Damji was born in Bombay, India on July 18, 1939, to parents Devji and Jetbai (nee Vira) Shah. He moved to the United States when he was 18 and attended the University of Wisconsin Madison where he received his bachelor’s degree. He went on to earn his master’s degree from Illinois Institute of Technology. He married Beatrice Gomez and together they raised their daughter Rachel until Beatrice’s death in 1994.
Damji married Darleene Kelpinski on May 3, 1997, after the couple met on a Costa Rican Single Adventure Trip. He loved to travel and explore the world and visited over 65 countries.
Damji had a bright and vibrant personality. He enjoyed making people laugh and was very social, belonging to many clubs. He was a member of Park Place Investments, Arlington Squares, his local book club and DanceWorld where he also served as treasurer. His immediate and extended family were very important to him, and he helped pave the way for many relatives to come to the United States.
Damji was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend, and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
Damji is survived by his wife, Darleene Shah, his daughter, Rachel (Ken) Moore, Darleene’s son, Thomas (Kimberly) Kelpinski, his grandchildren, Jake Kelpinski, and Sophia Kelpinski, his siblings, Dhanvanti (Premji) Dedhia, Lila (Lax) Shah, and Bharti (Surendra) Shah, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Shah, sister Ramila, brother Chunilal and his parents.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. to time of Memorial Service at 11:30 a.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
