Raj Jayesh Dave

Raj Jayesh Dave

July 4, 1986 - March 10, 2019

Just like the fireworks on the 4^th of July, Raj brightened our lives and brought vibrant color to it. He loved life and lived it fiercely. Raj loved to travel, eat the finest foods from around the world, and lived every moment to the fullest. He fearlessly shared his passion of music with crowds of people and with his best friends, who were part of the band he played in. Raj will always be remembered for whaling on his bass guitar while head-banging to the music he loved to create.

From an early age, he had the confidence to walk his own path. His mom’s fondest memories of him are reading to him as a baby in their rocking chair. She was amazed to see that Raj memorized The Little Red Caboose, a story about a choo-choo train that would never give up. Snuggly curled up underneath his blanket, Raj would often whisper, “I think I can, I think I can.” This early experience shaped Raj’s outlook on life, allowing him to believe that anything was possible.

Raj’s love of story-telling only continued to grow. His dad’s crafted original bedtime stories and would record them on a cassette tape so that Raj would always be able to hear his dad’s voice even when he was far away at work. Raj would always look forward to his dad’s bedtime stories, so much so that he would memorize them word for word.

Often, Raj had a devilishly funny sense of humor. Many times, he would have a mischievous gleam in his eyes as he would stealthily stalk his elder brother with cat-like reflexes. His brother remembers how he would suddenly poke him in the ribs, causing him to jump several feet into the air, annoying him to no end. Now, he longs for the days that his younger brother would cause mischief once more.

Looking back, Raj will be forever cherished for his giving spirit, his charismatic nature, and his ability to inspire others to truly make every moment count. Although Raj was quiet by nature, his actions always spoke volumes, leaving an impression on everyone around him. He will be deeply missed and will forever leave an indelible imprint upon all of our lives.