Bhagwandas

Rana

Bhagwandas Rana

February 17, 1936 – September 27, 2026

Bhagwandas Rana, our beloved Dada, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, at the age of 90. He was born in Pardi, Gujarat, the fourth of nine brothers. He grew up in Mumbai and in May 1964 he married his life partner, Sushila, and together they built a family full of warmth, faith and love in South Mumbai.

Dada was a tailor by trade and a musician at heart. With his hands he provided for his family, often sewing beautiful clothes for his own children, including chaniya cholis for his daughter and outfits for his sons. With his voice, his harmonium and his mandolin, he brought joy to Navratri and festival celebrations. He never missed a chance to dance, and his family will always remember him lighting up the floor with a cha-cha.

In 1998, he moved to the United States, and true to his determination to keep learning, he studied English at the age of 59, before making the journey. He was the steady heart of his family, and his daughter calls him the strongest person she has ever known. He faced life's challenges with quiet courage, never wanting anyone to worry about him. His lifelong love of health began early at the gym and continued on with his Dariya Mandal friends with swimming and walking that stayed with him until his final months.

Dada was an avid traveler who explored nearly every corner of India, and he made sure the whole family came along. A man of deep faith, he completed the pilgrimage to all twelve Jyotirlingas across India and visited Pashupatinath in Nepal.

After our grandmother, Sushila, passed away in 2024, Dada carried on with the same strength he had always shown. He kept his daily routine, enjoyed his walks in the sunshine and his days at day care, and never lost his love of sweets.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Yamini and Milan, Punit and Rakhi, and Dhaval and Abhilasha; by his grandchildren, Pankti, Kairav, Tanay and Khevna; and by the family's youngest addition, Mishti the cat. His love, his music and his strength will live on in all of us.

Visiting and Puja service will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026 from 10AM - 12PM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Cremation to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, 255 Main Ave., Clifton.