Page 15 - Microsoft Word - My story of Pathyil Kalluvelil as told by Joseph Pathyil

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3. 3. PLACHERIL THOMMY AND KUNJACHU

. Thommy (born in 1880), was the serious and ponderous eldest son. He went to St.
Ephraim’s High School, Mannanam, run by the Carmelite Fathers. High School
education was a rarity during those times. Thommy did not complete his High School,
but was fluent in English and had some of the most influential people of the State as his
friends, since they had been contemporaries in School.

It was several years later, after the birth of Luka and others, that Thommy shifted to
Neendoor. Kochokan bought Placheril ancestral house and Thommy began his life as
scion of the family. He was known as Thommy Pathyil-Placheril. Kochokan owned
properties - lands and fields- in both Neendoor and Kaipuzha. His sons had to supervise
and help in all aspects of the cultivation. Thommy had some business sense. He tended
the powerful oil-driven water pump to syphon water out of the fields into the canals. This
was known as Ponnengine (the golden engine) which he tended with great care.
Subsequently he inherited the engine.

Thommy, while being an agriculturist and businessman, was also an ardent and devout
Catholic. His life revolved around the Neendoor Church, especially after the untimely
death of his wife. In 1933 in honour of the institution of the Blessed Eucharist (Jubilee of
the Blessed Sacrament) Thommy commissioned the mural paintings above the altar of the
Neendoor church. Thommy was the patriarch of the family after the death of Kochokan.
His brothers and their children regarded him with great respect and consideration. In the
forties, when he had to undergo a gall bladder operation in Thiruvalla, the whole clan
prayed and was concerned until his recovery. Thommy moved to a house near the
Neendoor Church to facilitate his devotions. The family members would visit him
regularly. For some reason all would speak in whispers in his presence. He himself would
speak in a grave, low voice to all. He had goodies - usually dried raisins - for the
children, and was always interested in the welfare of all. His favorites, after his own
children, were his godsons, Luka Kalluvelil, in particular. When Luka borrowed money
from him for a business venture to be done jointly with Kurian, and when the business
floundered, Thommy was devastated, not only by the loss of money, but by what he felt
was a betrayal of trust. The three brothers could spend hours together, talking, reading, or
just being in the same room. They were humorously known as The Trinity. Towards the
end of Thommy’s life, there were tensions between the eldest and the youngest brothers
because of the involvements of their children. However, in the final month preceding his
deaths, there was reconciliation. Thommy died on April 14, 1961.

Thommy had two sons and three daughters. Kurian studied in Kidangore, under the
tutelage of his uncle, and later in Trissur. Kurian was an adventurous person all his life.
He dared to do things that others would only imagine. . He undertook a long expedition
of India on his own at an early age. His travel bug remained with him all his life. At the
age of 83, in 1983(Kurian was born on January 1, 1900), he accompanied a pilgrimage to
Europe and the Holy Land. He was also instrumental in founding a Senior Citizens
Society for the diocese of Kottayam. In order to start chapters for the golden agers Kurian
traveled ceaselessly all over the diocese by bus and train, and hardly ever complained of

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