In loving memory of Leonard Selvaratnam who sadly passed away on 28th July 2022
Details of the funeral are provided below. Please feel welcome to leave a personal tribute:
FUNERAL SERVICE
The funeral service was held on Saturday 13th August at Christ the King RC Church, Wimbledon
The burial was at Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery. Following the funeral, a reception was held at Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon.
Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to a charity of your choice in memory of Leonard. The service was webcast live and details of how to access a recording of the service are shared below.
WATCH A REPLAY OF THE LIVE WEBCAST
You can watch a replay of the funeral service by clicking the button below:
View online version of the Order of Service
TRIBUTES
Our deepest sympathies to the family members who have lost a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. It is very sad for us to lose someone so dear to us. But the Lord has called him to rest in peace. May you find peace in your hearts to let him go to the eternal calling. May the Lord give you the courage and wisdom to carry on living your lives in peace and harmony.
From Patrick Anandappa and family (Prathish’s father in law and family)
Dear Selva you have been a great friend for many years i was so saddened that our Lord called you before me
May all His blessings be upon you and your family you are always in my prayers.
Charles Viva
A great colleague, a true friend, a good man, Len you will be sadly missed. Sincere condolences to Cecilia and family.
Jack Johnson
We met Selva & Rani when they arrived in Middlesborough, but the friendship grew so stronger over the years because of their humility and charisma. Selvas infectious smile and his light hearted jokes always made our meeting a memorable one every time. His son David made a beautiful summary of Selvas life in his eulogy and it was very heartfelt to say good bye to selva today. May God grant him eternal happiness. From God’s Kingdom Selva will be looking down to care for his family and friends. His treasured memories will continue to linger in our hearts. Our deepest condolences to Rani,David, Jennifer and their families.
Joyce & Ferdy
Thinking of you and your family. May the happy memories you shared with your dad, give you some peace and comfort during this difficult time. I have very fond memories of Lenny, having a good catch up at the gym whenever we would bump into each other and seeing him out and about on his daily walks in Marton as I sometimes drove past, beeping my horn, and be greeted with a great big smile from him. Sending our sincere condolences to you and the rest of the family.
Lots of love the Sharif’s
I have known Len only for a brief period in Middlesbrough, Teesside before migrating down south to London. Since it was a short duration I did not have adequate time to interact with Len as much as I wished for.
Later on (mid 80’s) we crossed path again in Kuwait, interestingly enough, working for the same company (Kuwait Oil Company). We were in the same Engineering Department. He was an excellent engineer and very highly regarded by the Kuwaiti management and the expatriate professionals. He nurtured, tutored and provided assistance to all the young Kuwaiti engineers in their endeavors.
Our families got together along with other Sri Lankan and Indian counterparts to celebrate birthdays and other activities during his stay in Kuwait. As we knew Len all the way from UK we got together more often and had a fantastic and enjoyable time.
Len was an ardent and prolific squash player playing at the Hubara Club (recreational facilities still run by Kuwait Oil Company with a subsidized restaurant). We watched him play and beat the heck out of his friends (Needless to say we were there only for the subsidised meals at the restaurant and of course watch him play too!!).
We are extremely saddened and disheartened by Len’s sudden departure from all of us. This is an unexpected and tremendous blow for all of us and the almighty will ensure and guide his family through a life without Len. As for Len, he will find love, peace and tranquillity at the abode of almighty above and all our prayers are with him.
RIP in HEAVEN our dearest Len..
Sangarapillai Sivapathasundaram
May God strengthen you and your family! Pls accept our
Sincere Condolences.
Navasakthy Yigendran
Selva
You have touched so many hearts all along your journey in this world and gone to a better world. We all will miss you dearly.
I am grateful for our time together and always cherish all the laughter joy we shared.
Babu – Bradford
Dearest Selva
Thank you for the wonderful memories. You will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace my friend.
Our thoughts are with the family.
Jeyarajan and family
I am deeply shocked and disheartening to know that my best friend Savundta died on 28th July 2022.
It is not only an irreparable loss to his entire family members but also to those who acquaint with Selva quite a long period of time.
I pray to God to grant him peace and rest.
Let the perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul rest in peace in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ forever.
The family members in deep sorrow and intense grief,
Navarajah & family.(Canada)
Navarajah Emmanuel
Dear Rani & children,
Our deepest & sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. May God give you all the strength you need. Sending love & hugs.
