Basil Santram

WORCESTER – Basil Santram, 82, of Worcester, died Thursday, November 7, 2019 at St. Vincent Hospital after being stricken ill at home. 

He leaves his wife of 59 years, Chandramatte (Persaud) Santram; eight children, Suruj Goordial of Worcester, Nalini Goordial and her partner James Henning of Orange, MA, Vado and his wife Robin Santram of Worcester, Shivanie and her husband Edward Staples of Pomfret Ctr, CT, Khristram Santram of Worcester, Avaram and his wife Ranushma Santram of Worcester, Melizza and her husband Craig Chernov of Hardwick, MA, and Michelle Persaud of New York.  He also leaves a brother, Rishi Prashad of Worcester, four sisters, Dee Prashad of Holden, Olga Ramchand of Worcester, Pamela Harris of California, and Joyce Gedraitis of Holden; eight grandchildren, Fred, Monita, Nate, Josh, Jake, Nick, Victoria, and Ethan; six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.  He was born in La Bonne Intention, Guyana, South America, son of Jagnandan and Boodnie (Maraj) Prashad, and has lived in Massachusetts since 1982.  He previously lived in New York City.   

Basil was a residential counselor at a group home.  He previously worked as a ship builder in NYC.  He was also an accountant and a diesel mechanic. 

Basil was known for his love of life and laughter.  He loved books and devoured them as he devoured sweets.  He loved music, dancing, cooking, Cadbury bars, cookies, apple pie and ice cream. He also loved (and perhaps was best known for his love of) Johnny Walker Black, ghost pepper chili, and his ugly wool hat.  He loved tending to his garden where he grew the Johnnie Walker Black.

He was irreverent, thumbing his nose at religion.      

His laughter was contagious, he was addicted to joy.  He adored his family and his kids were his wealth. He was a fighter, surviving cancer for 32 years and gave us all those extra years with him.

He loved to tell stories about growing up on the sugar cane plantation in British Guiana.

He supported his sisters even as a young lad, and took wonderful care of them when they were growing up.

He danced through life even though the road was always rough.

He loved proverbs: So here's one for you: The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.

Basil’s Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at the Ellen Rogers Kennedy Chapel at Rural Cemetery, 180 Grove St, Worcester.  Calling hours are Monday, November 11, from 4 – 7:00 pm at Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (https://foodbank.org/donate/donate-funds/).