A Triumphant Life

By: Ray Lee

The following is my eulogy given at the virtual memorial service...

Good afternoon dear friends and family of Sanjay Tailor. Thank you for tuning in today to remember and celebrate the life of our good friend. I wish we could all congregate together to comfort one another and share our stories but 2020 has been a challenging year. To be honest, Sanjay had so many friends, family, and colleagues that finding a suitable venue would have been tough. Having a virtual memorial service transcending state and country boundaries and multiple time zones actually serves Sanjay’s remembrance best.

Today, I hope we all find you safe and in the comfort of your home with loved ones. Juel, you have orchestrated an incredible and unprecedented virtual memorial service in your time of grief. I know Sanjay’s spirit is watching over and he is so amazed by you.

For those that do not know me, my name is Ray Lee, a close friend, and former roommate and neighbor of Sanjay. It is an honor to stand before you and speak here today. Although Sanjay’s 53 years of life was far too short, I know he lived life to the fullest…in fact I believe he lived many lifetimes touching many souls.

Our friendship was just a few chapters of his profound life story. I would like to share what those chapters meant to me and to tell you what an incredible friend Sanjay was.

Chapter 1: The Beginning
Like many of you I met Sanjay through mutual friends. Anthony, introduced us over 10 years ago. Immediately the bond was strong and our three amigos friendships grew. Like Sanjay, we all got married later in life and Sanjay was a groomsmen in each of our weddings. Ultimately, we proudly had sons at about the same time and would share our fatherhood stories with each other.

Chapter 2: The Second Beginning
It wasn’t until about 7 years ago when we really got to know each other on a deeper level. Sanjay was experiencing an emotional time. In search of a different direction in his life, we were reunited in Corona del Mar where we became housemates and then neighbors. We were able to help each other find life balance. I was overly consumed with work. I felt like I lost my own direction and existence.

As you all know Sanjay is a lover of people and fun, and his return to my life gave me new focus. At the same time, Sanjay needed help getting back on his feet. Sanjay wore his heart on his sleeve and he wanted to share his inner thoughts to heal. I was more of an introvert and Sanjay the extrovert so there was a natural equilibrium. I believe the universe had its reason to bring us back together to restore some sort of balance in both our lives.

Sanjay was searching for his happiness. He wanted a soulmate to be his wife and have a family. At that time he wasn’t sure he could achieve this dream. My friendship provided some comfort to Sanjay. I also learned through him the importance in finding more time to enjoy life outside of work and to better connect and stay connected with those around me.

As time went by we enjoyed living our daily intertwined lives. We had our weekly match.com couch sessions where we would both seriously and jokingly do our online searches together. And as crazy as it sounds, it is how I eventually met my wife, Shannon. When Sanjay moved next door, Shannon and I would look forward to our “Sunday Suppers with Sanjay.”

Sanjay was a PASSIONATE an GENUINE friend. He was passionate in all his endeavors, selflessly giving 100% of himself. His personality was genuine and positively infectious. Sanjay went viral amongst my circle of friends and beyond. He could easily make acquaintances at the neighborhood park, in line at Starbucks, or even on a chairlift ride as his Utah friends would know. Even local restaurant workers would greet him by name. Moreover, he was a guys’ guy showing comradery and being emboldening but somehow finding our hidden vulnerable sides.

When he gently called you “brother” it just felt special because he meant it. You could hear it in his voice. He is also the only guy friend I know that says “love you” and you can easily answer back the same. I know many of you guys out there know what I mean. He was a one of a kind friend.

One of Sanjay’s signature characteristics that we all loved was his loud cackling uproarious laugh and big smile. I can hear and see it every day. It is hard to imagine that it is gone from this world but this joyous effect carries on in all of us he touched. At the same time that he loved to laugh, if he sensed you needed help, he could switch gears and get serious and be willing to help a brother out. Be it love, work, or play he would help you “figure it out” or help you “lock it down”. He was truly a big brother to me.

Another one of Sanjay’s attributes was his loyalty. Shannon had a birthday party weekend on Catalina Island. Sanjay had recently met Juel and was flying in with her from SLC. I was really excited to get some friends together for the birthday weekend but when Sanjay said he was still in SLC I didn’t think he would make it. As we were sitting at lunch we got a call from Sanjay. He said look up at the sky…. its Juel and I! He had chartered a helicopter to make it. Of course Sanjay would figure out a way. He truly was a loyal friend.

Chapter 3: Juel and Luke
As most of you know, like a fairy tale, Sanjay and Juel met sitting next to each other on a plane. It was love at first sight, but Sanjay was still committed to prove his worth. He tried hard to impress her. He climbed a mountain for charity and somewhere adopted a cow. Juel can tell you all of his triumphal stories. By the way, Sanjay’s name in Hindu means “triumphant” and it seem so fitting. I could clearly see Sanjay was in the best mindset he could be. He found his love and peace.

I never thought Mr. Laguna Beach would leave The OC, but he left with no regrets as the “mountains called” to him making Utah home with Juel and of course Luke his pride and joy.

Sanjay was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. Sanjay you have sincerely touched an extraordinary amount of lives in your time here on earth. We here are all blessed to have crossed paths with you. Your spirit lives on deeply in our hearts. May you rest in peace knowing that your triumphant love of life and people has left this world a better place. Good bye for now my friend.