Chitta Sikder

Surrounded by his family and his loving wife of fifty-two years, Sima, Chitta Sikder of Wayne NJ passed away the afternoon of Friday March 13, 2020 at the age of 85 after a courageous fight against Alzheimer’s. For the past few years Chitta fought the disease with dignity and grace, a paradigm of hope and strength and refusing to give up until the very end.

He was the oldest son in his family, a position that makes you responsible for your entire family, something he took very seriously. He worked hard his entire life to support his parents, brothers and sisters. Chitta immigrated to the US while most kids his age were still in high school. Along with his best friend Mike Aditya, they left their native India looking for the American dream. Chitta worked many jobs and learned every aspect of this country. He quickly set up his immediate and extended family for success and helped them pursue their “American Dream”

Chitta took fashion advice from no one. Working in the silk mills of Paterson, he believed he knew what was in fashion and what was not fashionable. You could not tell him things were no longer in fashion. He dressed well and everyone else was a hippie.

Chitta had many loves. He loved to shop for a bargain, he loved to shop at flea markets and he loved a really good sale. However, his true love were his children, Spencer and Marcy, Chitta Jr. and  Robyn, Susie and John and the late Robert McGurr, Arpan and Kristi.

Famously opinionated and short tempered, Chitta successfully handed down these traits to each of his grandchildren, Kapono, Mark and Marissa, Susan and Chris, Cory and Jess, Rachael and Kyle, Ryan, Bobby and Aimee, Josh, Zach, Jack, and Emma, each of whom don’t listen well.  His 4 great grandchildren, Logan, Luke, Ethan and Annabelle seem to have missed this part of the Chitta gene.

Dad you have endured more than most, and we want you to always know that we are so proud of you and grateful to you, for without your hard work and perseverance our lives would not have been successful. His feistiness and stubbornness had served him well throughout his life. Even in his last few months and days he was a model of strong will and sheer determination to his last breath.

Chitta loved parties and social gatherings. He loved to be the host and Dad like you said to everyone:

“THANK YOU TO COME”