SUJAN SHANMUGANANTHAN 1984 — 2026 • SUJAN SHANMUGANANTHAN 1984 — 2026 • SUJAN SHANMUGANANTHAN 1984 — 2026 •
His Story
On the afternoon of 18 May 1984, at 1:30 pm, a beautiful little boy entered the world. Three excited older sisters had been waiting patiently to meet their baby brother, and from the very first moment they laid eyes on him, he was surrounded by love. He was the youngest of four children, the only son and quickly became the little prince of the family.
His early years were filled with love, laughter and just the right amount of mischief. He spent much of his time in his father’s arms and, as he grew older, became Amma’s little companion, always wanting to be by her side. Together they faced many changes, including moving to the UK, where life wasn’t always easy. Through it all, Vijay’s smile and playful spirit brought comfort during the most difficult times.
Even as a little boy, Vijay showed a kindness and maturity beyond his years. At just eight years old, he promised his mum, “Amma, when I grow up, I’ll come and take you home.” On another occasion, while visiting the temple together, he looked at her and said, “You are my God, Amma.” They were simple words, but they became treasured memories that his family would never forget.
As he grew, so did his curiosity. He loved learning and had a natural talent for mathematics, Tamil and science. Outside the classroom he enjoyed karate, violin and keyboard, always eager to discover something new.
Even then, the qualities that would define the rest of his life were already beginning to shine through. A gentle heart, a curious mind and a kindness that stayed with him for the rest of his life.
As Vijay grew into his teenage years, the curious little boy everyone loved became a confident young man with an adventurous spirit and an infectious enthusiasm for life. He had a natural ability to bring people together and was often the person everyone turned to when the weekend arrived. If there wasn’t already a plan, Vijay would soon come up with one.
Music became one of his greatest passions during these years. He started creating his own mixtapes and remixes, eventually becoming known amongst his friends for his DJing. Friends still laugh that it all began because a girl he liked once said DJs were cool. Typical Vijay. Once something caught his interest, he threw himself into it wholeheartedly, turning a simple idea into a lifelong passion.
His younger years were filled with laughter, adventure and unforgettable memories. Whether it was spending weekends exploring London with friends, organising parties, singing at the back of the bus or heading off on spontaneous adventures, Vijay embraced every opportunity to enjoy life. He never worried about what other people thought and had a way of making everyone around him smile.
Even then, the qualities that would define the rest of his life were already taking shape. He was adventurous, creative and full of ideas. Most of all, he believed life was meant to be shared. Bringing people together, creating experiences and making memories would become the thread that ran through every chapter of his life.
Meeting Madhura in 2017 marked the beginning of one of the happiest chapters of Vijay’s life. Introduced through a dating app, what began as a simple conversation quickly grew into something much more. Their first date at Tenpin, followed by dinner in Wembley, was the start of a relationship built on love, laughter and a shared sense of adventure.
As their relationship grew, so did their dreams for the future. Just months later, Madhura became part of Vijay’s close-knit family and him vice versa, and on 10 February 2018 they began living together. Although she had planned to move away, she knew she had found the person she wanted to spend her life with.
On 17 August 2018, Vijay and Madhura were married at Ealing Amman Temple, celebrating the beginning of a life they would build together. Their marriage was one of partnership in every sense, sharing not only a home and a family but also supporting one another through life’s ambitions. Together they later built their brilliant business, working side by side and sharing the responsibilities, challenges and dreams that came with it.
At the heart of their relationship was a shared love of creating memories. Whether travelling together, exploring somewhere new or simply making the most of an ordinary day, Vijay believed that life’s greatest moments were the ones experienced together.
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Shortly after their wedding, Vijay and Madhura discovered they were expecting their first child. The news filled them with excitement and throughout the pregnancy Vijay looked after Madhura with so much love and care.
When Veera was born, fatherhood became one of the greatest joys of Vijay’s life. Having lost his own father at a young age, he understood just how precious those moments were. It became so important to him that his own children would have the childhood he never had. A childhood filled with love, adventure and the comfort of knowing their dad would always be there beside them.
