Hormaz Minoocher Vania

A Memorial Service in honor of Mr. Hormaz M. Vania will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, at the Bisch Funeral Home, 2931 South Koke Mill Road Springfield, IL 62711.

Our deeply beloved Hormaz passed away the night of March 3, 2024 in Springfield, Illinois. He was a noble, gracious, brilliant, and caring gentleman who is greatly missed. He is survived by his spouse, Yasmin H. Vania and three children, Natalie, Ivan, and Rustomji, his brother Luke Vania and wife Ginny Vania, sister Kamal R. Tengra and husband Rohinton Tengra, son-in-law Rusi D. Gandhi, daughter-in-law Crystal Vania, and granddaughter Asha R. Gandhi. His brother Rustom Vania and sister-in-law Gulzarine Vania precede him in eternal rest.

Hormaz was the founder, President, and principal Electrical, Mechanical, and Environmental Professional Engineer of Vania Engineering, Inc. established in 1967. Specially noteworthy projects from Vania Engineering include work on Abraham Lincoln's Tomb, Lincoln's Law Office, Lincoln Land Community College and Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield).

Hormaz was a Master Mason of Tyrian Lodge 333 and recipient of their 50 Years of Faithful Service Award. He was a founder of Springfield's Ethnic Festival and Asian and Indian Associations. Hormaz was an honorary life member of the National Republican Party, through and through an American Patriot, who hosted the first fundraiser in Springfield for a US Congressman.

Hormaz and Yasmin Vania were founders and members of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago and founding members of WZCC, The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce. They were observers to the drafting of the constitution of FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America. A skilled Accordionist and piano player, Hormaz brought delight to many people with his passion for music. Hormaz was always cheerful and had an unending sense of humor. The couple provided "sweat equity" for their home, the first house built in the Colony West subdivision.

Hormaz received Honors in studies at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from The Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, Indiana and a Master's of Science in Environmental Engineering from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He taught engineering and studied music at Lincoln Land and Sangamon State.

Hormaz wore the sacred Zoroastrian religious garments of the sudreh and kusti. Sacred Avestan words, the glorious prayers, were recited by his family, priests, and chaplains and across the globe, as far as Mumbai. Hormaz and Yasmin are donors to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois for the purpose of scientific and educational research. They are grateful to the many well-wishers for their condolences.

Hormaz was the son of Minoocher and Manijeh Vania, descendants of the Ancient Achaemenian Persian Empire and South Asia. Garotham Behest. Hormaz, i.e., Divine Light and Brilliant Wisdom of Ahura Mazda.