Obituary of Chandulal Shamji Unalkat

Chandulal Shamji Unalkat passed away peacefully at the Fairhaven Health Care Center on Tuesday morning, April 1, 2014. He was 84 years. He was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, the son of the late Shamji & Kasiben Unalkat. He was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda and worked in his father’s family business of blacksmiths. When he grew older and got married, his first business was painting. He was known around town as Chandu Painter. In addition to painting, he opened his own retail store. He had a passion for sign painting, calligraphy, photography and he made quite a name for himself in Kampala. People from miles would come to see his work. When they were filming the African Queen, he was asked to paint signs for the boat used in the movie. At his retail store, he trained Mahesh, his oldest son, how to run the business at a very young age. Mahesh was quick to learn the business while still attending in school. He was quite successful and well respected in Kampala. In 1971, the brutal dictator, Idi Amin took control of Uganda and shortly after that expelled all Asians from the country. Chandulal and his family were forced to leave all their home, car, bank accounts, and personal belongings. They came to the United States as political refugees, each with 1 suitcase and only $126 dollars between them. Chandulal and his family had to rebuild their lives. He was a man of strong character and resiliency. He and his son found odd jobs to help their family get by at first. He then found a permanent position as a machinist at Microwave in Burlington. They were able to buy a home in Burlington in 1980. He was so full of life and loved life to the fullest. He had the best sense of humor. He would tell the funniest and sometimes the corniest jokes and often laughed at his own jokes. He loved people and made friends easily. He was a generous man and would give generously to people in need. His family remembers how when they were little, the first thing he would do after work was to get all the kids dressed and take them and his wife out to the park, for ice-cream or to the movies. On occasional Sundays, he would take his family to Silver Springs for a swim or picnics at the Entebbe Beach or to the zoo. He loved movies and would pack the car with food and a night at the drive in with family and friends. There was never a dull moment with Chandulal. Chandulal was the beloved husband of 62 years of Hansa (Adatia) whom he adored and treated like a queen. He was the loving father of Mahesh, Anila, Smita and late Sunil Unalkat. He leaves behind two brothers, a sister and several nieces and nephews in Canada and the U.K. Vising hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, April 3 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and will conclude with a funeral service at 3:30 p.m.