Born 18 MAR 1936 / Rest 28 JAN 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Ponniah Thangarajah, affectionately known to many as Thanga, who passed away on January 28, 2026, at the age of 89. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.
Born in Sri Lanka on March 18, 1936, Thanga spent his early youth in Malaysia before returning to Sri Lanka to continue his education from middle school onward. He was an avid athlete, excelling in tennis, soccer, cricket, and field hockey.
Thanga was admitted into the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya in 1960. He began his career as a veterinary officer in the government Department of Agriculture, serving in various regions of Sri Lanka. Later, he joined the Veterinary Research Institute in Gannoruwa (Peradeniya), where he worked in the Department of Animal Genetics.
After completing postgraduate work in Animal Nutrition in Canada, Thanga focused on animal feeds at the Veterinary Research Institute. He represented South Asian countries in the Commonwealth Veterinary Association until 1979. That year, he moved to Nigeria, where he worked as a production manager in a poultry feed mill and as a consultant to poultry farmers.
Thanga’s journey continued from Nigeria to Canada and finally to the U.S.A., where he completed his career as a Veterinary Technician for Los Angeles County. Upon retirement, he remained active in NGO programs supporting Sri Lanka, participating in the resettlement of displaced people in Northern Sri Lanka and advising farmers on poultry production and dairy farming.
His lifelong passions included playing sports, gardening, cooking, enjoying the company of friends and family, and listening to Indian classical music. He is survived by his wife, Jeyanjali; sons, Sivesh and Haran; daughter-in-law, Kami; brother, Devarasa; nephew, Suresh; nieces, Ranji and Hanthy; grand-niece, Abira, and grand-nephews Harish, Jana and Vishnu. He will be deeply missed by his extended family and friends across the world.
Thanga will be remembered for his infectious smile, generous spirit, integrity, moral conviction, and steadfast commitment to his family and friends.
May he rest in peace, forever in our hearts.
We request our families and friends to accept this notice through RIPBOOK.
Informed by: Family
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Ritual
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Saturday, 07 Feb 2026 9:30 AM
Hollywood Forever Cemetery 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States
Contacts
Jeyanjali - Wife
Mobile : +16613730497
Sivesh - Son
Mobile : +13104302589
Haran - Son
Mobile : +16507148314