Plan for the Future
Augustine “Gus” Pushparaj, 84, of Summit, New Jersey passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017 at his home.
Augustine was born on August 10, 1933 in the village of Kalugumalai,Tamil-Nadu, India. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Masillmani and Thenumani Nadar.
Gus received his Bachelor of Science from Loyola College, University of Madras, India, and a Bachelor of Engineering from University of Detroit in Detroit, MI. He furthered his education, by receiving his Masters of Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
He began his career with Parke-Davis working as a project engineer. Gus later worked for Squibb-International and spent the last portion of his career with Ciba-Geigy, later called Novartis after the merger with Sandoz, retiring as the Director of Engineering from 1969-1998. While working at Ciba, he was instrumental in forming the construction round table, (CRT), which brings together user companies and the construction companies.
Gus was a member of the Rotary Club of Summit-New Providence where he served as the past president. He was also a former Board of Trustee at Overlook Hospital and Oak Knoll School. Gus was given the award for rotary international person of the year in 2014 and a few Paul Harvey Awards.
He and his wife built a computer lab and helped expand the school in India in the village where he was born. With the help of Rotary International, they furnished the auditorium which was built by donations from the Summit area. They also created the Gus and Neela Pushparaj charitable Foundation.
Gus is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Neelavathy (Neela) Pushparaj, MD of Summit, NJ. He is the loving father of Vanitha Pushparaj and husband Michael Brandon of Essex Fells, NJ and Kumar Pushparaj and wife Lisa of Chester, NJ. In addition, he is the loving Tha-tha ( Grandpa) of Jack and Joseph Brandon and Maddox and Lincoln Pushparaj. He is also survived by his brothers; Leo Albert and J.P. Lawrence both of Boston, MA area.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, October 20, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bradley, Brough & Dangler Funeral Home, 299 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 306 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gus’s name to Gus & Neela Pushparaj Foundation or Rotary Club of Summit-New Providence.