Uma , Vijay & family xxxx
You have gone too soon
Len
You have gone too soon
All that remains are the memories that we made
We met in the oilfields of Kuwait in the 80’s whilst we sort our fortunes
We dabbled in penny shares and privatisation shares
But as we only had copies of the Finanicial Times that were at least a few days old
We were more likely to make it on Sesame Street rather than Wall Street.
We used to play squash but although I huffed and puffed I couldn’t outfox you with your dinky badminton style shots
The defeats were made easier with your infectious smile and laugh.
In recent years as we chatted about our current plans
You told me about your successes with crypto trading.
It was good to see that your investment fire was still burning.
Now I know that in life the real treasures are the friends that we find and hold on to.
Rest in peace my friend
I will miss you.
Harbans, Gurdial, Jadeen, Jeevan and Joshan
Sincere, Energetic, Loving, Valuable, Authentic
These are qualities I came to observe, admire and even have the opportunity of experiencing first-hand when I had the privilege of meeting Selva Uncle for the first, and very sadly, final time in June this year.
He has no doubt left an imprint in my life (in just over a week at that!) just as he has the many others he has come in contact with.
No photos together but here’s one with our son, Ezekiel, to represent our family. Thank you Selva Uncle and your very wonderful family for your generosity and love in our great time of need. It will forever be remembered and treasured.
♥️RTE
Tabitha Vicky Rajaratnam
Dear Uncle you were a great part of our childhood in Darlington. Always remembered as a kind, smiling and honest man and a loving father and husband . You will be sorely missed. X
Judith Maher/Mariathasan
Selva Mama you were like a brother to my father and an uncle to me, I have the fondest memories growing up, spending weekends with you, Rani Auntie, Jennifer and David. Many a time where you’d share your funny stories and jokes, you had the greatest sense of humour of anyone I know, always able to light up any room.
Your words of wisdom, humour and kindness were always appreciated and will never be forgotten. We have been blessed to have you in our lives and you will forever be in our hearts.
Rani Auntie, Jennifer, David and family – I hope you feel surrounded
by much love, sending healing prayers, always here for you.
Barathy, Jon, Anya and Alexa.
Selva was a wonderful person and a very good friend. Although he has gone he will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace dear friend.
With Love
and
Fond Memories
Radhika and Satyadeva
God takes good ones first, I know you were an epitome of honesty & integrity.
I am deeply saddened & heartbroken by your demise, knowing you for over 54 years, first in Hardy institute & subsequently as room mate
in Norbiton & Middlesbrough left so many pleasant memories.
I learnt a lot from you & greatly missed.
May your soul rest in peace.
Ravi S Ravindran
Eternal rest grant unto them,O Lord,and let perpetual light shine upon them.Rest in peace Amen. 🙏🌹🙏
Joseph Sooriyakumaran
Selva and I were classmates from 1961 at St. Michaels college. We were also team mates in the College cricket team. He was a true friend who took a personal interest in whatever problems his friends had. He was a vibrant person always participating in all the activities. After many years we were reunited as on “Old Boys” group and had bi monthly virtual meetings for the past 8 months. Selva and I shared wonderful memories in our reunion. He shared with me with great interest about his family and was equally interested in hearing about my family. I am deeply saddened by this sudden loss of a dear friend and would like to share my grief with his family. May the turf lie gently on you.
Angelo Patrick
RIP
Our deepest sympathy for the Selvaratnam family
From: Niranjan, Vijee & children.
(Prince brother)
Niranjan Benjamin
Selva you are a such a kind gentleman and you have the knowledge and wisdom to advice your family and friends on topics any financial economical technology and common sense. You made efforts to help and support others and be always there whenever someone invited you. You and Rani formed a formidable partnership being there for each other in every situation in life. You adored your children and your mind and thoughts were all about your children and grandchildren. Your immediate family and friends truly devastated by your loss and you left a mark in many peoples life. Selva many people shedding tears thinking about your sudden death. May your soul rest in peace.
Kumar Kusalakumar
May Saundra annan’s soul rest in God’s arms.God give peace to his siblings wife and children to be strength to accept.
Luduvica Thevaratnam
You have left us too soon with nothing but memories of “Good old days” in Middlesboro. You are indeed a gentleman at heart. Glad though that we all can treasure the zoom get together in recent days.
Rest in peace my friend.
