Renowned Kiwi-Indian businessman and Papal Medal receiver Wenceslaus Anthony has passed away at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India earlier today.
Mr Anthony had been on business and holiday trip away from New Zealand for the last eight weeks and had just returned from Israel and Egypt before falling sick.
He was admitted to the Apollo Hospital on Friday, July 21, where he underwent a series of tests. It all started with a kidney failure but ended up in multi organ failure which led to his ultimate demise.
On his trip with his family, Mr Anthony visited several cities in North and South India and Sri Lanka. He also attended his nephew's wedding in Kerala earlier last week.
Mr Anthony was a former co-chair of the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) and had accompanied former Prime Minister John Key twice on his official visit to India.
Wenceslaus Anthony was an ardent community worker and the chairman of the Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee and received the Papal Medal, Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice (Decoration of Honour of the Roman Catholic Church) awarded by Pope Francis of Vatican in May 2017.
Mr Anthony is survived by his wife Susan, son Akash and daughter Sneha who were with him in his last moments along with his relatives.
High Commissioner of India in New Zealand His Excellency Shri Sanjiv Kohli has expressed his condolences.
"It is a great loss for the family and the community. I and my High Commission have lost a dear friend and a solid support. May God grant strength to the family and peace to the departed soul," Mr Kohli said.
His associates and friends in Auckland are distraught and praying for his family. Early in the day many political leaders from all sides of the political spectrum were asking about his well being from The Indian Weekender's publisher who is a very close friend of Wency - as he was affectionately called.
His funeral will be conducted on Wednesday, July 26 in Chennai. Details of the funeral place and time will be updated soon on The Indian Weekender.
The Indian Weekender would like to extend its heartiest condolences to Mr Anthony's family.