Shyam S Baweja

Shyam Sundar Baweja passed peacefully at home on December 19th, 2023. Shyam was born on November 7, 1949, in Karol Bagh, New Delhi, India, the vibrant neighborhood that he held dear. He spent his first 31 years in India riding around his Vespa with friends, leading him to become a bit of an expert in quite a few areas of life. From his love of cricket (even illness couldn’t deter him from keeping track of match scores, outcomes, or MVPs), to his recommendations for the top food spots in Connaught place, Shyam was your go-to man. He was a banker by day, but also appreciated so many forms of art. He found a talent in acting and was cast in several plays with the Little Theater Group. He loved arts so much that he obtained a Masters degree in English, and throughout his life he never stopped reading and filling his homes with books - sometimes multiple copies - including his favorite, the Bhagavad Gita. But one of the most heartwarming and uplifting ways Shyam shared his appreciation was by sharing and crafting inspirational and thoughtful quotes or poems to his family, friends and anyone who crossed his path.

After he found his “Diamond,” Neelam, he moved with her to the United States with only $40 in each of their pockets, and built a life together that grew all his passions - business, career, philosophizing, but most importantly, his love for his family. He practiced what he preached and slowly built himself up to a self-made man, managing everything from Rickle’s hardware to Dunkin Donuts to Roy Rogers to gas stations until finally, his cherished convenience stores - especially Cottage Deli & Liquor in Chatham. Shyam became part of the fabric of every community - no one could resist his jovial personality. On top of that, he always made sure his daughters had every comfort possible, growing his $40 into a custom-built and beautiful home for his family - even with a tennis court to practice his other favorite sport. Although this will forever be his physical home, his love will carry on, always having a place in his family’s hearts.

Shyam had an incredibly strong will to achieve all of this, and was stubborn at times (most times), but his legacy is everything that he achieved with his enormously warm heart and wonderfully unique sense of humor, always making those around him smile. He was generous, brave, and incredibly hardworking. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences: theatre actor, banker, business owner, educator, religious follower, father of 3 girls - he could fix or problem solve through anything (having 3 girls will do that!).

Shyam loved watching movies in all languages, learning and talking about history, tasting fine wines, playing tennis, buying clothes and watches, gifting incredibly thoughtful pieces including commissioned paintings, giving his children and grandchildren nicknames, socializing with his friends, but mostly, loving his family in every way that he could. He touched the lives of many and his physical, joyous presence will be deeply missed by all.

Shyam is survived by his beautiful wife of 44 years, his diamond, Neelam, and three beloved daughters, Gunjan, Mukta and Shefali, grand-daughter Saina and his pal and buddy, son in-law Nalin.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of India Funeral Service 416 Bell Avenue Raritan NJ 908-725-1887.

Funeral service will take place on Friday December 22, 2023 between 1:00pm and 3:00pm at Franklin Memorial Park 1800 Route 27 North Brunswick NJ.

                                           “FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS”

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