Ram Suntha
I am terribly shocked an worrying when I heard this sad news from Karuna who is also an Intimate friend of Mr.Selvaratnam.
Our heartfelt condolence and praying for his soul rest in peace.
Sinnathurai Gunasekaram
I can’t imagine that you left us so soon. The time you spent with us will never be forgotten. I firmly trust and pray that you will be with the God.the Almighty
S Arulanandam
Selvaratnam Anna is a great human being, caring loving person with good sense of humour, cool, calm, composed person…. Very good friend… we will miss him dearly…. Rani Akka, David, Jennifer & the grand children bear the strength to overcome his Loss!!!
With love & affection
Ramanathan
Lakshmi
Parthiban
Prathaban
It is with deep sorrow that I speak these words. The unexpected and untimely passing of Selva has left an empty space amongst our close friends. We are all blessed for having known Selva.
I am proud to call you a friend – you were one of the best friends I ever had. Death is inevitable, but why did the God take you so early. I will miss you very much.
I have had the good fortune of being a friend of yours for 52 years including the five years we both were in Kuwait. I came to study at Teesside in 1968 and you came in 1970. We both settled in Teesside after graduating along with another friend, Ravi, who also came to Teesside in 1970.
You enjoyed university life and I still remember how we played football regularly on Saturdays and often ended up in the Student Union bar afterwards and not leaving until after the closing time. Later you took up playing squash and after your 10-year stint in Kuwait you became very good at it. On your return to Teesside you used to narrate to me how you were beating young guys who were half your age.
As the years went by, we became more like a family. All of our children were born in Teesside and they grew up together and I can vividly remember all the wonderful birthday parties we had in each other’s houses. My children still fondly remember the evenings they spent at your place on Christmas days.
When we started a fee-free Sunday school to provide help to children of Sri Lankan community you kindly volunteered to teach Maths. Even after you moved to London, on the occasions you were at Teesside you always came in to help.
Selva, you had a happy life surrounded by your loving wife, Rani, daughter, Jennifer, son, David, their spouses and adoring granddaughters, Ava and Mia. You doted on your granddaughters and moved to London to be with them. It is a pity that after you moved to London we saw each other less often, but I was happy to see you how content you were together with your family.
You were well-mannered and always had great respect for everyone in your family and others. You were unassuming and had a good-hearted soul. You were well thought of by everyone who came to know you. You were loved and respected by not only your extended family, but also Rani’s family and all your friends.
As friends, we laughed a lot and sometimes argued on political issues. I will miss your intelligence, sharp wit and your infectious laughter. You are a true friend and will live in our hearts until the day we meet again. May the good Lord treasure your soul in his garden of eternal peace. For now though, I bid you a fond farewell.
On behalf of my family and my siblings I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Selva’s family, his siblings and other relatives.
Rest in peace my friend
Nithiananthan & family
Dear Rani and children,
We returned home to Saratoga, California from our vacation only on Monday and thought of writing to you a note to convey our deepest sympathies at the loss of your husband, father and our dear friend Selvaretnam (Selva). We were deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news, especially within a few days after meeting with him at your home during our visit. Little did we know that we will not see him again when we said our good byes at the end of our visit!
I had the pleasure of knowing Selva for over half a century, from the time we were at college in Middlesbrough. We both shared a dorm together with other friends. We played five a side soccer and badminton sometimes during weekends at college. He was a special friend who loved sports, kind hearted, and with a beautiful smile on his face inquired about others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time. Try to remember the happy times you shared together and your heart will heal with the passing of time. May his soul rest in peace!
Radhini, Chandran & Children
May God strengthen you and your family! Pls accept our
Sincere Condolences.
Navasakthy Yigendran
We met Selva & Rani when they arrived in Middlesborough, but the friendship grew so stronger over the years because of their humility and charisma. Selvas infectious smile and his light hearted jokes always made our meeting a memorable one every time. His son David made a beautiful summary of Selvas life in his eulogy and it was very heartfelt to say good bye to selva today. May God grant him eternal happiness. From God’s Kingdom Selva will be looking down to care for his family and friends. His treasured memories will continue to linger in our hearts. Our deepest condolences to Rani,David, Jennifer and their families. Joyce & Ferdy
Hubert Ferdinand
Dear Selva you have been a great friend for many years i was so saddened that our Lord called you before me
May all His blessings be upon you and your family you are always in my prayers
Charles Viva
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