Parsiana sources information for the Milestones column from various anjumans, hospitals, individuals, newsletters and publications. While much of the material is sketchy, the Bombay marriages and death lists are quite exhaustive.
Data on marriages within the community in Bombay is culled four times in a year from the office of the Registrar of Marriages at the Bombay High Court and on interfaith unions from the Registrar of Marriages offices at Fort and Khar. There may be an inadvertent repetition of names in the marriage list when a civil marriage precedes a religious ceremony.
The list of the deceased with the causes of deaths for those consigned to the Doongerwadi in Bombay is provided by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet with a disclaimer that the information has not been verified or authenticated by them. The Worli Prayer Hall sends Parsiana names of those cremated there.
The last few names of those deceased in August 2023 find mention here as well as those who passed away till September 10.
In the break-up of Bombay Doongerwadi deaths, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases.
Causes of deaths for August 2023: Fifteen of the 20 Zoroastrians who perished due to various diseases of the heart had crossed their 80th milestone. While cancer took the lives of six patients, four each died due to hypertension and pneumonia/lung disease, three due to kidney failure and two each to liver disease, multi organ failure and brain disease. Isolated deaths were attributed to cellulitis (common and potentially serious bacterial skin and subcutaneous tissue infections), diabetes, urosepsis, septicemia, malnutrition, urinary tract infection, diverticulitis (infection in one or more small pouches of the digestive tract), dementia and gastro intestinal bleed. A centenarian (female) was lost to the community (eldest to die). The youngest was a 63-year-old female. The mean age at death of Zoroastrians for August 2023 in Bombay was 84 years. The life expectancy at birth for males was 83 years and for females, 86 years.
Parsiana also receives death intimations from the Poona Parsi Panchayat, Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, The Surat Parsi Panchayat Funds and Properties Trust, Jhansi Parsi Anjuman, Nagpur Parsi Punchayet, Zoroastrian Society of Ontario, Fram Framji of Karachi, Dr Ardeshir Damania of California and Arnavaz Sethna of Houston.
Data on births in Bombay is made available by the Breach Candy Hospital. Births in other hospitals and private nursing homes are included when an individual sends us information together with a copy of the birth certificate.
If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, they are welcome to write to/email us. Some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be necessary. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement.
Bombay
born
A boy, Shahvir, to Parinaz Madan and Dinyar Patel on August 3, 2023
A girl to Monaz and Mehrab Pardiwalla; August 21
A girl to Kainaaz and Shervin Mashreghi; August 24
married
Natasha Farokh Billimoria and Percy Dara Rajwadewala of Poona; May 7
Delna Pervez Kerawala and Farzaad Nozar Engineer;
May 14
Shaheen Farsheed Irani of Poona and Shahazad Sorab Irani; August 1
Benaisha Rustom Banker and Kaiwan Hoshang Master; August 1
died
consigned
Aspi Ardeshir Adajania (78), son of late Jerbai and late Ardeshir and brother of Jamshed, late Jal, late Dara and late Tehmi Soli Todiwala, residing at C-13, Usha Sadan, near Colaba Post Office, S. b. Rd, 400005; August 23
Villy Naval Hilloo (87), wife of late Naval, daughter of late Motamai Manchershaw Billimoria, mother of Niloufer Godrej Karanjia, Farokh and Rayomand and sister of late Keki Hilloo, Tehmina Minoo Hilloo and Edul Hilloo, 2, Laxmi Bldg, D. P. Ngr, North Avenue, Santacruz (W), 400054; August 25
Tehmuras Manchershaw Pithawalla (90), husband of late Goola, son of late Manchershaw Pithawalla, father of Rustom, Sorab and Jamshed and brother of Rohinton, Mehernosh, Bapsi, late Dinyar, Ratan and Dolly, Kazi Chawl, Parsi Galli, Gafurdon Chowk, Dudh Naka, Kalyan, 421301; August 25
Daraiyus Dhunjishaw Amaria (77), husband of Rattee, son of late Dhunmai and Dhunjishaw, father of Monaz Xerrxes Doodhwala and brother of Navroze and Niloufer Dhunjishaw Dumasia, 1/5, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; August 26
Banoo Aspi Hataria (82), wife of Aspi, daughter of late Jerbai and Sheriarji Panthaki, mother of Delna and Armin Rohinton Fatakia and sister of late Villie Behram Panthaki, late Phiroze Panthaki, late Roshan Rusi
Patel and late Dolly Dara
Ukaji, G-50, Cusrow Baug,
