Cherished Husband and Father from Sri Lanka Passes Away After Sudden Heart Attack in Provo, Utah — Community Mourns Profound Loss and Celebrates Legacy of Family, Faith, and Resilience
Provo, UT – July 1, 2025 — In the quiet early hours of a summer morning, the peaceful rhythm of a Utah neighborhood was pierced by heartbreak. A beloved husband, father, and proud Sri Lankan-American collapsed unexpectedly in his home, triggering a wave of sorrow that would soon ripple across Provo and beyond. The man, known affectionately within his circles for his warm presence, tireless work ethic, and boundless love for his family, passed away following a sudden cardiac event. Though emergency responders managed to restart his heart during transport, the precious seconds his brain spent without oxygen proved devastating. Despite efforts at the hospital, he was unable to recover.
The loss has left a profound impact on his family, friends, and the broader Sri Lankan diaspora in Utah, many of whom are now gathering to grieve, remember, and honor a life that, though ended too soon, was lived with great intention and love.
A Sudden and Devastating Loss
The man, who had been in good spirits just the night before, reportedly collapsed around 5:30 a.m. inside the family’s Provo residence. His wife, awakened by the sound of him falling, called 911 immediately. Emergency medical technicians arrived within minutes and were able to restore a heartbeat during their rushed transport to the nearest medical center. But upon arrival, doctors soon discovered that the minutes without oxygen had caused irreversible damage.
Within hours, the family’s worst fears were confirmed. By midmorning, close relatives were notified, and the household began to fill with tearful embraces, prayers, and stunned silence. News of the tragedy traveled quickly, especially among the close-knit Sri Lankan community in Utah County, who rallied to offer both logistical support and heartfelt comfort.
A Devoted Family Man
The man’s family has described him as a pillar in their lives — steady, generous, and unwavering in his love. A father of three, he was involved in every part of his children’s lives: from school drop-offs and sporting events to bedtime stories and weekend hikes. His wife, now left to navigate life without her closest companion, spoke softly through tears: “He was my best friend. My children’s hero. Our world revolved around his love.”
Family members have emphasized the profound love he had for both his adopted country and his homeland. Born and raised in Sri Lanka, he carried the values of community, hospitality, and quiet perseverance with him wherever he went. After immigrating to the United States nearly two decades ago, he made a life rooted in service, humility, and devotion to his family.
Community Support and Solidarity
Within hours of his passing, members of the local Sri Lankan and broader South Asian community mobilized to provide meals, organize memorial gatherings, and assist with arrangements. What has emerged is not just a story of loss but a story of unity, compassion, and enduring cultural strength.
Neighbors in Provo, many of whom had grown close to the family over the years, have shared memories of a kindhearted man who would always lend a hand — whether it was helping shovel snow in the winter or offering a warm meal during difficult times. One local resident recalled, “He made you feel like family. It didn’t matter where you were from — he saw the human first.”
Faith leaders from local temples, churches, and interfaith groups have offered their services for spiritual support. A vigil, marked by candlelight and traditional prayers, was held two days later, attended by friends, coworkers, and even strangers touched by the family’s story.
A Man of Integrity, Faith, and Service
Professionally, he worked in the IT sector, known for his diligence, kindness, and deep ethical standards. Coworkers described him as someone who rarely sought attention, yet whose absence was felt immediately. “He was a quiet leader,” said a colleague. “When he spoke, it mattered. And when he listened, you felt understood.”
Outside of work, he remained deeply connected to his roots, often volunteering for cultural events, mentoring young Sri Lankan students, and advocating for intergenerational dialogue within the community. His home was a place where cultures met, conversations flourished, and laughter was abundant.
He had also become a steady presence in local interfaith dialogues, offering insights on Sri Lankan heritage and Buddhist teachings, while also embracing the interwoven diversity of American life. His passing is not only a loss to those who loved him personally but to every institution and initiative he touched with wisdom and calm assurance.
Remembering Through Ritual and Legacy
In keeping with tradition, the family is planning a funeral ceremony that blends Sri Lankan customs with the spiritual practices they hold dear. The arrangements are being coordinated with help from both a local cultural association and family members abroad, many of whom are making travel arrangements to attend the rites in person.
The service will include Buddhist chants, eulogies from close friends and colleagues, and a slideshow of memories capturing his life’s journey — from the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka to the snow-capped Wasatch Front of Utah. It will be a remembrance not of how he died, but of how he lived: humbly, faithfully, and full of purpose.
In addition to the funeral service, a scholarship fund is being created in his name, to support young immigrants in Utah pursuing careers in technology — a field he deeply believed could lift individuals and families into new chapters of success. His family hopes that the fund will become a lasting testament to his spirit of giving and his belief in hard work and education.
A Message to All Who Mourn
Grief counselors and spiritual advisors close to the family have encouraged those affected by the loss to find solace in one another and to honor his memory by embodying the values he lived by. These include resilience, gentleness, humility, and love — virtues that now serve as guiding lights in the darkness left by his passing.
A longtime friend of the family shared this reflection: “He was the kind of person who left things better than he found them — whether it was a workplace, a conversation, or a human heart.”
Moving Forward with Grace
The journey ahead for the family will be difficult, and the absence left behind is enormous. Yet in the face of this devastating loss, they are surrounded by a circle of strength, grounded in shared memories, cultural traditions, and the enduring love of a man who gave everything he had to his family and community.
His wife and children, though heartbroken, have expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support they’ve received, noting that each kind word, prayer, and gesture of kindness has reminded them that they are not alone in their grief.
In the weeks to come, memorial services will continue, and plans are underway to create a community garden in his name — a living space of reflection, growth, and connection, just as he would have wanted.
In Loving Memory
The man whose life was taken so suddenly on July 1, 2025, leaves behind a legacy of love that no tragedy can erase. Through the stories shared, the lives touched, and the ongoing acts of kindness inspired by his memory, he continues to live on. His family’s heartbreak is deep, but so too is their pride in the man they were lucky enough to call husband and father.
As the community of Provo joins with those grieving across oceans and continents, they hold onto the enduring truth that love — even in loss — connects, uplifts, and ultimately heals.
Funeral arrangements, donation details, and memorial updates will be announced in the coming days as the family continues to receive support and honor the remarkable life of their loved one.