As their family grew with the arrival of Aarvi during the Covid years and later Ahana in 2022, so did Vijay’s love for being a father. He wanted his children to experience the world from a young age, believing that every trip, every day out and every new experience would help them grow with confidence and curiosity.
Even after a long day, he would often say, “Let’s go somewhere. Let’s do something. Let’s make memories.” Whether it was travelling across Europe or spending the day somewhere closer to home, he was always looking for the next adventure. To Vijay, the greatest gift he could give his children wasn’t something that could be bought. It was the memories they would create together.
Vijay believed in working hard, making his own opportunities and building a life through determination. From a young age, he was never afraid to work, taking on different roles including DJing. Every experience helped shape his confidence, communication skills and strong work ethic, laying the foundations for the career that followed.
As his career developed, Vijay found his place within healthcare recruitment. He spent over ten years at HCL Nursing, where he built valuable experience and, more importantly, lasting relationships with nurses, healthcare organisations and clients. His ability to connect with people, earn their trust and genuinely care about those around him became one of his greatest strengths.
He later joined Positive Healthcare, progressing into a management role within nursing recruitment. As his responsibilities grew, so did his ambition. Rather than settling, Vijay continued looking ahead, always driven by the desire to learn, grow and create something of his own.
That ambition eventually led to the creation of AV Cares, where he combined years of experience with the relationships he had built throughout his career. It was more than starting a business. It was the opportunity to create a service founded on trust, compassion and genuine care for both clients and healthcare professionals. Many of the relationships he had built over the years continued alongside him, a reflection of the respect and confidence he had earned.
His final professional chapter saw him join The Bridge.Guru as Business Development Manager, continuing to do what came naturally to him: building relationships, creating opportunities and helping people move forward.
Throughout every stage of his career, Vijay remained hardworking, independent and ambitious. He built more than a successful career. He built friendships, earned respect and created opportunities for others. His professional legacy is one of determination, integrity and a genuine commitment to the people whose lives he touched.
For Vijay, life was never about standing still. He believed it was something to be experienced, explored and enjoyed, always finding excitement in the next adventure or opportunity to create a memory.
Music was a constant throughout his life. As one of A.R. Rahman’s biggest fans, he never missed the chance to see him perform live. Whether it was playing music at home, singing along in the car or stepping behind the DJ decks at a family celebration, music had a way of bringing people together, and Vijay loved being the one to make that happen.
His love of films was just as strong. A trip to the cinema was never just about watching a movie. It was an experience. With an unlimited Cineworld membership that was well and truly put to good use, he was always looking forward to the next release on the big screen.
That same enthusiasm carried into everything else he enjoyed. Skiing became one of his favourite adventures, cooking was another way of bringing people together and technology was something he embraced long before everyone else. He was always the first in the family to buy the latest iPhone, unknowingly starting the tradition of passing his previous phone down to the next family member. And, of course, no outfit ever quite felt complete without a pair of sunglasses.
More than any individual hobby, what truly defined Vijay was his love of creating experiences. Whether it was organising a family day out, planning a road trip, trying somewhere new or simply finding an excuse to gather the people he loved, he believed the best memories didn’t happen by chance. They were created. That passion for living in the moment and making every opportunity count became one of the greatest gifts he left behind.
His Final Chapter
Vijay’s final chapter was never one that anyone expected to arrive so soon.
Life was still very much in motion. There were plans being made, places still to explore and experiences still waiting to be had. There were more films to discover and old favourites to watch again, more music to be played far too loudly, songs to be sung and plenty more reasons to dance.
At the heart of those plans was his family. Watching his children grow, discovering who they would become and giving them every opportunity to experience the world remained one of the most important parts of his life. There was still so much he wanted to show them and so much life he wanted to experience alongside them.
On 14 August 2026, Vijay’s life came to an unexpected end at just 42 years old.
Far earlier than anyone could have imagined, there was so much still to be lived. But his story does not end with that day. It continues through his children, through the people whose lives he shaped and through the memories, lessons, laughter and stories that remain.
