Sridhar/Julia, Sahana, Vivek, Cora, and Kiran who all love you so much and are so proud of you just as you were of them. Though you have had such a rich fulfilling life we wish we could have enjoyed your presence for a lot longer. When I think of you I am taken back to your dynamic spirit and infectious unforgettable laughter and your passion for Telugu language and culture and the conviction that it was important for future generations to carry this forward. As an important part of building the Telugu community in Ottawa starting in the late 1970’s and 1980’s you ensured that so many of us had a strong and vibrant community in which to grow up in and in which to develop a sense of pride and appreciation of our roots. I will never forget your adventurous spirit and the slideshows you used to show us of your adventures in the North. I smile when I remember the Telugu drama practices as a child, all of your fun dinner parties, and all the Telugu picnics we would have fun at. Uncle, I will miss your readiness to always make a joke and seize the fun in life. As I saw you in more recent years, I was heartened to see you enjoying the happiness of a life well lived with the joy of so many of your loved ones around you. You will be missed by us all but we will be comforted by cherishing the memories you have given us.
Love and Condolences,
Prabhath and family
very much remembered. His brother hood is known to me and always feel his presence in my thoughts.. May soul rest in peace.
Very sad to hear the news about PSN Murthy Garu. Our deepest condolences to Leela Aunty, Vandana, Sridhar and their families. Although it has been a few years since we had spent time with PSN Murthy Garu, we do fondly remember those interactions and conversations while in Ottawa at several OTA/ACA events. His smile, personality and loving nature provided wonderful memories. Although Murthy Garu is no longer with us, his Legacy and Memories will always be remembered and cherished. May his soul rest in peace.