Marcel Coilparampil, 81, died peacefully on December 17, 2017, in his home in Trumbull, CT after a long battle with cancer.  Marcel hailed from Kerala, India.  He lived in New York and New Jersey for many years before moving to Connecticut.  He is survived by: his devoted wife, Mary Jane; his son, Baiju; his daughter, Meera; his son-in-law, Francis Valiyaveetil; loving grandchildren, Lily, Jacob, Gitanjali, and Amita; his siblings Achamma Chandersekaran and Chinamma Mahieu; many nieces and nephews.

He was the youngest of eight children.  His siblings are the late Reverend Fr. Joseph Kunju (Duquesne, PA); the late Mariamma Joseph (New Delhi, India); the late Heather Shiv Kumar (Findlay, OH); the late Thankachen Coilparampil (Arthunkal, Kerala); the late Sister Joan Amelianus, OFM (Trivandrum, Kerala); and his surviving siblings Achamma (Vienna, VA), Chinamma (McLean, VA). 

Marcel was instrumental in founding several Indian organizations in the New York and New Jersey communities.  As part of this, he founded an Indian musical troupe, Swapna Sangeet, that brought the music of his beloved ancestral home to his new home in the US.  He was acknowledged by the Indian Kerala community as, “The man who kindled the flame of divine music for us in this country.”

Marcel retired from the New York State Department of Lottery.  He believed strongly in the Lottery’s mission of using proceeds to fund education throughout the state.

In his retirement years he pursued his love of acting and music.  He appeared in several TV shows and feature films including: 30 Rock, Royal Pains, Pan Am, The Dictator, Newsroom, My Friend Vijay, Human Trust, and Future Folks.

Marcel was a regular contributor to several philanthropic causes.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the charities that was close to his heart, St. Jude’s Shrine, SWIM Across the Sound or St. Theresa Organ Fund.

Viewing:  December 29, 2017 from 4PM to 8pm at Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, 4 Gorham Place, Trumbull, CT. 

Funeral Mass:  December 30, 2017 at 11AM at St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull, CT.