RATHNAM, David Vallipuram. December 30, 1938 – March 21, 2014. David went to be with the Lord at the age of 75 following complications from a stroke. David was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Through his twenties he traveled extensively on the Ebenezer Gospel Ship providing the gospel message and aid to third world countries. He immigrated to North Vancouver, Canada in 1969 and was married to Gloria in 1970. They had three children, Esther, John and Paul. As a young man, David accepted the Lord in a street meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. That experience, combined with David’s time on the Ebenezer, had a profound impact on his life leading him to a life of serving others. David never turned back from following the Lord and that faithfulness allowed him nearly fifty years in the ministry. David always proclaimed that Christianity was not a religion it was a way of life. David’s ministry in Canada started in Vancouver where he preached fervently and joined Pastor Birch at St. Margaret’s Church in the 1970s. Meeting Pastor Birch early each morning to pray, David had many wonderful experiences at St. Margaret’s Church. David was the founder of New Hope Christian Centre Society and was used of the Lord to plant many churches and help those in need. Mentorship was among David’s greatest ministries and he helped many individuals find their calling by helping them through challenging times and providing them the encouragement to find their way. David was recognized throughout his life including a Doctorate in Humanities and recognition as a Doctor in Divinity. David was proud of his family and he loved them each dearly. David was incredibly gifted with his hands and was known to repair anything that was in need of such services. David particularly enjoyed teaching his sons the ins and outs of rebuilding cars. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Vallipuram and Rose Kanmany, three brothers, Jesuratnam (Priscilla), Thurairatnam, Ariaratnam. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Gloria Dale Rathnam, his three children, Esther Ella Buschau (William), Samuel “John” Rathnam (Theresia), Paul James Rathnam (Denise), five precious granddaughters, Anna, Savana, Sydney, Summer and Ella to whom he loved to add the suffix “Darling” when calling their names, his sister Grace Satkunanayagy, brother-in-law, Leslie Vraspillai, sister-in-laws, Lily Thurairatnam, Jessie Ariaratnam, Cheryl McPhie, Lynne Chapman (Garry), many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family in Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, Germany, the United States and throughout Canada. Viewing will occur on Friday, March 28th from 10:00am to noon at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC followed by a graveside service at North Vancouver Cemetery, Lillooet Road, North Vancouver, BC. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, March 30th from 2:00-4:00pm at New Hope Christian Centre in Garden Park Towers – North Entrance, 2825 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, B.C. Flowers kindly accepted at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at:
www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com Woodlawn Funeral Home 604-853-2643