Perhaps that is why these pages exist. So that the life he lived, the memories he created and all the different parts of the man he was can continue to be discovered for generations to come.
Vijay’s One-Liners
Through Our Eyes
Vijay was a husband who filled life with love, adventure and unforgettable memories. He had a way of making even the simplest days feel special, always looking for an excuse to go somewhere, try something new or create another memory together.
He showed his love through his actions. Whether it was remembering birthdays and anniversaries or caring for Madhura throughout her pregnancy, he always found thoughtful ways to make the people he loved feel supported. Seeing his family happy brought him the greatest joy.
Their marriage was built on partnership. Together they built a home, raised three beautiful children and later worked side by side to establish AV Cares. Through every chapter of life, they shared not only the responsibilities and challenges but also the dreams they worked towards together.
To Madhura, Vijay’s greatest gift was never the places they travelled or the things they owned, but the memories they created together. It is those moments, big and small, that best reflect the husband he was.
Vijay was a husband who filled life with love, adventure and unforgettable memories. He had a way of making even the simplest days feel special, always looking for an excuse to go somewhere, try something new or create another memory together.
He showed his love through his actions. Whether it was remembering birthdays and anniversaries or caring for Madhura throughout her pregnancy, he always found thoughtful ways to make the people he loved feel supported. Seeing his family happy brought him the greatest joy.
Their marriage was built on partnership. Together they built a home, raised three beautiful children and later worked side by side to establish AV Cares. Through every chapter of life, they shared not only the responsibilities and challenges but also the dreams they worked towards together.
To Madhura, Vijay’s greatest gift was never the places they travelled or the things they owned, but the memories they created together. It is those moments, big and small, that best reflect the husband he was.
Above all else, Vijay was incredibly proud to be a father.
He wanted his children to experience the world from as young an age as possible. Whether it was travelling, exploring somewhere new, or simply making memories together, he believed that every experience would help them grow, become confident, and embrace life with curiosity.
Although he loved all three of his children equally, he celebrated what made each of them unique. Whether it was watching the stars and talking about space with Veera, sharing cuddles with Ahana, or dancing away with Aarvi, he made each child feel known, loved, and valued in their own way.
Affectionately, he would always call them his beautiful monkeys, a nickname that will forever bring a smile to those who heard it.
To the world, he was many things. To us, he was simply our Thambi.
Although he was our younger brother, there was something about him that made us look up to him like an older brother, and often even a father figure. He was protective by nature, always making sure we were okay and quietly carrying a sense of responsibility for the people he loved.
His kindness wasn’t something he spoke about, it was simply who he was. He treated everyone with warmth and respect, always willing to help and always putting others before himself.
To us, he was never just our brother. He was our protector, our biggest supporter and someone we could always turn to. His presence brought comfort, laughter and strength, and his love was shown through the little things he did every day.
He will always be our beloved Thambi. A brother we were proud to have, a constant source of love and support and someone whose place in our family can never be replaced.
To us, Vijay wasn’t just an uncle. He was the cool uncle, the one who always knew the latest technology, the one who would happily help you figure things out, and the one who believed that the best memories were made by getting out into the world.
Whether it was spontaneous road trips, adventures, or simply spending quality time together, he made every experience feel exciting. He treated us with respect, gave us the freedom to be ourselves, and made us feel included in every adventure.
For all of us, he became much more than an uncle. At different times in our lives, he was an older brother, a father figure, a mentor, and a friend.
Vijay was the kind of friend who always made an effort. Friendship was never one-sided with him. He would call, check in, make plans and somehow always find a way to be there. Whatever you were going through, he was someone you could genuinely trust and rely on.
Speaking badly of others simply wasn’t in his nature. Even when someone was angry with him, he met them with patience and kindness. More often than not, he would be the one calling afterwards to make sure everything was okay.
Life was never slow with Vijay. There was always another plan, another adventure or another reason to laugh. Beneath all of that was someone incredibly loyal, caring and accepting. He never expected people to be anyone other than themselves.
