Easo Daniel
[November 30, 1929 - July 6, 2024]
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7
Easo Daniel (94) of Stroudsburg, PA, passed away on Saturday, 6 July 2024, at his residence. Born the eldest of six children to the late Mr. Daniel Puthupallil and the late Mrs. Sosamma Daniel, Easo, lovingly called Kunjuchayan by his family and later Daniel Appachan by numerous Sunday School students, lived out his life fruitfully for his Lord and Savior.
Born in Edayaranmula, Kerala, India at the onset of the Great Depression, Easo was determined to overcome innumerable challenges to help raise his siblings. In 1955, after a printing apprenticeship in Chennai, he was recruited to work in East Africa. There he met his wife of 55 years, the late Mrs. Mariamma Daniel and the couple had three children. He worked in Kampala for the country’s largest newspaper The Uganda Argus.
In 1972, Easo led his family away from a bloody civil conflict and eventually settled in the U.S. That was fifty years ago. They made their home in Hillside, NJ while Easo worked in South Plainfield, and then in Trenton for 20 years, as an editor for publications of the Office of Administrative Law for the State of New Jersey before retiring and moving to Stroudsburg.
His passion was for serving God with enthusiasm and it showed in his work with the church. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Mar Thoma Church in the US and a founding member of the New Jersey Chapter. He energetically taught in the Mar Thoma Sunday School helping mold generations of children. He served as the Sunday School Headmaster and its Superintendent for many years. In retirement, he volunteered his time at the Pocono Medical Center/Lehigh Valley Hospital and local nursing homes.
Easo was an eternal optimist, an avid gardener, and loved meeting new people. He loved singing hymns among which his favorites were, “Amazing Grace,” “O Lord my God” and numerous Malayalam hymns, especially ones composed by Sadhu Kochukunju Upadeshi. He was known for responding to comments by friends with appropriate lyrics from hymns. He was also known for his exceptional memory and sharp wit.
Easo Daniel is survived by his three children: son George (April), his grandchildren Samuel and Priyana; daughter Susan (George Kalarikkal), his grandchildren Philip (Sherin), great-grandchildren Lilian and Rayanne; Christina (Gregory McCutchen), James (Kimberlee Letizi), great-grandchildren Layla and Chase; and son John (Usha), grandchildren Sareena, Anisa and Kiran.
He is also survived by his sisters Aleyamma Eapen of Chengannur, India, Mary Thomas of Perth, Australia, Anne Koshy of Dayton, OH, several cousins, nephews, nieces and many relatives.
We are grateful to all our family and friends, the members of the New Jersey Mar Thoma Church, Rev. Mathew Varughese, Sally Kochamma, and all previous vicars who served, for all their love and support. We express our special gratitude to the Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Poulose Episcopa for going out of his way to visit Appachan on his deathbed. We gratefully appreciate the hospice care team at St. Luke’s Hospital Monroe County for providing exceptional care to Appachan under the leadership of his longtime physician and friend, Dr. Douglas Degler. We also extend our thanks to Bensing- Thomas Funeral Home and all those who visited in person and called to extend their love and support.
Details of Wake and funeral service:
Sunday, 14 July 2024
Viewing: 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM at The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph
Click here for Live Video Stream.
Monday, 15 July 2024
Viewing: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM at Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home, 401 North 5th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
Interment Burial : 10.45 AM at Mountainview Mausoleum at the Prospect Cemetery, 501 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
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