Doodnauth "John" Pokhan

Doodnauth Pokhan, 69 of Fyrish Road, Berbice, Guyana, passed away on May 18, 2018 at home in Naples, Florida.  He was born on August 23, 1948 to Pokhan and Parbati Mewa (both deceased).  He lived in Naples since 2001, working as a registered nurse supervisor at Manorcare at Lely Palms.  He enjoyed fishing, farming, general handyman work, entertaining his grandchildren, dancing, playing music, watching Bollywood movies and cricket matches from around the globe.

John, as he was known to his friends, had a heart for helping others.  Always quick with a smile and a hearty handshake, he was ready to lend a helping hand, a thoughtful word of encouragement and time out of his schedule.  If you needed direction, he was quick to take you under his wing and give you sound advice.   There were no strangers to him….only friends he hadn’t met yet.  Most that met him grew to be fast friends and were even considered family in his eyes.   He was more concerned about helping others on their journey through life than claiming credit.  He always believed there was a way to achieve your goal but you had to put in the hard work and persevere until you made it.  That mindset made him well-respected and liked by many.

He was determined to follow his own path instead of letting others choose that for him.  He was raised on a farm in Guyana but decided to emigrate to the U.S, searching for a better life and more opportunities.  He settled in Hoboken, New Jersey and quickly enrolled in mechanic school, working in various shops around town.   Later, he worked at the Standard Box Folding Company as a printing machine operator.

But eventually the beat of the different drum called him to follow a different path.  In 1981, he moved his family to Largo, Florida.  His mechanic skills served him well as he enrolled in another technical school to complete his mechanic studies and worked in various mechanic shops.   However, inspired by his wife’s dream to enter the medical profession, he enrolled in the Pinellas Vocational Technical Institute to do nursing.  He eventually went on to pursue a nursing degree from St.  Petersburg  Junior College, achieving registered nurse status.

Nursing allowed him to utilize all of his strengths:  his compassion for people, his heart for service, his ability to visualize and solve mechanical problems; his ability to out-work everyone in the room, and to lead the staff in providing the best care possible.  He cared for his patients as if they were family, ensuring they were given all of the dignity and reverence they deserved.

In his down time, he enjoyed fishing using a cast net.  It was not unusual to find him wading hip-deep in the water, with a net slung over his right shoulder, watching the movement of the fish.  If the fishing was bad, he worked on his fruit trees and vegetable gardens.  If there was a vehicle that needed repair or equipment that wasn’t working quite right, he would be in the garage, studying the machine with a careful eye, trying to spot the problem.  There was never a shortage of projects he could be working on at any given time.

It was not uncommon for him to share fruits and vegetables or even his day’s catch with family and friends.   He also loved to throw parties without necessarily needing a special occasion or reason.  They were a time to have fun, dance, enjoy music and revel in each other’s company.   Life was about togetherness:  spending the time, enjoying the music, laughing and sharing in the experiences.  In short, life was about family - including those individuals were not related to you by blood.

So when his children had children of their own, it was only natural for him to dote on the babies.  The one-time mechanic went from repairing cars to building baby swing sets and cribs.  It was a regular sight to see him fishing with an excited audience of grandchildren sitting on the water’s edge, waiting for him to haul in his catch.  Taking tractor rides with Grandpa was also a favorite pastime at his house.  Whatever his grandchildren wanted, he gave them, often to the dismay of their parents.  And he would defend that decision, with a wink to the child, knowing that it was entirely in his power to do so. 

Upon retirement, he spent his days working on his yard and his garden…with his grandchildren following his every move.  He often could be found cuddled up with his two grandsons, Jai and Ravi, watching cartoons or listening to them sing-along to music.

Even in his final moments, he was surrounded by family - the beloved grandchildren playing and laughing in the home while he was being cared for by his wife and children.  The family that he worked so hard for, loved like no one else, guided and watched over were there with him, loving him right back. 

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Vijanti, two children, daughter Shanta Ramlakhan (Dave) and son Hemachal Pokhan (Lea); 5 grandchildren, John Pokhan, Angelica Pokhan, Christopher Pokhan, Jai Ramlakhan and Ravi Ramlakhan; and 18 siblings (with three passing as infants) - Dada, Shirley, Bud, Boto, Sona, Nano, Dado, Dato, Bob, Radica, Rohit, Devica, Mamzin, Lildat and Kesho.

A visitation will be held Thursday 5/24/2018 from 6pm to 8pm.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, 5/25/2018, 12 noon.  Both the visitation and the funeral service will be at Fuller Funeral Home North, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34109.