Vijay was damn near perfect as a friend. The shoes he left behind aren’t simply difficult to fill. They’re nearly impossible to fill.
Wherever Vijay worked, people remembered him, not just for what he did, but for how he treated others.
He genuinely cared about the people he worked alongside. He built trust, created friendships, and inspired loyalty. So much so that when he moved to new opportunities, many of the people he had worked with chose to follow him.
He led with encouragement rather than authority, creating an environment where people felt supported and valued. His warmth, humour, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to work with him.
Vijay wasn’t always someone who expressed his love through words, but no one ever questioned how deeply he cared. He was a man of action, believing that love was best shown through what you did rather than what you said.
If Amma needed something, no matter how big or small, he would quietly make it happen. He persevered until she had what she needed, always wanting to make life a little easier for her. He also carried a strong sense of responsibility for keeping the family together, knowing how much that meant to his mother. His devotion wasn’t loud, it was steady, dependable, and unwavering.
His Legacy
01
Leadership
Built a career founded on dedication, perseverance and genuine relationships.
Beginning in recruitment, progressing into senior management and ultimately achieving the ambition of establishing an independent complex care recruitment company. Years of trust, integrity and hard work meant that many clients, healthcare professionals and colleagues chose to continue that journey alongside him.
Created more than a business. Built a workplace where people felt supported, valued and genuinely cared for.
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02
Community
Vijay had a quiet way of changing people’s lives.
For many friends and members of the wider community, he became the person they called when they were ready to build a new life in the UK. Whether it was finding employment, offering advice or helping someone settle into unfamiliar surroundings, he was always willing to help.
All it often took was one phone call or one message.
He never looked for recognition or praise. He simply wanted people to succeed. His kindness, generosity and willingness to open doors created opportunities for countless people, many of whom are where they are today because Vijay believed in them first.
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03
Family
If there is one thing Vijay taught his family, it is that memories don’t just happen, they are created.
He believed that the best moments in life came from making the effort to bring people together. Whether it was organising family trips, putting on fireworks, planning themed celebrations or finding new adventures, he was always the one creating opportunities for laughter and togetherness.
His creativity wasn’t just something he enjoyed himself. He passed it on to the next generation, encouraging curiosity, imagination and the confidence to try something new.
The memories he created will last a lifetime, but perhaps his greatest legacy is teaching those he loved to keep creating new ones.
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A Heartfelt Gratitude
From The Family
நன்றியுரை
எங்கள் அன்புக்குரிய விஜயின் மறைவினால் ஏற்பட்ட ஆற்றொணாத் துயரமான இந்நேரத்தில், எங்களுடன் நேரடியாகவும் தொலைபேசி அழைப்புகள், குறுந்தகவல்கள், சமூக ஊடகங்கள் மற்றும் பல்வேறு வழிகளிலும் எங்களைத் தொடர்புகொண்டு வந்து துயரத்தில் பங்குகொண்டு எங்கள் குடும்பத்திற்கு ஆதரவாக இருந்த உறவினர்கள், நண்பர்கள் மற்றும் நலன்விரும்பிகள் அனைவருக்கும் எங்களின் மனமார்ந்த நன்றிகளைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறோம்.
நேரில் வர இயலாத நிலையிலும், உங்கள் வார்த்தைகள், நினைவுகள், பிரார்த்தனைகள் மற்றும் அன்பான செய்திகள் எங்களை வந்தடைந்த ஒவ்வொரு தருணமும், நாங்கள் தனியாக இல்லை என்ற உணர்வை எங்களுக்கு அளித்தன.
விஜயை இழந்த துயரம் எங்களால் வார்த்தைகளால் விவரிக்க முடியாத அளவிற்கு ஆழமானது. இந்த எதிர்பாராத இழப்பை ஏற்றுக்கொள்வதும், இந்த வேதனையான காலத்தை கடந்து செல்வதும் எங்கள் குடும்பத்திற்கு மிகவும் கடினமானதாக ஒரு துயரமான நேரத்தில், எங்களைச் சுற்றி நின்று, எங்களின் கண்ணீரில் பங்குகொண்டு, எங்களுக்கு மனவலிமை அளித்த உங்கள் ஒவ்வொருவரின் அன்பும் ஆதரவும் எங்களுக்கு அளவிட முடியாத ஆறுதலாகும். உங்கள் அன்பையும் அக்கறையையும் இந்த துயரத்தின் மத்தியில் நாங்கள் ஒருபோதும் மறக்கமாட்டோம்.
