Father Tomy Thekkel, aged 58 and a priest for 29 years in the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, died of Kidney failure at 11:45 pm on 10^th November 2022 at Kozhuvanal Kerala in his home. He was undergoing dialysis and treatment for kidney related issues. He was the Parish Priest of St. Francis De Sales Church Medziphema.

Fr Tomy Thekkel born at Kozhuvanal, Kottayam, Kerala on 1^st June 1964, as the second child of Late Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Mariamma. He hails from the Parish of St. John Nepuntiance Church, Kozhuvanal, Kottayam, from the Diocese of Palai. He joined the S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Ettumanoor, Kerala on 18^th June, 1981. Then he was promoted to Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and after the completion of his novitiate, he made his First Profession on 15^th December 1985. Later, he pursued his philosophical studies at Suvidya College, Bangalore from 1986 to 1989. Before he joined Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune for his theological studies in 1990, he did one year of regency at SFS Church, Kangpokpi Manipur from 1989 - 1990. He made his perpetual profession on 01^st December 1992 at Fransalianum, Pune. Later he was ordained deacon on 13^th February 1993 at S.F.S. Church, Shaanwadi, Pune by Rt. Rev. Valerian D’Souza, the Bishop of Pune.  After the completion of his theological studies, he was ordained Priest on 11^th October 1993 at his home Parish St. John Nepuntiance Church, Kozhuvanal by Rt. Rev. Joseph Pallickaparampil, Bishop of Palai.  Father Tomy Thekkel’s assignments were the following;

• 1993 – 1996: Asst. Priest, SFS Church, Tening, Nagaland
• 1996 – 1997: Procurator, SFS Seminary, Thamarassery, Kerala
• 1997 – 1999: Parish Priest and Principal, SFS Church and SFS School, Narengi, Assam
• 1999 – 2000: Parish Priest, SFS Church, Tening, Nagaland
• 2001 – 2002: Vic-Rector, SFS Seminary, Medziphema, Nagaland
• 2003 – 2005: Principal, Fransalian School, Jonai, Assam
• 2005 – 2009: Parish Priest, SFS Church, Jonai, Assam
• 2009- 2013, Parish Priest, SFS church Sindukpathar
• 2013-2015: MSW Assam Don Bosco University (Study)
• 2015-2021: Parish Priest- Christ King Church, Gogamukh
• 2017-2021: Principal Christ King School, Gogamukh
• 2021-2022: Parish Priest SFS Church, Medziphema

Fr Tomy was admitted in the CIHSR - Referral Hospital Dimapur on 23^rd June 2022 due to low haemoglobin level and high level of blood urea, sugar and serum creatinine. Hence he was administered blood and started undergoing dialysis. He was responding well to the dialysis and medication, and was able to bring down his creatine level to some great extent. On 30^th June he was discharged from CIHSR - Referral Hospital Dimapur and was back to the Parish Community, Medziphema. He was undergoing frequent dialysis often from CIHSR Dimapur. For better care and treatment, he was taken to Kerala on 17 August 2022 accompanied by Sir Pius from Medziphema. He underwent dialysis Fistula surgery at Lisie Hospital Ernakulam on 27^th Sept 2022 and was doing frequent dialysis from Marian Hospital Pala. He had done his dialysis on 10^th November and came back home. After the dinner, he went to bed as usual and by 11:30 pm he experienced breathlessness and informed his brother and few minutes later he collapsed. They rushed him to the hospital and by the time he breathed his last around at 11: 45 pm on 10^th November 2022.

 Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.