Rev. Cornelius A. Kanhai

Rev. Cornelius A. Kanhai - Peacefully took the road less travelled on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at the UW Hospital in Madison, WI. Cornelius was born in Syne Village, Trinidad, West Indies (W.I.) on November 3, 1937. Over the 74 years we were graced with his life, Cornelius resided in Trinidad and Grenada W.I., Canada and Wisconsin. He completed his primary education at Naparima College in Trinidad, W.I., completed seminary in Halifax, Nova Scotia, married his guardian angel Ruth Mahabir on May 26, 1964 in St. George's, Grenada, and took graduate courses at the UW Madison. Cornelius was a Presbyterian and United Methodist minister for 45 years, serving more than 25 parishes. He enjoyed vacationing with his wife and family, gardening, reading, writing as well as providing both spiritual and Mac advice, sharing his knowledge and genuinely caring for others. He will be remembered by many for the patience he practiced in the face of adversity and his faith in people and the world around him. Cornelius joins his late parents John and Hilda Kanhai, late sister Ermine Sabzali and late cousin Pearly Sirju; and is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ruth; daughters Nadia (Aurora, IL), Natasha (Ashraf) (San Francisco, CA), Tamara (William Jr.) (Aurora, IL) and Sonabai (Bennett) (McFarland, WI) as well as grandchildren Hanoch, Casimir, Nyssa, Zalika, Krishna, Myriah, Omar, Xi and Cristeen and siblings Cecilia (Sudbury, Canada), Ezekiel ("Zeke" Sudbury, Canada), Nahum (Sudbury, Canada), Evangaline ("Vangie" Penal, Trinidad), Joshua ("Crusoe" and Savitri of Port of Spain, Trinidad) and Moses (Cintra of Regina, Canada).

Memorial service to be held on Friday July 13, 2012 at Fitchburg Community Center - Oak room, 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 Doors to open at 1pm with the memorial service to begin at 1:30pm. Casual attired is acceptable.

A luncheon will be held immediately after the memorial service at the same facility.



Flowers and expressions of sympathy can be sent to the Kanhai family: Ruth Kanhai and Family, 5611 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711.