Yashwant Khodabhai Patel

Yashwantbhai Khodabhai Patel passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones. In 1978, he immigrated to New Jersey from India with his late wife, Nirmalaben Patel. Shortly after, they settled in Chicago, Illinois to start their life in the United States, and his daughters immigrated a year later. In 1980, he moved his family back to New Jersey to be closer to his family.

With a passion for learning, he was a man of many talents throughout his life, spanning from a college professor, having graduated with a master’s degree in teaching in India, to a chemist, and then a successful businessman, his favorite profession. He was also interested in politics and became a councilman in Carteret, NJ. In his retirement, he began living with his daughter, Anisha, in Pennsylvania and most recently Florida. Yashwantbhai was a spiritual man, devoted to the Swaminarayan faith; in his life, he was blessed by many priests, who chose to spend their days with him during visits to America. He equally looked forward to their visits, as he dedicated his time in service to them. Within the Carteret community, he aided other faiths, such as the Sikhs in building the first two Punjabi temples in Carteret. In his pastime, Yashwantbhai enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking and trying new foods, and socializing with people in his surrounding communities. Most recently, he focused on his health and loved driving the golf cart to the community gym. In the last two years of his life, Yashwantbhai truly enjoyed his retirement, spending time at the beach, playing with the family dog Indy, and laughing with his grandkids.

He is survived by his brothers Ashok Desai, Harshad Patel, and Vijay Patel; sister Jayshree Patel; daughters Anisha and Dipti; and grandchildren, Bella, Misha, Briya, Niki, and Taylin. He was a cherished husband, father, brother, friend, and pillar of his community.

Please join us for daily Bhajan’s at 8pm EST, until March 14th via this Link:

13th Day Pooja will be held at Anisha’s house on March 15th 8am-10:30am 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://berkeleyprep.zoom.us/j/98528957848

Meeting ID: 985 2895 7848