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 February 2023 find mention here as well as those who passed away till March 11.
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 February 2023: Heart disease (eight, seven were above 80 years), pneumonia/lung disease (six), cancer and multi organ failure (five each), kidney failure and diabetes (four each), septic shock and brain disease (three each), septicemia (two) and dementia, bed sores, hypertension and hypothyroidism (one each). One death of a 40-year-old male (the youngest to breathe his last) was attributed to "death due to multiple injuries.” The eldest to pass away was a 98-year-old female. The mean age at death of Zoroastrians for February 2023 in Bombay was 81 years. The life expectancy at birth for males was 80 years and for females, 82 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 to Friya and Rayomand Elavia on February 5, 2024
A boy to Meherzin Lakadia
and Fredoon Dadachanji; February 10
A boy to Ayesha Gundevia; February 12
A boy to Khushnaaz and Hanoz Pir; February 12
A girl to Simone and
Mehernosh Engineer;
February 14
A girl to Benaz and Farzaad Dastoor; February 27
died
consigned
Noshir Framroze Randeria (81), husband of late Khorshed, son of late Meherbai and late Framroze, father of Homyar and Porus and brother of late Dilnavaz Behram Billimoria and late Sorab, residing at Ratanbai Chinoy Bldg, Zoroastrian Clny, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; February 22
Pilloo Essadvaster Siganporia (72), wife of Essadvaster, daughter of Dhun and late Bahadur Medhora, mother of Delnaz Siganporia and Jeraz and sister of Roshani Behram Siganporia and Rusi Medhora, 4, Dinshaw Bldg, Dhunbaiwadi, near Gokhlibai School, Dadabhai Rd, Vile Parle (W), 400056; February 22
Nozar Homi Ichhaporia (65), husband of Aban and son of Banoo and late Homi, Plot no 34, Gulmohur Market, Yard Rd, behind Sattha Clny, Poonam Motinagar, Ahmadnagar, 414001; February 24
Homai Sheriar Irani (94), wife of late Sheriar, daughter of late Motibai Khodadad Irani, mother of Rohinton, Jasmine, Percy and Khodadad and sister of Goolu, late Shapur Irani, late Jamshed Irani, late Silloo and late Roshan, Room no 7, 221, Haji Kasam Bldg, Belasis Rd, Nagpada, 400004; February 24
Nergish Naval Billimoria (89), wife of late Naval, daughter of late Putli and Minoo Patel, mother of Homiyar and Eric and sister of Jhangoo Patel and late Rita Haradhwala, 95, Razia Manor, Prof Almeida Rd, TPS Iv, Bandra (W), 400050; February 25
Rohinton Rusi Dastoor (62), son of late Roshan and late Rusi, 6/A, Clover Apts, 29, Cuffe Parade, above Vijaya Bank, Colaba, 400005;
February 25
Nauzad Khushroo Ghaswalla (40), son of Samanaz and Khushroo, 170-A, Maharukh Mans, Alibhai Premji Marg, Grant Rd (E), 400007;
February 2
Jahengir Khodayar Irani (75), husband of Shehnaaz, son of late Roshan and Khodayar and father of Khushnaaz Afshin Irani and Parivaz Farheng Irani, Hse no 2549, Galli no 21, Bhairavnath Ngr, Kusgaon, Lonavala, 410401; February 25
Noshir Ardeshir Patel (81), husband of late Silloo, son of late Cooma and Ardeshir, father of Delnaz Patel and brother of Aspi and late Perin Jimmy
Paymaster, 347/A, United Chmbs, next to Shalimar Theatre, Maulana Shaukat Ali Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; February 25
Keki Jalejar Daruwalla (85), husband of Ruby, son of late Piloo and late Jalejar, father of Zaran and brother of late Rusi, B-11, Tardeo Chmbs, Kashinath Rd, 400034; February 26
Phiroze Dorabji Vachha (95), husband of Nergish, son of late Chandanmai and Dorabji, father of Kashmira and Burzin and brother of Homi, late Jimmy, late Hoshang and late Keki, 2B/32, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, J. B. Marg, Parel, 400012; February 26
Behnafshah Nikhil Morarji (64), wife of Nikhil, daughter of late Parizad Sheriar Irani and late Homi Khodadad Irani and mother of Sahil, 20, B. G. Kher Marg, Malabar Hill, opp Sayadhri Guest Hse, 400006; February 27
