WILMINGTON — Shri Sham Sunder Chhokra of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away on March 25, 2024, just 1 month shy of his 95th Birthday.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirmati Radha Rani.
He is survived by a daughter, Reetu Anand (Raj) of Ludhiana (Punjab, India) and sons, Sunil Arora (Kavita) of Wilmington (NC) and Sudhir Arora (Vandana) of Amritsar (Punjab, India), his grandchildren, 3 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and 3 great grandchildren. He loved all his family members deeply.
He was born in Amritsar (Punjab, India) and witnessed India gain independence from Great Britain in 1947 and sadly being partitioned at the same time. With his brothers, he was engaged in the family business to supply clothing fabrics to vendors in Punjab and neighboring states on behalf of the Federal Government. His business travels took him to Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and Ladakh, sometimes in the thick of heavy snow and wintery weather. He retired after 50 years’ service and came to Wilmington in 2008. He gave generous donations to charitable organizations and those in need while he was in India.
He lived in his 3rd floor condo in Mayfaire, overlooking Main Street. A very pious, spiritual, and regimented man, he prayed for 2 hours daily and chanted hymns while sitting on the floor in a lotus position. He was hugely popular in the neighborhood, frequently seen enjoying his jaunts up and down Main Street. He had a very kind and unassuming personality, always smiling and initiating easy conversations with complete strangers. Sometimes, he invited people he had just met to his condo for tea and Indian snacks and cookies. He was blessed with great health and possessed exceptional stamina, walking from his condo all the way to Eastwood Road and back (a 2-mile round-trip) almost daily. When he lived on his own in India, he had a cook who fixed his meals. In Wilmington, to his great credit, he learned over time to cook quite memorable Indian meals from scratch. Friends and family members dropped in regularly, often bringing cooked food and enjoyed eating together with him.
Unfortunately, he was afflicted by advancing age and health issues in recent years which he bravely combated until the very end. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 in his memory by clicking here.
Please leave memories and condolences for his family here.
