Daniel (Jojan), beloved husband of Annamma John and father of Rajesh and Suresh John, was born on December 30, 194, the eldest son of his late parents John and Kunjamma Daniel. Daniel belongs to Manalel family (Thuruthyil) from Kottayam, and is brother to Daniel Mohan and sister to late Elizabeth Thomas (Chinnu).
He was married on May 3, 1971 to Annamma Varghese of
Thattayil House from Puthencavu, Kerala.
Daniel attended MT Seminary High School (Kottayam) were he excelled in the
sciences. He got his BSc in Mathematics from Kerala
University, his MSc in Mathematics and
Statistics from Agra University and his MBA from St.
Johns University (Queens, New York).
He was a Chartered Accountant (India)
and a Certified Public Accountant (USA) with AICWA & IRS
certifications.
Daniel started his career as a lecturer of mathematics at Mar
Athanashius College
(Kothamangalam) and later moved to Shaw Wallace company in Madras.
After immigrating to the US in 1971, Daniel joined CARE
International and then moved to Dairy Lee (Tuscan Dairy Farms) as CFO. In 1980
he took the bold step and became an entrepreneur founding J&J
Graphics/Print Express, a commercial and retail printing company. He is well
known for owning and operating Maharani Indian Restaurants, pioneering Indian
cuisine into northern New Jersey.
Daniel was a deeply religious person who grew up in the CSI tradition,
initially at the Ascension
Church (Kanjikuzhy,
Kottayam). He was the catalyst in forming the first CSI Congregation in New York in 1978; as-well-as supported multiple
congregations in the greater NY tri-state region and most recently a member of Christ CSI Church, Tappan,
New York.
Daniel was an outstanding multi-sport athlete and avid soccer and tennis fan
from childhood. He played university level for both sports and continued his
active interest and community support for tennis throughout his life.
Daniel was involved with numerous community, ethnic, and political
organizations having served on leadership roles with Federation of Indian
Associations, Kerala Samajam of Greater NYC, Kerala Cultural Form (NJ), and
multiple Bergen County Chambers of Commerce. Most recently he started a local
chapter of Toast Masters to promote better communication skills.
Daniel has been instrumental in supporting hundreds of family and friends to
achieve the American Dream. He will be remembered for his larger than life
personality, great kindness and generosity by all who knew him. Daniel was
highly regarded as a versatile organizer and trusted confidant. He was relied
upon heavily by his family and friends, thus his passing leaves an
irreplaceable void. His vibrant personality, infectious optimism, and marks of
his footprints will remain eternally.
Daniel is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters-in-las (Shiny and
Gwen), six grandchildren (Jacob, James, Parker, Emily, Hannah, and Andrew); as
well as greater family and friends both near and far.