Roshan Jal Morena (77), wife of Jal, daughter of late Piloo and Burjor Kanga, mother of Nozer and sister of Manek Dinyar Kanga and late Viraf Kanga, 8/101, Chaechast, Behram Baug Parsi Clny, Behram Baug Rd, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; February 27
Homai Homi Shroff (70), wife of Homi, daughter of late Dolly and late Dinshaw Bharucha, mother of Ferzin Jimmy Bhathena and Persis Kaivan Khambata and sister of Pervin, Zarin H. Khambatta, Shernaz Dumasia, Rashna M. Govadia and Hormaz Govadia, 23/34, Aderbad, Hughes Rd, opp Prempuri Ashram, Babulnath, 400007; February 27
Minoo Burjorji Patel (86), husband of late Roda, son of late Goolbai and Burjorji, father of Rashna and brother of Keki, late Sheriyar, late Dina, late Perin and late Homi, 301, Joy Alka Soc, opp Asha Medical, Ceasar Rd, Amboli, Andheri, 400058; February 28
Fali Darabsha Khambata (78), husband of Bakhtaver, son of late Alamai and Darabsha, father of Nauzer Kuka and brother of Keki, Kersi, late Minoo, late Sam, late Perin Daruwalla, Kety Antalia and Dhun Unvala, 815, Engineer Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Dadar T. T., 400014; February 29
Parvez Dosabhoy Nalladaru (87), husband of late Homai, son of late Nergish and Dossabhoy, father of Maharukh Magol, Susan Percy Poonegar, Aresh, Darayus and Ketayun and brother of late Behram, Armaity Dhunjishaw Tata and Aban Minoo Karkaria, Fire Temple Cmpd, 102, Dadiseth Agiary Lane, Fanaswadi, 400002; February 29
Burjor Framroze Pavri (87), 3/95, Razia Manzil, Prof Almeida Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; February 29
Meher Bommy Batiwala (86), wife of late Bommy, daughter of Hilla and late Khurshed Machliwala, mother of Rayomand, Shireen Khushru Mistry and Rashna Batiwala and sister of Zarine Yezdi Daruwala, 666, Orient Hse, Parsi Clny, Dadar (E), 400014; March 1
Nazafrin Jehangir Kalvachvala (20), daughter of Firuzee and Jehangir Kalvachvala and sister of Kaizine and Mahzarine, N-4, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri, 400058; March 1
Rohinton Rustom Mogul (82), husband of late Manjeet, son of Perin and late Rustom, father of Shyra and Zubin and brother of Hoshi, Mehroo Panthaki, Khurshid and late Polly, 33, Basant Apt, opp G. D. Somani School, Cuffe Parade, 400005; March 2
Minoo Jamshed Irani (81), husband of Gulshan, son of late Perin Jamshed Irani, father of Zarasp, Niloofer Zarir Tamboli and Arnavaz Minocher Mehta and brother of late Daraius, Aspandiar, Cyrus and Dinshaw, Shri Sitaram Sadan, Shamaldas Gandhi Marg, Kalbadevi, 400002; March 3
Perviz Navroji Gheesta (85), daughter of Piroja and late Navroji and sister of late
Khorshed Balsara, 501, Rajni Mhl, Tulsiwadi, Tardeo, 400034; March 4
Arzaan Cyrus Shroff (16),
son of Firoza and Cyrus and brother of Mishaal, 8-72/B, Cozy Bldg, A. K. Marg, Gowalia Tank, 400026;
March 4
Arnaz Noshir Governor (65), wife of Noshir, daughter of late Mithamai and Hormashji Patel, mother of Farnaza Governor (Prashant Menon) and sister of Pervez Patel, Shernavaz Firoze Shroff and late Keki Patel, 208, Anita Bldg no 9, Lokhandwala Complex, Kandivali (E), 400101; March 7
Homi Behramji Ranji (83), son of Homai and Behramji Ranji and brother of Dhun Kersi Master and late Arnavaz Sorab Mody, Ranji Hse, Pathe
Bapurao Marg, next to Falkland Rd PO, Grant Rd, 400006; March 7
Shapur Phiroze Rao (91), husband of Zarine, son of late Thrity Phiroze Rao, father of Firoze and Armeene Byram Shroff and brother of Khorshed Cawas Motiwalla and late
Sam, 8, Saker Apt, 71, Pochkhanwala Rd, 400030; March 7
Merwan Behramji Zaiwalla (79), husband of Soonoo, son of late Jerbanoo and Behramsha, father of Anahita Dharmesh Mehta, Farzin Amber Shinde and late Adil and brother of Parvez, Sam, Homi, Jimmy and Hutokshi Kershasp Italia, N 201, RNA Regency Park, M. G. Rd, Kandivali (W), 400064; March 7
Homai Jamshedji Kalwachwalla (88), daughter of late Najamai and Jamshedji and sister of Beji, late Villie and late Katy, Thakurdwar, 400002; March 8