S. B. Rd, 400001; August 26
Roda Keki Cobla (85), wife of late Keki, daughter of late Cooverbai and Behramji Palkhiwalla, mother of Yezdi and late Kerman and sister of Kersi Palkhiwalla, Homi Palkhiwalla, late Baman Palkhiwalla, Keki Palkhiwalla, Freny and Katy, 6, Master Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; August 27
Behram Maneck Baria (80), husband of Ruby, son of late Rati and Manecksha, father of Burgess and Sarosh and brother of Arnavaz Behram Dastur and late Keki, M/7, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400001; August 28
Minoo Merjibhoy Mistry (85), husband of late Freny, son of late Jerbanoo and Merjibhoy and father of Homyar and Khursheed Zubin Mistry, 8/1, Sir Ratan Tata Clny, Tardeo, 400034; August 29
Minoo Darabsha Patel (74), husband of Siloo, son of late Piroja and Darabsha, father of Kaizad and brother of late Bahadur, L/11, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, opp Shoppers Stop, Andheri (W), 400058; August 29
Silloo Homi Daruwalla (83), wife of late Homi, daughter of late Pilamai Naoroji Digaria, mother of Prochi Adil Khambata and sister of late Rusi Digaria and Noshir Billimoria, G/1, Salsette Residential Complex, old Pump Hse, near Manish Park, Andheri (E), 400093; August 30
Zarin Parvez Garda (73), wife of late Parvez, daughter of late Shernawaz and late Marzban Khandhadia, mother of Zubin and sister of Zamir, Zarxis, Zarkshira, Zarida and Zabin, 304-A, Hilla Towers, Dr S. S. Rao Rd, Lalbaug, 400012; September 1
Mani Shavak Billimoria (80), daughter of late Jer and late Shavak and sister of Bomi and late Jiji, 630, Gemfrina, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; September 2
Aban Daraius Saher (71), wife of Daraius, daughter of late Hilla and Jal Patrawala, mother of Neville and Khushnaaz Khushru Gazdar and sister of Behroze H. Billimoria, Arnavaz and Marzban Patrawala, 14/K, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, off Shoppers Stop, Andheri (W), 400058; September 2
Bomi Hormusji Irani (84), husband of Aban, son of late Daulat and Hormusji Irani,
father of Zarine Nawzer Lala and Niloufer and brother of
Tehmpton, Katy, Farokh and late Havovi Noushi, 5/B, Wellingdon View, Sane Guruji Marg, Tulsiwadi, Tardeo, 400034; September 3
Gaimai Faramroz Patrawala (93), wife of late Framroz, daughter of late Motibai and late Faramroz Billimoria, mother of Neville, Rohinton and Adil and sister of late Khurshed Billimoria, 10, Papa Bldg,
Contractor Baug, Mori Rd,
Mahim (W), 400016;
September 3
Piloo Dara Reporter (84), husband of Homai, son of late Perin and Dara, father of Farzana Khurshed Warden and Khushnuma Coover Daruwalla and brother of Cyrus, Rukhshana Irani, Hutoxi, late Behram and Behroze Mistry, 15, Patel Apts, Agiary Lane, Thana (W), 400601; September 3
Amy Homi Appoo (95), wife of late Homi, daughter of late Khorshed and late Noshir Bhiwandivala, mother of Benaifer and sister of late Nariman Bhiwandivala and late Manek Bhiwandivala, F/12, Terrace of Shiraz, Tardeo, 400034; September 4
Tehmi Jehangir Patel (84), wife of late Jehangir, daughter of late Dhunmai Jehangirji Sukhadia and sister of Marzban Sukhadia, Hoshang Sukhadia, Sheroo, Nergish and Perviz, 816, Mistry Charity Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar (E), 400014; September 4
Dogdo Keki Siganporia (91), wife of late Keki, daughter of late Bapaimai and Phiroze Irani, mother of Gev and Behram and sister of Mehroo Joshi, late Adi Irani, Rusi Irani and Dolly Coover Vajifdar, 761, Najamai Mans, Mancherji Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar (E), 400014; September 4
Sam Framroj Poonawala (88), husband of Bakhtawar, son of late Kolamai and late Framroj, father of Cusrow, Rohinton and Mehernaaz Adil Dalal and brother of late Dolly Jimmy Unwala, late Roda Bahadur Darukhanawala, late Roshan Noshir Dhanbhura, late Freny Khurshed Guzder, late Behgal and late Dhun Poonawala, P-30, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 5
Aspi Behramshaw Bejwala (80), husband of Farida, son of late Najamai and Behramshaw, father of Anaita Sarosh Panthaki and brother of Bapsi Piroz Patel and late Rusi, 23, Bacha Mans, Gilder Lane, Bombay Central, 400008; September 7
Gool Homi Elavia (93), wife of late Homi, daughter of late Daulatbanu and Jehangirji Bavaadam, mother of Kerman and Maharukh and sister of late Freny Minoo Kapadia, Pervez Bavaadam and Dali Bavaadam, 515/B, Ratan Mans, R. P. Masani Rd, Matunga, 400019; September 7
Farrokh Sheriar Irani (78), son of late Dina and brother of late Rohinton and Shernaz, 402, Krishna Bhardawadi Rd, off S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400068; September 7
