Friends devastated by classmate’s death just three weeks after 30th college reunion.
Dubai: An Indian expatriate living in Dubai has died in Kerala after reportedly contracting suspected leptospirosis, commonly known as rat fever, while on vacation in his hometown, his family told Gulf News.
Teejo George, 48, died at a hospital in Kannur on Saturday, two days after he was admitted with diarrhoea and body pain. Doctors suspected that he was suffering from leptospirosis, his brother, Reejo George, said over the phone.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can spread from animals to humans and is more common during the rainy season. According to the World Health Organisation, the infection is usually contracted through contact with water, soil or food contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts in the skin or through mucous membranes.
In the early stage of the illness, people may experience symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. While some patients may temporarily feel better, symptoms can return, with severe cases potentially progressing to kidney or liver failure or meningitis, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Teejo, who worked as a senior sales supervisor at an engineering consultancy in Dubai, is survived by his mother and two brothers in Kerala, as well as his wife and three school-going children in the UAE.
Company pays tribute
In a social media post announcing his death, Teejo’s company said he had joined the organisation on March 1, 1999, and had dedicated more than 27 years to the company.
The company described him as much more than a colleague, remembering him for his kindness, humility, warm smile and the happiness he brought to those around him.
“His unwavering dedication, positive spirit, and the relationships he built over the years have left a lasting mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, and he will be deeply missed by all of us,” the company said.
Hundreds of people attended Teejo’s funeral on Sunday, including friends and colleagues who travelled from the UAE to pay their final respects.
‘He was my right hand’
Kripesh Cheruthottumkara, the company’s director of Group Purchase & Logistics, was also in Kerala on vacation when Teejo was admitted to hospital. He rushed to see him and described his death as a deeply personal loss.
“Teejo was the person who received me when I landed at Sharjah International Airport in 2005. We were roommates for three years before he got married and brought his wife to the UAE,” Kripesh told Gulf News over the phone on Monday.
“I am deeply saddened that he left us so soon. His wife, Smitha, and their children could not see him alive as he had passed away by the time they arrived from Dubai.”
Kripesh described Teejo as a valuable asset to the company. “He was our longest-serving employee and was recognised for completing 25 years of service just two years ago. He was my right hand in everything related to the supply chain. He knew everyone in the industry and was familiar with every road in Dubai and Sharjah. Once you gave Teejo a task, you could consider it done.
“Beyond his professional excellence, he was a true asset to everyone who knew him. He was always the first person to step forward and help whenever someone was in need.”
‘Always helpful, loved the UAE’
Another close friend recalled Teejo’s willingness to go out of his way to help others.
“I have seen him help people clear pending hospital bills and assist with passports, visas and other documentation,” the friend said.
“He also helped many people find jobs and used his contacts to assist students with school admissions. He loved the UAE dearly and was particularly proud that his company was involved in the MBZ-SAT satellite project with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. He was also actively involved in community events organised by his family’s church and the Emirates Malayali Nurses Family group, of which Smitha is a member.”
Reunion, then heartbreak
Teejo’s sudden death has left his college friends devastated, with the timing making the loss even more painful. Just three weeks earlier, he had attended a reunion with his pre-degree classmates from Nirmalagiri College (NGC) in Kuthuparamba, held 30 years after they left the institution.
The classmates used the occasion to honour their former teachers and publish a souvenir magazine.
Cynthia Risa Joseph, a classmate who travelled with Teejo on the same flight to attend the reunion, said she never imagined it would be their final journey together.
“I never imagined he wouldn’t make the return trip to Dubai. His untimely passing came as a huge shock to our entire class, and we are still struggling to come to terms with it. He was more than a friend; he was family, and so is Smitha. Teejo and I could talk for hours, argue about all sorts of things, and still reach out to each other the very next day,” she said.
Cynthia recalled Teejo as the voice of their WhatsApp group, regularly sending voice notes to keep everyone connected and engaged.
“He was also the happiest among us about the reunion and played a major role in tracking down some of our classmates and encouraging many of them to attend. We created so many beautiful memories while planning the reunion and on the day itself. We never imagined those memories would become our parting gift to him,” she said.
‘The life of the party’
Balagopal G, another classmate from Dubai, travelled back to Kerala with Cynthia for Teejo’s funeral. He said friends across different parts of the world were mourning the loss.
“I was thrilled to attend the reunion, which grew out of a group I had created. But I never imagined we would meet again so soon, this time to bid farewell to our dear friend,” he said.
“Teejo stayed in touch with almost everyone in the group, regularly calling and sending voice notes. He was always the life of the party whenever we friends got together in Dubai. The entire class was overjoyed after our reunion, and now we are at a loss for words as we try to console each other after losing one of the most active members of our group.”
Sona Martin, a classmate based in Abu Dhabi who also attended the reunion, said it would take time for their group to come to terms with Teejo’s death.
“It will take time to accept that our Teejo is no more. He left us with so many beautiful memories, and I am sure he did the same for many others whose lives he touched. He was among the first to call me after I moved to Abu Dhabi. Even though we had not spoken for some time, it never felt that way; it felt as though we had met only the day before.
“He always knew how to keep the people around him happy. Teejo will forever remain in our hearts.”
