John "Maapla" Selvin Raj Sounderraj

John Selvinraj Sounderraj, aged 44, of Salisbury, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024. John was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, friend, and coworker. Fondly called Maapla by his close circle and known as Selvin to family and friends across India and many other countries, John embraced many roles in life, but his favorite title was Appa (father). Born on February 4, 1981, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, John was the beloved son of Mr. Sounderraj Sigamani and Mrs. Rosline Sounderraj. He excelled in academics, completing his education at Kalyanasundaram Higher Secondary School (grades 1–10) and S.V. Matriculation Higher Secondary School (grades 11–12) in Thanjavur. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Ponnaiyah Ramajayam College, Bharathidasan University, in November 2001, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in April 2005 from Adaikala Matha College, Bharathidasan University.

On December 26, 2005, John married Elwina Antonidass, and together they relocated to the United States, where they were blessed with their son, Elsen John, the light of their lives. John became a naturalized U.S. citizen on July 4, 2011, in Annapolis, