Solomon Poritoshe Das

Our dearest Solomon Poritoshe Das passed away peacefully in his home in Burlingame, California early morning on Sunday, November 22nd from complications related to dementia, with which he had struggled over the past year.

Solomon was born in India and took great pride in serving as an officer in the Indian Navy, where he diligently worked in the hydrographic branch. He married his beloved Violet in 1966, and the couple settled in Bombay. A lifelong hip injury, sustained while on duty, cut short his naval career. He retired early and immigrated with Violet and his two boys Sherwin and Gavin to the United States in the early 1970s. In San Francisco, the couple started a new life, invested in the education of their sons, and created a community of lifelong friends, although Solomon never lost touch with his Navy mates. Solomon joined the accounting team of Matson Navigation Company, where he was a valued member of the company for some 30 years until retirement. Solomon was passionate about photography and faithfully chronicled life’s most cherished moments. He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to his family; his generosity to relatives, friends and colleagues; his curiosity about the world; and his ever-present positive attitude in spite of life’s challenges. These qualities live on in his children and in all those whom he touched.  He is survived by his son Sherwin, daughter-in-law Karina, son Gavin, grandchildren Oliver and Aleksandra, sister-in-law Cynthia and family, nephew Albert and family, his devoted caregiver Melba, and numerous relatives in India and around the world.

Solomon’s ashes will be interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California during a private family ceremony in December. 

A Virtual Celebration of Solomon’s Life with friends and family will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 7pm Pacific Time (Sunday, December 13th at 8:30am Indian Standard Time) via the following Zoom video conference link and meeting password:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81650118474

Meeting password: 445580

This memorial website has been created for family, friends and colleagues to remember Solomon and to provide a shared space for condolences, memories, photos and videos.