Kanayalal Rajwani

Kanayalal "Lalu" Rajwani, known as "Kan" to many of his friends and colleagues, was born in 1944 in Sindh, British India, to Lachmi and Shamdas Rajwani. He grew up surrounded by a large family, with nine brothers and sisters and five older half-siblings. He spent his early years in Sindh, Madras, and Pune before beginning a life that would eventually take him across continents.

As a young man, Lalu was fearless in his pursuit of a better life for himself and, eventually, his family. Work first took him from Pune to Liberia, where he worked in retail. He returned to India and married his wife, Rakhi, in Pune on April 8, 1975, and continued traveling between India and Liberia for work during the early years of their marriage.

In 1980, Lalu set out for the United States, once again in search of greater opportunity for his family. On Labor Day weekend in 1981, Rakhi and their children joined him in New York. The family made their first American home in Queens, NY before eventually settling in Jersey City. Lalu worked as a shipping clerk throughout his career in the United States, including 15 years with India Garments. He was a steady and devoted provider who took tremendous pride in the life his family built together.

To his children, however, some of the best memories of their father came from the most ordinary moments. His children were his constant sidekicks, accompanying him everywhere from the bank to the market and somehow finding even the most routine errands fun simply because they were with their dad. On Sundays, he would walk out to get a fresh copy of the Star-Ledger and settle in to read it with his children. He followed the news closely throughout his life and rarely missed his daily walk.

Lalu had exceptional mathematical ability and a remarkably sharp memory, he simply did not forget things. As the family's designated homework helper, there was little he couldn't tackle. He even happily tried his hand at arts and crafts projects and often seemed to enjoy the assignments more than his children did.

He also delighted in creating experiences for his family. He organized family vacations, including trips back to India and visits to places like Disney World and Hersheypark, happiest when an adventure brought a smile to his children's faces. He enjoyed celebrating Diwali, playing the lottery-with his level of interest appropriately calibrated to the size of the jackpot-and keeping up with the world around him.

A practicing Hindu, Lalu's faith remained an important and quiet constant in his life. He prayed daily at home and enjoyed visiting the temple to offer his prayers.

The arrival of his granddaughter, Camila, gave Lalu-now "Dada"-a new sidekick. When Camila came to visit, he was often the first person down on the floor to play with her. He learned the names of the Disney princesses with the same diligence he once brought to homework assignments and happily joined her games of hide-and-seek. Whatever interested Camila interested Dada, too.

Above all, Lalu's world centered on his family. He took pride in every accomplishment of those he loved, whether large or small, and spent his life working to give his family opportunities, experiences, and a future filled with possibility.

He is survived by his wife, Rakhi Rajwani; his daughter, Jaya Rajwani; his son, Kapil Rajwani, and daughter-in-law, Lourdes Sanso; and his beloved granddaughter, Camila Devi Rajwani. He also leaves behind countless siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who loved him.

From Sindh to Pune, from Liberia to New York and ultimately Jersey City, Lalu built his life by moving forward-fearlessly, faithfully, and always with his family in mind. His legacy lives on in the family he worked so hard to provide for, in the traditions and memories they share, and in the countless ordinary moments that became extraordinary simply because he was there.