Obituary of Rajnikant L Turakhia

Rajnikant Turakhia, age 77, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2020, at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. Born in Vinchhiya, India, he was raised in Mumbai, before coming to the United States to attend college in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1962.  Throughout his years in college, graduate school, and his first job, he moved around the US before calling New Jersey home in 1970. Rajnikant received a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State in 1965, he then received his Master’s in Chemical Engineering with honors in 1967 from the University of Missouri.  As his first job, he was employed as a Chemical Engineer with Good Year in Akron, Ohio and even had a few patents under his name.  Rajnikant realized he wanted to be more of a business owner and opened up Raj Travel Service in New York City in 1970.  He owned and operated multiple travel agencies for almost 40 years, before deciding to work within other agencies prior to his retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, crossword puzzles, watching sports and cooking, especially Mexican food.  His greatest joy was entertaining and spending time with his family and friends. Survived by his loving wife Kokila; children Bindul and his wife Claire and Keval; grandchildren Aanika and Eva; 6 siblings Indira Shah, Pravin Turakhia, Vanlata Parekh, Ashok Turakhia, Tarlika Turakhia, and Atul Turakhia. A private service will be live-streamed on Friday, April 10, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at Punarjanm Funeral Services.