By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Nov 27, 2022: Salesian Father Joseph Chittattukalam died of heart attack November 27 at New Delhi airport. He was 82.
“With deep sorrow, I inform you that Fr. Joseph Chittattukalam went to his heavenly abode early this morning (27.11.2022). He died of a heart attack in the Delhi Airport. He was traveling to Kolkata,” says a message released to the Salesians in India by their Delhi provincial Father Davis Maniparamben.
Narrating the circumstances of the sudden death, New Delhi Salesian provincial secretary Father P D Varghese said, “Fr Chittattukalam was traveling to Kolkata for a meeting of his alumni of Don Bosco Liluah where he was rector and principal from 1979 to 1985.”
Father Varghese further says that Father Chittattukalam “had already boarded the flight to Kolkata when he collapsed and was rushed to the airport hospital where he was declared brought dead.”
Currently his body is kept in the mortuary of Holy Family Hospital, Okhla.
His funeral is scheduled at 2 pm on November 30.
Bursar of Don Bosco Park Circus Father John Puthiyedathuchalil said Father Chittattukalam had informed his people that that he would reach Kolkata’s Don Bosco Park Circus by noon to attend a group gathering of Don Bosco Liluah Past Pupils and return to New Delhi on November 28.
Subrata Ganguly, one of his grief stricken students and CEO of Church Art Kolkata, told Matters India, “I am shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of our dear Fr C.A. Joseph. As usual, I had arranged a car to pick him up from the airport.”
Father Chittattukalam was one of the first Salesians of Kolkata province to complete Journalism and Communication studies from Xavier Institute of Mass Communications Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1978.
He was also the coordinator of centenary celebration of the archdiocese of Calcutta in 1986 during the tenure of Jesuit Cardinal Lawrence Trevor Picachy.
In 1997, when New Delhi was carved out of Calcutta province Father Chittattukalam joined the new province and served as the rector in New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Lucknow.
Rev.Fr.C.A.Joseph was in daily touch with me.I miss him very very much..He was on a visit to Kolkata to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our 1972 batch of DBL Alumni on the 27th of Nov.but God has his own plans.May his soul rest inpeace.Amen.
Joe and Fr Chittattukalam were good friends. Joe was the first person who brought Masscomunication to Kolkata Donbosco catecatical center TENGRA. The place were we spent in the AC studio so many times.
I miss Joe every moment.
Respectful farewell to Father Joe. In Paradisum deducant te Angeli.
May the living God accept him in the heavenly abode. Heartfelt deepest condolence to the bereaved family.
Condolences and prayers RIP
Fr. C.A Joseph was a great soldier of Christ.He left his life as a true follower of Jesus christ by helping the poor and needy.Even if he left us to his eternal home,He still lives in our heart. Heart felt condolences to all his family members.& S.D.B Congregation.May his soul rest in peace.Thomas K Mani.
Life is unpredictable
May his soul rest in peace
May Fr Joseph Chittattukalam, our Salesian Brother now departed In God’s Loving Mercy RIP we pray.
Sincere Condolences to his Beloveds All now too Bereaveds specially his Salencians.
So sad, he had come to Marian Centre at KADUTHURUTHY, in last June for a short visit.
He looked healthy and happy then. So UNPREDICATABLE is our life.