Mahesh N. Desai, 81, of Nutley, New Jersey (formerly of Clifton), passed away peacefully of cardiac arrest at his home on February 16, 2023.

Mahesh, who was born in the waning days of the British Raj of India in 1941, surprised everyone in his small village of Maroli, Gujarat State, when his exceptionally high exam scores secured him a full scholarship to Elphinstone College in Bombay (now Mumbai).  Upon graduating with a degree in Textile Chemistry, Mahesh married the love of his life, Kailas, on February 25, 1966.  Encouraged by Kailas' own adventurous spirit, the two emigrated to the United Kingdom on New Year's Eve of that same year.  The young couple enjoyed numerous pints at various pubs, danced to The Beatles, fed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square and lived a life that, while not without its difficulties, was full of love.

After Mahesh completed his Master's degree in England, the couple decided to give America a try.  They first resided in Pennsylvania, but it was in the Garden State that the couple was blessed with their only child - the daughter that Mahesh had always wanted.  Mahesh and Kailas raised Nisha in the City of Clifton.  Their happy home, which hosted a number of relatives, many of whom later established their own happy homes in Clifton, was the site of numerous parties that always featured Mahesh's booming voice and gregarious nature.

Unsurprisingly, Mahesh's career was as exceptional as his personal life.  His involvement in the creation of the drug Lotensin, a first-choice blood pressure treatment, has greatly improved, if not saved, the lives of many humans - and animals!   Mahesh was not only a brilliant chemist, he was also once a world-class singer in a Bollywood band, belting hit after hit for a growing Indian diaspora, while telling anyone who would listen about the greatness of Sinatra and Elvis, as well as of his patriotic love of the United States, the land where all of his dreams became a reality.

Mahesh's greatest life's joy, however, was found in the birth of his three grandchildren.  Not a single day passed when Mahesh was not sharing photos, videos or stories of Kieran, Dylan and Lily Grace, or simply brainstorming new ways to make them smile.  His legacy will live on in them, and in the many he inspired throughout his bombastic life.  He is survived by his loving wife Kailas, his daughter Nisha and son-in-law Vijay, his adoring grandchildren Kieran, Dylan and Lily, and his countless nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, brothers and sisters in-law, friends and colleagues.

A viewing and religious service will be held at Shook Funeral Home from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, February 17, with cremation to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that everyone strive to live their lives in peace, joy and good health.  Should anyone insist on making a charitable donation in his memory, we request that you allow it to be one that focuses on children's health, such as Cookies for Kids' Cancer (or any charity that endeavors to improve the well-being of children).