Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel
912-754-6421 (fax) 912-754-3426
P.O. Box 295
Springfield, GA 31329
Aggrey J. Thurairatnam (1940 – 2017)
Rincon, GA – It is with great sadness that the family of Aggrey J. Thurairatnam, Ph.D., announce his passing on December 16, 2017 at Memorial Health, at the age of 77. Born May 7, 1940 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, he was the son of the late K.C. and Elsie (née Scott) Thurairatnam.
Dr. Thurairatnam's career spanned several continents and disciplines. In his early life, he taught at Union College and St. John's College in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He worked as a guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal at Bucyrus High School in Bucyrus, Ohio before transitioning his career from education to technology in the early 1980s. He worked for Xerox for several years before taking a risk on early cellular provider United Telesprectrum, where he was instrumental in launching some of the nation's first cellular networks. He continued in leadership roles at Centel Cellular, 360 Communications, and Sprint Cellular. In 2004, Aggrey retired from Hargray Communications as Director of Sales and Marketing. He received his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Bowling Green State University.
A man of great warmth and generosity, Aggrey found his greatest joy in helping others – preferably without fanfare or credit, and he was known for his vibrant character and significant wit. He was an exceptional storyteller who loved travel, reading, and a good "cowboy movie."
One of six siblings, Aggrey was preceded in death by brothers Dante (Sheila) and Goethe (Mary, deceased), and sister Agnes Dudley (Lindsey, deceased).
Dr. Thurairatnam is survived by his wife, Susan (née Sasak), daughter Andrea Imdacha (Jarrod), and brothers Lincoln (Kamala) and Augustine (Nayanthi). His memory is also cherished by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends from across the globe.
Visitation locally will be held on Tuesday, December 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Effingham Chapel at 2460 Highway 21 South, Rincon, GA (912-754-6421). Additional visitation and funeral services will be held in Bowling Green, OH. For information on services in Ohio, please contact Dunn Funeral Home, 408 W Wooster St, Bowling Green, OH (419-352-2132).
Memorial donations in memory of Aggrey may be made to the American Heart Association at donatenow.heart.org/
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home Effingham Chapel (912)754-6421