Khorshed Kersi Dupetawalla (83), wife of late Kersi, daughter of late Putlamai Pirojsha Deboo, mother of Zenobia Neville Fulwadiwala and Cyrus and sister of Tehmtan Deboo, Jal Deboo, late Bhikoo, Minoo Deboo, Baji Deboo and Aspi Deboo, 23, Ahura Apt, Gunpowder Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; March 9
Roshni Aspi Elavia (77), wife of late Aspi, daughter of late Naju and Burjore Chehna, mother of Kashmira Elavia (Sachin Mody) and Anu Ravi Kanwar and sister of Adi Chehna, 2-5, N. M. Wadia, S. V. Rd, 400102; March 10
Pearl Homi Karai (88), wife of late Homi, daughter of late Banoobai and Rustomji Mistry, mother of Viraf and Gulshan Eric Lawyer and sister of Sophie Pheroze Engineer and late Ruby Bejan Bharucha, A/8, Gool Mhl, Sleater Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; March 10
Mehroo Beji Billimoria (95), wife of late Beji, daughter of Ratanbai and Jehangir Ranina, mother of Kaiyoze, Binaifer and Jasmine and sister of
Hoshang Ranina and late Darius Ranina, 10/B, Sunita, B. G. Kher Marg, Ridge Rd, Malabar
Hill, 400026; March 11
Adil Keki Medhora (72),
husband of Bakhtawar, son of late Nargis and late Kekobad, father of Jennifer Farid Bhiwandiwalla and late Mehraaz and brother of Kayomarz and Hiraz, 11, Patel Bldg, Cama Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; March 11
Zarir Jahanbux Tata (67), husband of Roshan, son of late Goolcher and late Jehanbux, father of Jamasp and Cyrus and brother of Noshirwan, Mehelangeez Kersi Bhesania and Khurshid Dinshaw Variava, C/o Parsi Deval, Mauli Putla, Lonavala, 410401; March 11
cremated
Jamshyd Dinshaw Lam (80), husband of Benvemitta, son of late Mani and late Dinshaw, father of Xenia and Jiaan and brother of Framroze, Phiroze, late Soli and late Shireen, 5/B, Brady Flats, opp Hanuman Mandir, Sohrab Bharucha Rd, Colaba, 400005; February 25
Farida Khushroo Madon (68), wife of Khushroo, daughter of late Dinoo and late Minoo Driver, mother of Fali and Jimmy and sister of late Aspi Driver and Marazban Driver, S/14, Godrej Baug, off Nepean Sea Rd, 400026; February 25
BULSAR
died
Mehli Cawas Bhesania (63), husband of Hutoxi, son of late Ava and late Cawas and father of Delzad, 402, Sai Vatika Apt, Halar Rd, 396001; February 27
Roshan Noshir Chothia (76), wife of late Noshir, mother of Sanober and Jennifer and sister of Adi, Silloo and late Arni,
C, Ahura Apt, Agiary Mohalla, Mota Parsiwad, 396001;
March 7
DELHI
died
Fali Sam Nariman (95),
husband of late Bapsi and
father of Rohinton and
Anaheeta; February 21
Poona
died
Fili Faredoon Dastur (83), husband of Hilla, son of late Nergesh Faredoon Dastur, father of Minaz Manek Pagdiwalla and Zenobia Khushroo Anklesaria and brother of Zarine Rustom Gandhi, D-701, Jeejeebhoy Bldg, Lullanagar, 411040; February 13
Sammy Nader Engineer (57), son of Gool Nader Engineer and brother of late Jimmy and Jal, Room no 2, Pawasker Bldg, Kolekwadi, Lonavla, 410401; February 14
Sarosh Noshir Gorimar (81), husband of late Shirin, son of late Roda and late Noshir, father of Jasmine Aspi Kolah, Kashmira Faribourz Zaigar, Neville and late Sharukh and brother of late Dinyar, B/1, 301, Silver Est, NIBM Rd, Kondwa, 411048; February 28
• • •
PAKISTAN
Karachi
died
Sam Sanjana; February 29
Zarin Sam Mavalvala, wife of Sam and mother of Adil, Dilshad Rustom Boga and Kaizad; March 5
Dinshaw Jehangir Vakil, husband of late Bapsy, father of Jasmine Nauzer Ferozepurwalla and Shernaz Dhunjisha Ferozepurwalla and brother of late Sarosh, late Sam, late Hutokshi Minwalla, Nariman and Tehmi Patel; March 10
USA
Illinois
died
Hormaz Minoocher Vania (90), husband of Yasmin, son of Manijeh and Minoocher, father of Natalie Rusi Gandhi, Ivan and Rustomji and brother of Luke and Kamal Rohinton Tengra in Springfield; March 3
New Jersey
died
Rohinton (Rohi, Roy) Cama (89), husband of Mahrukh, father of Spenta Cama (Adam Schenck) and Cyrus and brother of Noshir and Framroze; March 4
• • •
Figures for Bombay
January 1-March 11, 2024
Marriages: 14
Parsi: 14
Interfaith: --
Males married out: --
Females married out: --
Deaths: 121
Consigned to dakhmas: 111
Males: 60, Females: 51
Cremated: 10
Males: 2, Females: 8
Compiled by Roxan A. Driver