“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”. Mathew Chandanasseril Jacob (Thankachan, CM Jacob) was born to the Late Mr. Chacko Mathew Chandanasseril and Marium Mathew at Chandanasseril in Nechoor, Kerala on 4th January 1952.

Mathew Jacob was solemnized in Holy Matrimony to Mrs. Leelamma Thomas (Kochuvellarethu house, Vayalathala), Pathanamthitta. They are blessed with three children, Liji Jobin wedded to Jobin John, Lincy Gurusamy wedded to Lux Gurusamy, and Jaimon Jacob wedded to Somi Jacob. They are blessed with five beautiful grandchildren- Abigail, Nathaniel, Daniel, Leo, and Olivia and one more on the way. He has three brothers and three sisters in India- Alias Mathew, Babu Mathew and Poly Mathew, Mary Paulose, Late Thanku Mathew and Late Moly Paulose.

He was a very devoted father and a loving husband, who dedicated all his precious time towards his family, friends, church, and the community all over the world. He uniquely maintained a robust, positive, and spiritual life. He left an unforgettable presence in everyone’s life he ever interacted with. He was the pride of our grandmother. At a young age, he had to assume the role of being head of the family and support his siblings as a father. He grew up in challenging economic conditions, where he saw his parent’s utmost faith in the lord. His faith inspired him to be very active in Sunday school and church activities. He focused more of his energy on bringing positive change, especially in youth.

He worked as a Mechanical Engineer in Keltron and had a long and flourishing career wherein he voluntarily retired. He was one of the founders of INTUC in Keltron. He championed the causes of worker’s rights and the well-being of Keltron employees from 1974 – 2000. His peers fondly remember that he worked hard to find solutions to difficult worker’s rights issues.

In the year 2003, our family migrated to the USA. He worked for Cardone Industries, Mutual Pharmaceuticals, and Delavue Pharmaceuticals. He kept his community-organizing aptitudes by organizing prayer fellowship within the Malayalee community in Philadelphia. He was very much influenced by Prof. M.Y. Yohanan sir and the Christian Revival Fellowship. He wanted to bring the same message of Christ’s love through informal gatherings among peers, and fellow Malayalees. He always saw opportunities to inspire others to spread the word of God, may it be through songs, testimonies, phone calls, and bible studies from his own house.

He had a strong passion for gardening because it reminded him of his young days in Kerala. In Philadelphia, he eagerly waited for the growing season as it kept him happy and content. He always enjoyed cooking different cuisines. He used food as his way to express his love and to bond with others.

He selflessly championed help to whomever he came across, be it, friends or family. Despite being blessed in all aspects of his earthly life, he chose to lead the life of a minimalist. His spirituality fortified him to tide over the ailments that troubled him towards the latter part of his life. He maintained his calm composure despite his ailments.

Our dear Pappa, Mathew Jacob, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 11th, 2024.