விஜயுடன் நீங்கள் கொண்டிருந்த உறவு, அவரைப் பற்றிய உங்கள் அன்பான நினைவுகள் மற்றும் அவரை நினைவுகூர்ந்து எங்களுடன் பகிர்ந்த ஒவ்வொரு வார்த்தையும் எங்கள் மனங்கள ில் என்றும் நிலைத்திருக்கும். அவர் உங்கள் வாழ்க்கையிலும் ஒரு சிறப்பான இடத்தைப் பெற்றிருந்தார் என்பதை அறிந்துகொள்வது, எங்களின் துயரத்தின் மத்தியில் ஒரு சிறிய ஆறுதலை அளிக்கிறது.
எங்கள் குடும்பத்திற்கு நீங்கள் வழங்கிய அன்பு, ஆறுதல், ஆதரவு, உதவி, பிரார்த்தனை மற்றும் நேரம் — இவை அனைத்தும் எங்களுக்கு அளவிட முடியாதவை.
எங்கள் குடும்பம் இந்த ஆழ்ந்த துயரத்தை எதிர்கொள்ளும் இந்நேரத்தில், எங்களுடன் நின்ற ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் மீண்டும் ஒருமுறை எங்களின் மனமார்ந்த, இதயபூர்வமான நன்றிகளை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறோம்.
விஜயின் நினைவுகள் என்றும் எங்கள் இதயங்களில் வாழும். அவரை நேசித்த அனைவரின் இதயங்களிலும் அவரது நினைவு என்றும் நிலைத்திருக்கட்டும்.
என்றென்றும் நன்றியுடன்,
விஜயின் குடும்பத்தினர்
During this deeply painful and difficult time following the passing of our beloved Vijay, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our relatives, friends and well-wishers who came in person to share in our grief and stand by our family, as well as to everyone who reached out to us through telephone calls, messages, social media and in so many other ways.
Even for those who were unable to be with us in person, every word of comfort, every cherished memory, every prayer and every heartfelt message you shared with us brought us comfort and reminded us that we were not alone during this incredibly difficult time.
The pain of losing Vijay is deeper than words can ever express. Coming to terms with this unexpected loss and finding the strength to move forward through this painful period has been incredibly difficult for our family. In the midst of such profound grief, the love and support shown by each and every one of you, standing beside us, sharing our tears, comforting us and giving us strength, has meant more to us than words can express. Your love, kindness and compassion are something we will carry in our hearts and never forget.
The relationships you shared with Vijay, the beautiful memories you have of him, and every kind word you shared with us in remembrance of him will remain forever in our hearts. Knowing that Vijay held a special place in the lives of so many people brings us a small measure of comfort in the midst of our sorrow.
The love, comfort, support, assistance, prayers and time that you have given to our family are truly immeasurable. Every gesture of kindness, no matter how big or small, has touched our hearts deeply. Your presence and support have given us strength when we needed it most, and we will always be grateful for the way you stood by us during this difficult journey.
As our family continues to face this profound loss, we once again extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to each and every person who stood beside us, supported us, remembered Vijay and shared in our grief.
Vijay’s memories will live on forever in our hearts. May his memory remain forever in the hearts of all those who knew, loved and cherished him.
With everlasting gratitude,
Vijay’s Family
The greatest gift we can leave is a memory.
If Vijay made you laugh, helped you through a difficult time, taught you something or left you with a story you’ll never forget, we’d love to hear it.
You might like to share:
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A favourite memory or funny story
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Something Vijay taught you
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A moment that changed your life
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What made him unique
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What you hope his children will always know about him