Obituary for Vasan Subbiah
Vasan Subbiah
September 14, 1940 – May 12, 2020
Vasan Subbiah passed away on May 12, 2020, at the age of 79 after a brief battle with COVID-19. Vasan (born Subbiah Sendurvasan) was born in Chennai, India on September 14, 1940 to A. Subbiah and S. Parvathi as the youngest of six siblings. He graduated from Loyola University in Chennai, India, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He briefly attended law school there but confessed that the sole purpose of his studies was to continue playing tennis for the University. He then went into banking, following in the footsteps of his father. When he was in his mid 30s, Vasan followed several of his older siblings and emigrated to the United States. He settled in New York City, which became his permanent home. He also spent time at his respite in Woodstock, New York, where he had a mountain home for many years.
Vasan had a zest for life and relished the adventure that came with new experiences and opportunities. He was known to be spontaneous, and one of his daughter’s fondest memories were the times when he surprised her with various pets, including kittens, puppies, goldfish, and a horse. Vasan had a passion for entrepreneurship, owning and operating numerous retail businesses and restaurants in the New York area during his lifetime. He also dabbled in several additional professions, but none brought him as much joy as entrepreneurship. Vasan had many hobbies, including cycling, yoga, tennis, painting, chess, poker, and gardening. As with everything in his life, he approached his hobbies with passion and enthusiasm, developing a deep knowledge in all his areas of interest.
Vasan loved being around people and never met a stranger. He enjoyed discussing politics, current events, and history, as well as sharing information about his hobbies and experiences. Health and fitness were central to his philosophy and he believed in the power of yoga practice and meditation. He was extremely steadfast in his beliefs and was not one to waver or take advice, though he did have much advice to offer. He delighted in sharing his knowledge with others and sought to convince everyone to try yoga. Though he spent most of his years in New York City, he spent the later part of his life on the Jersey Shore and loved being on the beach, enjoying his daily bike rides along the board walk. Though he never returned to live in India permanently, he was extremely proud of his home country and often insisted that all good things had their origins in India.
Most of all, he loved his daughter, Laura, and was extremely proud of her. It was his greatest joy to make Laura happy, and he turned many of her childhood dreams into reality. He built a treehouse for her in the back yard of his Woodstock home, got her a horse named Smokey, hosted many preteen dance parties, and took her on fantastic adventures. He was not known for his punctuality, and once missed a flight home from a tropical vacation because he wanted to make sure Laura had enough time to look at a cool peacock at the zoo. Anything that was fun was ok in his book. Even after Laura grew up, got married, and had kids of her own, he called her his dumpling and always thought of her as his little girl. He had a silly sense of humor and loved to make his grandchildren giggle.
Later in life, his health prevented him from engaging in many of his personal and professional passions, which was a difficult change for him. He will always be remembered by his zest for life and love for his family. We are comforted that he is now at peace. Vasan is survived by his daughter, Laura Tenenbaum (née Subbiah), his son in law, Jordan Tenenbaum, his two grandchildren, Reese and Owen, and his ex-wife, Judith Schwartz. We invite those who knew Vasan to share a fond memory or funny story about him in the comments section or make a donation to a COVID-19 relief organization of your choice.
September 14, 1940 – May 12, 2020
Vasan Subbiah passed away on May 12, 2020, at the age of 79 after a brief battle with COVID-19. Vasan (born Subbiah Sendurvasan) was born in Chennai, India on September 14, 1940 to A. Subbiah and S. Parvathi as the youngest of six siblings. He graduated from Loyola University in Chennai, India, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He briefly attended law school there but confessed that the sole purpose of his studies was to continue playing tennis for the University. He then went into banking, following in the footsteps of his father. When he was in his mid 30s, Vasan followed several of his older siblings and emigrated to the United States. He settled in New York City, which became his permanent home. He also spent time at his respite in Woodstock, New York, where he had a mountain home for many years.
Vasan had a zest for life and relished the adventure that came with new experiences and opportunities. He was known to be spontaneous, and one of his daughter’s fondest memories were the times when he surprised her with various pets, including kittens, puppies, goldfish, and a horse. Vasan had a passion for entrepreneurship, owning and operating numerous retail businesses and restaurants in the New York area during his lifetime. He also dabbled in several additional professions, but none brought him as much joy as entrepreneurship. Vasan had many hobbies, including cycling, yoga, tennis, painting, chess, poker, and gardening. As with everything in his life, he approached his hobbies with passion and enthusiasm, developing a deep knowledge in all his areas of interest.
Vasan loved being around people and never met a stranger. He enjoyed discussing politics, current events, and history, as well as sharing information about his hobbies and experiences. Health and fitness were central to his philosophy and he believed in the power of yoga practice and meditation. He was extremely steadfast in his beliefs and was not one to waver or take advice, though he did have much advice to offer. He delighted in sharing his knowledge with others and sought to convince everyone to try yoga. Though he spent most of his years in New York City, he spent the later part of his life on the Jersey Shore and loved being on the beach, enjoying his daily bike rides along the board walk. Though he never returned to live in India permanently, he was extremely proud of his home country and often insisted that all good things had their origins in India.
Most of all, he loved his daughter, Laura, and was extremely proud of her. It was his greatest joy to make Laura happy, and he turned many of her childhood dreams into reality. He built a treehouse for her in the back yard of his Woodstock home, got her a horse named Smokey, hosted many preteen dance parties, and took her on fantastic adventures. He was not known for his punctuality, and once missed a flight home from a tropical vacation because he wanted to make sure Laura had enough time to look at a cool peacock at the zoo. Anything that was fun was ok in his book. Even after Laura grew up, got married, and had kids of her own, he called her his dumpling and always thought of her as his little girl. He had a silly sense of humor and loved to make his grandchildren giggle.
Later in life, his health prevented him from engaging in many of his personal and professional passions, which was a difficult change for him. He will always be remembered by his zest for life and love for his family. We are comforted that he is now at peace. Vasan is survived by his daughter, Laura Tenenbaum (née Subbiah), his son in law, Jordan Tenenbaum, his two grandchildren, Reese and Owen, and his ex-wife, Judith Schwartz. We invite those who knew Vasan to share a fond memory or funny story about him in the comments section or make a donation to a COVID-19 relief organization of your choice.