Kantilal Lallubhai Patel

Kantilal Lallubhai Patel, 87, passed away peacefully in his home, December 2, surrounded by his loving family. Kantilal was a loving and devoted husband, father and family patriarch.  His life joy was being Dada (grandpa).

Born in Kampala, Uganda on April 9, 1935, he was the son of the late Lallubhai Govindbhai and Samjuben Patel. He was also preceded in death by three siblings, Shilaben J. Amin, UshabenG. Patel and Nareshbhai L. Patel.

On December 26, 1963, Kantilal married Hansaben Gordhanbhai Patel in Embu, Kenya. She survives him. Also left to cherish his memory are: four children, Gita (John Shaffer) Patel, Rekha (Frank Dombrowski) Patel, Jiten (Mauri) Patel, and Janak “Hodge” Patel; five grandchildren, Devin, Harper, Dylan, Elliott, Quinn; his six siblings, Jagdishbhai L. Patel, Maheshbhai L. Patel, Jasuben V. Amin, Naliniben A. Amin, Madhuben N. Patel, and Sulochanaben T. Patel; and a large, close-knit extended family.

In 1972, Kantilal and his family left his beloved Kampala, Uganda as part of the mass deportation of Asian Indians in Uganda under Idi Amin.  His wife, pregnant with twins, along with their daughters went to England while Kantilal fled to Italy before getting sponsored to the US as a refugee by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).  As a highly motivated entrepreneur, he started several companies, included a natural gas transportation service (Kampala), ABC Printing (Chicago), and later owned and operated the South Bend Motel Corporation, for over 44 years, until his death. He thought of his employees as family. Together, Kantilal and Hansaben sponsored their siblings to establish and pursue the American dream. Kantilal is known for his generous spirit, supporting his community, the Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana and children’s education in his village of Gambhira in Gujurat, India.  He was a devout Hindu, very active at the Hindu Temple, and loved by many.  His generosity of love for his wife, Hansa was manifested in his unwavering commitment to empower her to achieve her life dream to serve The Mother and Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the sister of our heart, Kalavati Giasotta for her unwavering kindness, love and compassion of Kantilal through the years. Kantilal will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 5, with visitation following from 12-1 p.m., at the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, Granger, IN. Enter off Cherry Road. The funeral will also be live-streamed through Zoom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in Kantilal Lallubhai Patel’s name, to the Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana, 19637 Dubois Avenue, South Bend, IN 46637.

McGann Hay is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Funeral for Kantilal Patel
Time: Dec 5, 2022 11:00 AM Indiana (East)

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