Raymond Manohar Anchan

Dr. Raymond Manohar Anchan is a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, mentor, and physician. His remarkable life was filled with love and adventure. His love of God and life propelled him to tremendous achievements, lifelong friendships, and unwavering generosity. On October 9, 2024, at the age of sixty-one, our beloved husband and father was called home to Glory, surrounded by his loving family at the Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Born in Tumkur, Karnataka, India on December 25, 1962, he is the son of the late Charles Anchan and Mary (John) Anchan.

Ray spent much of his early childhood traveling with his mother to Canada and the U.S. to live with family and attend school. In India, Ray went to boarding school in Ooty, Tamil Nadu before winning a national scholarship to complete high school at the prestigious Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala in Mysore. 

After graduation, Ray returned to Canada with his brother, Roby, and parents, Mary and Charles. He and Roby studied at the University of Lethbridge where Ray enjoyed dorm life, served as resident advisor, and goofed around with his brother. He completed a Masters in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary School of Medicine in 1989, and a PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1994.

While in graduate school, Ray met Gigi Lizza George. The two fell in love, spending hours on the phone talking as Gigi finished her medical degree in San Antonio and Ray finished his PhD in Seattle. Ray married the love of his life on June 26, 1993, in Houston, and Gigi moved to Seattle where they began their adventurous life together, hiking Mount Rainier, rowing in Lake Washington, and driving through the Cascades.

Ray’s post-doctoral position at Duke University took the couple to North Carolina where their family started to grow. First came Mac, their beloved golden retriever, and second was the birth in 2000 of their twin sons Christopher John and Michael George Anchan. 

Ray pursued an MD at the Brody School of Medicine followed by a residency in Ob-Gyn at East Carolina University. His Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at Harvard Medical School at Brigham and Women’s Hospital brought the family to Massachusetts in 2005. He served there as Assistant Professor, Attending Physician, and Gynecologic Surgeon for the rest of his medical career. Ray helped countless families struggling with infertility to grow their families. He expanded the field of Reproductive Stem Cell Biology and Gynecologic research as the Principal Investigator of his laboratory. His vast contributions to science, medicine, and education earned him numerous awards. As a dedicated mentor and talented teacher, he inspired students at various stages in their professional careers to strive for excellence in science and medicine.

Ray was a dedicated father who reminded his children how much he loved them every day. Despite his busyness, he attended every baseball game, awards ceremony, and school event. He cherished nightly dinners and family prayer, playing his guitar and singing worship songs with his boys. He lived in the moment, traveling often with his family to explore Icelandic glaciers, New Zealand mountains, and Jamaican beaches. A hopeful romantic, Ray danced with his wife, brought her flowers when there was no occasion, and showered her with love every single day.

Ray was a man of many interests and talents. He was a self-taught musician. In his younger days, he played in a band with his brothers. He loved listening to the Eagles, the Beatles, and Eric Clapton. With his playful sense of humor, funny banter, and infectious laugh, he lightened the mood wherever he went. He was an outdoorsman who loved to hike, kayak, and walk his dogs. He was an animal-lover, adding Layla, his family’s second beloved golden retriever, to his household in 2016. As a pastor-elder, he preached, officiated weddings, counseled young couples, and baptized his sons. A loyal friend, Ray stayed in touch and prayed for people. He was often the first to visit people in the hospital and help loved ones to find medical care. As a dedicated son to his parents and their mission, he spent thirty-one years stewarding the Rural Indian Mission Hospital clinic into a palliative care center for the underserved in Tumkur, India. 

Above all else, Ray was a man of faith. His deep love for the Lord was the bedrock of who he was. He was devoted to sharing the gospel of Christ and lived his life with Christ-like love. He ensured that everyone, especially his family, always knew how much he loved them, and how much Christ loved them. 

Although he will be immeasurably missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege to know him, Raymond Anchan is spending eternity with the Lord he loved so deeply and will surely be awaiting his family’s return. 

Ray Manohar Anchan MD-PhD

1962-2024

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Beloved husband of Gigi Lizza (George) Anchan.

Loving and proud father of Christopher J. Anchan of New York City and Michael G. Anchan of Boston.

Devoted son of Mary (John) Anchan of Tumkur, Karnataka, India, and the late Charles Anchan.

Cherished brother of Harry S. Anchan and his wife, Jessie, John P. "Ritchie" Anchan and his wife, Zynu, and Robert D. Anchan and his wife, Shanthi, all of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Also survived by his “siblings-in-love” Jojy and Pheba, Siji and David, Liji and Benny, and his “parents-in-love” Lizzy and George Mattackal, as well as his many loving nieces and nephews, whom he loved like his own children. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ray's visitation on Friday, October 18th, 2024, from 4 to 7 pm and Friends & Family Remembrance, from 7-8:30 pm in The Fellowship Church, 604 Foundry Street, South Easton, Massachusetts.

A Funeral Service will be held in The Fellowship Church on Saturday morning, October 19th, 2024, at 9:00 am. Interment will follow at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ray's name may be made to either World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063, https://www.worldvision.org or Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, https://www.compassion.com/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.