Obituary of Mariaswamy "Sam" Gabriel

Mariaswamy “Sam” Gabriel, 94, of Hyattsville, MD, died peacefully in his home on March 4, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving wife and devoted daughters when he passed. He was born in Vettavalam, India, the second of 11 children to Gabriel and Teresa.

He was always very serious about his studies. He was so studious that he skipped the second grade. He studied at Immaculate Heart of St. Mary School in Vettavalam until the seventh grade. For the eighth grade, he attended St. Ann’s Higher Secondary Catholic Boarding School in Tindivanam, where he completed one year of carpentry. At the age of 16, he completed two years of teacher’s training in Gudalur. After teacher’s training, he joined his parents in Pavithiram. Soon after, it came to his attention Vettavalam was in need of teachers. His future father-in-law, who was also a teacher in Vettavalam, recommended him to the parish priest for a teacher’s position. However, his father said that he could only go to Vettavalam if his older brother, Abel, could have his teaching position transferred to Vettavalam. It was agreed and he came to Vettavalam with his older brother and mother. He taught sixth and seventh grade for one month, after which he saw an advertisement in a newspaper written in English for the Royal Indian Air Force recruitment. Without telling his parents, he applied and joined the Air Force in 1949. It should be noted that only he and the parish priest in Vettavalam could read English at that time. The parish priest was also the first to receive a college degree in the town, while Mariaswamy was the second.

After serving in the Royal Indian Air Force, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Panjab University in 1957. At a young age, he understood that lack of education and poverty were agonizingly connected. This made him want to do more for the poor and for himself. He never forgot about the poor and the uneducated in India.

On October 17, 1958, he married Susairegina.This marriage would last 65 years, producing five daughters,11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. “Regi”, as he would affectionately call her, was the epitome of a devoted and loving wife. She supported him in all his endeavors and dreams.

He graduated with his Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from Agra University in 1961 and was admitted to the Bar Council of Madras in 1962. In 1963, he joined the Indian Army, where he became a commissioned officer (Captain).

He immigrated to the United States in 1970 and worked for the Archdiocese of Washington and The Washington Post. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Federal City College in 1977. He retired from The Washington Post in 1996, after working there for 25 years.

During his time in the Royal Indian Air Force, he was fortunate enough to acquire six acres of land in Vettavalam. It had always been his dream to somehow help educate the poor. Being a man of great faith, he had many priest friends in the Jesuit community. Many years later, he expressed to them his desire to bring a University to his hometown and told them how it would change lives in that area. He suggested they build a University on the land he previously acquired. After many years of talks and planning, he was the impetus that led to the formation of Loyola College in Vettavalam in 2009.

He established a Mariaswamy Gabriel Loyola College Scholarship. The Scholarship benefits two students, one for Ex-Servicemen’s children and the other for needy children regardless of their religious affiliations. This Scholarship is in perpetuity.

Additional acts of charity include the following:

• St. Joseph Mountain Church
  • Brought electricity to the church
  • Built two rooms and installed a water tank
  • Together with his brother, Jesudoss and sister, Louise Mary, built steps on the mountain to the church
• Immaculate Heart of St. Mary Church (Vettavalam Parish Church)
  • Built a new bell tower
  • Together with his brother, Jesudoss and sister, Lousie Mary, brought electricity to the church and church pews
• He founded the Ex-Servicemen Association in Vettavalam and built an establishment in Vettavalam for Ex-servicemen to hold meetings and events.

God blessed him with five daughters. Five daughters, whom he loved and supported in all their professional aspirations. Five daughters, who in turn, loved their father very much. He would say that every child’s birth marked an important event in his life and that something good happened to him as a result of each of their births. His daughters were his pride and joy.

He was a Tamil scholar, who had a deep love for the language and its origins. He wrote Tamil poetry and songs. He wrote lullabies for his oldest daughter and poems and songs for his siblings.

The lullabies are a family treasure and have been passed down from generation to generation. They have been sung to his great-grandchildren and even extended Gabriel family members in India.

He was a simple, humble man who did not hesitate to give to anyone in need and yet asked for nothing in return. He was called to change lives and create opportunities for people less fortunate. He lived a very joyful and pious life. Over the years, he opened his home to countless priests from India and abroad. He never knew strangers, only friends. His guiding principle in life was to always be of service to others.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gabriel and Teresa; brothers, Abel, Periyanayagam, Anthoniswamy, Lucas, Boniface, Louis, Linus; sisters, Philomena and Louise Mary, and is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Susairegina; his loving daughters, Mary (Simon), Caroline (Satish), Punitha (Keith), Ann (Ramesh), Francisca (Dorian), Kristen (Ian); grandchildren, Justin, Jessica (Neal), Melissa, Dylan, Lucas, Nicholas, Priya, Jaya, Rohan, Maxim, Marcos, Jacob, Sameera, Mila; great grandchildren, Jeevan and Leela; brother, Jesudoss (late - Marie Josephine); sister-in-law, Sirumani Gabriel (late-Anthoniswamy) and a host of loving nieces, nephews, brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, family and friends.

Repast to follow burial

Knights of Columbus, Emerald Room

9707 Rosensteel Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910