Mahesh R. Patel, 88, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away on January 7, 2025, surrounded by family.

He was born to parents, Rambhai and Dhuliben Patel, on July 23, 1936, in Popatvav, Gujarat, India, and predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Umbaben, Somabhai, Fulabhai, and Shantaben.

Mahesh was the first person in his small village to have the opportunity to go to college, where he studied mechanical engineering.

He married Sudha, the love of his life, in 1963, and together they experienced the joys and challenges of life over 62 years. After living in Gujarat for one year following their marriage, Mahesh and Sudha moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where Sudha was born and raised. Their three children were all born in Nairobi. Upon securing an opportunity to emigrate to the United States, Mahesh arrived first to Detroit, Mich., and was soon followed by Sudha and their children then aged four, three, and one years old. Mahesh’s engineering degree from India was not recognized in the U.S., so he worked on an assembly line during the day to provide for his family and went back to school in the evening first to get his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and then his master’s in Business Administration.

Mahesh never forgot his humble roots and was guided by his core values that included kindness, generosity, honesty, and integrity. He always put his family first and yet also always made the time to help others. He was a pillar of strength for his immediate family, extended family all over the world, and the local community. He was always available to listen, support, and offer guidance. He was a gentle spirit full of kindness for others.

He is survived by Sudha and their three children, Rajal, Seema and son-in-law Lee, and Nimesh and daughter-in-law Evelyn; and grandchildren, Terin, Shyar, Avani, Kalyan and Nikash.

His legacy will forever live on through the countless lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the example he set. Though we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived. Thank you for being the best husband and father any of us could have asked for. We love you, we miss you, and we will continue to work to make you proud.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025. The Hindu ceremony will be for immediate family only and the public visitation will follow at 11 a.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville. We will also host a celebration of life at a future date.

Given that he fought a lengthy battle with multiple systems atrophy, the family requests donations in support of this condition to help others who are afflicted and their families in lieu of sending flowers. Examples include Mission MSA.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Patel family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.