Gool Dara Karanjia (90), wife of late Dara, daughter of late Hirabai and late Dhanjisha Daruwala and mother of Bakhtavar Vivek Sonavane, Sabar Sarosh Dubash, Binaifer Jerry Rankin and Tanaz Manoj Hongorani, 15, Elphine Grove, Malcolm Baug, S. V. Rd, 400102; September 8
Keki Minocher Mistry (87), husband of Nergish, son of late Silla Minocher Mistry and father of Rushitum, Saiesha Jason Reed and Kainaz Cyrus Talati, Common Wealth, opp Air India Bldg, Madam Cama Rd, Nariman Point, 400020; September 8
Mahrukh Firoz Patel (64), wife of Firoz, daughter of late Jeroo and late Darabsha Patel and mother of Penaaz Kaizad Bhathena and Delphy Rehan Khandvani, 3/1, Baria Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; September 8
Rusi Jamshedji Dhamodiwalla (84), husband of Banoo, son of late Tehmina and late Jamshedji, father of Jamshed and Perviz and brother of Minoo, late Roshan K. Karbhari, Daulat M. Bhot and Jal, 53/A, Iris Park, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; September 9
Freny Beheram Vachha (77), wife of Beheram, daughter of Homai and late Homi Munshi, mother of Adil and Pervin Parvez Daruwala, 3/O, S. B. Bharucha Baug, Lallubhai Park Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; September 9
Khorshed Syrus Wadia (88), wife of late Syrus, daughter of late Goolbai and late Ardeshir Daruwalla, mother of Anahita Percy Sanjana, Persi and Kamal Kersi Italia and sister of Pervin Daruwalla, Mehroo Chesson, late Pilloo, Keki Daruwalla and Jal Daruwalla, 15/B-11, Engineer Bldg, Sleater Rd, Grant Rd (W), 400007; September 9
Rohinton Ratanshaw Sahuraja (83), husband of late Gool, son of late Shirinbai and late Ratanshaw and brother of late Hilla Kersi Pastakia, T/2, Hilla Towers, Lalbaug, 400012; September 10
cremated
Sheriar Phirojsha Irani (70), husband of Rukhshana, son of late Mahakhorshed and late Phirojsha, father of Natasha Irani Haque and Phirojsha and brother of Khodad, Freny Merwan Mondegarian, Shenaz Faredoon Jehani and late Hoshang, Phirojshah Bldg, Gowalia Tank, 400026;
September 1
Noshir Jehangir Desai (74), husband of Ritu, son of late Freni and late Jehangir and brother of Freddy, 43, Gulestan, 34, B. Desai Rd, 400026; September 6
Parvez Naval Hansotia (74), husband of Jyoti, son of late Khorshed and late Naval and brother of Farokh and Kersi, A/1005, Paradise Tower,
Bldg no 3, near new Viva
College, Virar (W), 401303; September 7
NAVSARI
died
Jehangir Ratansha Gandevia (66), husband of Farnaz and father of Nazneen, Avabaug, 396445; August 27
Roshan Ardeshar Bardi (75), Parsi Infirmary, 396445;
August 31
Ratan Nadirsha Sahiwala (87), husband of Dinaz and father of Arnaz and Nazneen Viraf Fanibanda, Bamji Bldg, Lunsikuui, 396445; September 4
POONA
died
Darius Minocher Forbes (96), husband of late Maharookh, son of late Dolat and late
Minocher and father of Farhad
and Naushad; August 11
SECUNDERABAD
died
Kerfegar Dinshaw Aria (58), husband of Meher, son of late Perin and late Dinshaw, father of Daanesh and brother of Kashmira and Maharukh; August 12
Dinshaw Nadirshaw Mistry (69), husband of Kashmira and father of Farhad and Viraf; August 17
UMBERGAON
died
Darayus Naval Jamshetwala (67), 102, Mayflower Bldg, behind Kanyushala School, 396191; August 20
• • •
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales
died
Godrej Soli Cooper (70),
husband of Firoza, son of
late Jer and Soli and father
of Cyrus and Jeraz in Sydney; September 3
PAKISTAN
Karachi
died
Kersi Jal Billia, husband of Arnawaz, son of late Goola and late Jal, father of Kaizad and Natasha and brother of Mani Maneck Bhadha and Mahrukh Farokh Hira; August 31
Roshni Roeinton Shroff, wife
of Roeinton, mother of Spitaman and Ava Arshad Contractor and sister of Perveen Katila, Homi Bhesania, Pervaiz Bhesania and Hoshang Bhesania; September 2
Aspand Jamshed Atashband, son of Sarwar and late Jamshed, brother of Adoght Hoshang Gamwalla, Paricher Rohinton Rustomji and
Shenaz Kersi Banaji;
September 4
USA
California
died
Farida Khushroo Lakdawala (61), wife of Khushroo, daughter of Minnie and Kersy Chinoy, mother of Jamshir, Malcolm and Kanesh and sister of Shernaz and Merzi Chinoy; September 2
Connecticut
died
Nari Spitaman Dastur, husband of Dinoo, father of Adil and Armin and brother of late
Hilloo Savak Magol and late Silloo Sanjana; September 8
• • •
Figures for Bombay
January 1-September 10, 2023
Marriages: 67
Parsi: 44
Interfaith: 23
Males married out: 12
Females married out: 11
Deaths: 476
Consigned to dakhmas: 428
Males: 213, Females: 215
Cremated: 48
Males: 24, Females: 24
Compiled by Roxan A. Driver