Senthil Kathiresan strived to touch those who needed a helping hand.
He volunteered for such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Northland Public Library, Bike Pittsburgh and in the library of Christ Church at Grove Farm, said his wife, Vallikun Kathiresan.
Senthil Kathiresan of Ohio Township died from complications of a heart attack on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, in UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland. He was 42.
His wife said that he was an employee of UPMC, specializing in finance.
“He used his financial skills in preparing proposals for grants to benefit the local Habitat for Humanity Group,” said his wife, a software engineer, whom he married in 1995.
Mr. Kathiresan liked to keep active.
“Senthil was an excellent bicyclist, who recently participated in a 150-mile bike ride to benefit multiple sclerosis,” she said.
He was also involved with BikePGH helping to restore bicycles that were donated and passed on to families that could not afford to buy bicycles for their children.
Born in Tirupattur, India, and raised in McCandless, Senthil Kathiresan was one of three children in the family of Meenakshi and Muthiah Kathiresan.
The family arrived in the United States in 1980, when Mr. Kathiresan's father enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his doctorate in engineering.
Mr. Kathiresan graduated from North Allegheny High School in 1987 and received his degree from Penn State University in 1993 and joined UPMC.
Mr. Kathiresan was also active with the Chinmaya Mission in Pittsburgh, a group of individuals whose mission is to enable spiritual growth and happiness, helping its members become positive contributors to society.
In addition to his wife, Vallikum, Mr. Kathiresan is survived by a daughter, Chintha, at home; a brother, Sekar Kathiresan of Boston, a sister, Davi Chandrasekarnan of Philadelphia and his parents.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, in the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home Inc., Ross.
Jerry Vondas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7823 or jvondas@tribweb.com.
