Manoharan’s Obituary Manoharan P. Kamaleson (Mano to some, Paul to others), age 55, a resident of Winfield, Illinois died on Monday, January 14th, 2019, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mano was born in Chennai (Madras), India on October 21st, 1963 to two deeply committed, believing parents. He readily answered Jesus invitation to “Follow Me,” and he lived his life filled with the Spirit.
He always gave of himself, to his family, his friends, colleagues and even to strangers near and far. From the age of 11, Mano grew up in Arcadia, California and attended public schools, then Azusa Pacific University for his undergraduate degree and attained his MBA at The Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management of Claremont Graduate University. Mano had a distinguished career in serving those in need through inclusive finance spanning nearly 30 years with numerous leadership roles in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States.
He was serving in Afghanistan as the CEO of the FirstMicrofinance Bank of Afghanistan. It’s been said, “He built community by providing community”. Mano was a beloved part of the community wherever he lived.
Mano and Nicole met in Pasadena, California and were married on December 21st, 1991. They started a life of service and adventure living and working all over the world. Nicole and Mano are blessed with three boys – Barclay (married to Bethany, née Squires), Cedric and Cade.
“Mano was a person of real and consistent courage, commitment, and connection. He is not only known for his effective leadership and operational management but also for his acceptance of others, radiant smile and infectious laughter. If there was one thing that he kept as his priority,” Nicole, his wife, states, “it was his profound commitment to his family.
Mano loved and deeply respected our sons and was greatly loved by them. He had an extraordinary connection so tailored to each of them through their own God-given talents, strengths and unique personal interests. To me, it was a tangible and marvelous display of how our Father’s love for his Son, Jesus, was lived out on earth”.
Touched by Mano, tributes began pouring in from friends and family all over the world. Some of what has been said about him and the impact of his life include the following: “We weren’t done yet, being husbands, and dads, and friends, growing & changing together… I still have all that we learned together, how I’ve changed because of his influence, and every other relationship he helped deepen”. “There was a gravitational pull toward Mano that was completely unselfish and others-focused.
He built community by providing community. He let community bridge and develop around him without making it about him”. “There are some who bring so great a light to the world that even after they are gone, their light remains.
I thank God for you sweet cousin! ” “I worked with Paul straight out of college at Lincoln Savings in Alhambra. We were both in their management trainee program, but for all intents and purposes, we were tellers and we had fun!
We knew our customers, and they knew us”. “…so many memories. Great friend!
Great brother! Great husband! Great Dad!
The world was a better place because you were in it”. “…it used to make me feel so good to make him laugh. He had a great laugh”.
Mano is survived by his wife, Nicole and three sons; father, Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Kamaleson; brother, SunderRaj Mark Kamaleson, M.D. (married to Sara); sister, Nirmala Ruth Loisel (married to Doug), and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his nephew, Jonathan Loisel, and his mother, Adela Kamaleson.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 31st from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton, Illinois. Family and friends will meet for the Home Going service at 11:30 am on Friday, February 1st at Wellspring Alliance Church in Wheaton, Illinois. A light reception will be held immediately following at the church.
If you so choose, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed HERE for a new Social Enterprise Fund being raised in Mano’s name (MPK) – 501c3 status pending. This fund will support entrepreneurial initiatives of Bethel Agricultural Fellowship, founded by Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Samuel T. Kamaleson in Danishpet, India.
Mano served on the Board of Bethel for over four years. Family and friends may sign a guest book HERE. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.
If you would like to share any personal photos of Mano, they can be uploaded HERE . We may use these at the Home Going service at the church.
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