Purna Nanda Saikia ascended to Heaven at 10:10 AM July 12, 2014. Born April 1, 1925, in Assam, India, Purna Nanda grew up the eldest son of 10 children, a gifted child filled with joy and generosity, loved deeply by his parents and siblings. At 22, Purna traveled to Chicago on an esteemed government engineering scholarship. There, he met his wife and partner for life, Charlotte (Barnett) Saikia. They married in 1954, and together, created a family of 9 children, who love each other as much as they love them. Purna was blessed with a mind of great intelligence and a heart of boundless kindness. He enjoyed an illustrious career in mechanical engineering, including 8 years as Chief Engineer at ACCO and finally retiring as Chief Engineer at Harvey Bradley Engineering in 2002. He spent his years in retirement creating works of art, celebrating his joy in the life he saw all around him. Most of all, he lived his life as a model of greatness as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, and hero to us all. Purna joins his parents and parents-in-law, 6 siblings, and his beloved daughter, Jane Keller, in Heaven. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Charlotte Ann; 3 surviving siblings; his sister and brother-in-law Sara and Ralph Richardson; and his children on earth and their spouses: Anne and Don Collier, Philip and Patty Saikia, Rebecca and Matt Wilson, Paul and Kandi Saikia, Mark Keller, Mary and Daryl Williams, Sara and Jason Stabley, Ellen and William Hays, and David Saikia. Also surviving with his light in their souls are his 16 grandchildren and 3 grandchildren of the heart, 3 great-grandchildren, many devoted friends, and a countless number of animals who have known his true heart. Purna Nanda was a gift from God, who shared his light and love with all those lucky enough to know him, from his family members to those who only met him for a moment. We are blessed to have had him in our lives and rejoice at his reunion with his loved ones who have passed before him. As per his request and his Hindu belief, his body was cremated and a private family celebration has been held. All who knew Purna knew his love for all creatures no matter how large or small, and his passion for rescuing, loving, and admiring all animals on earth.

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on July 24, 2014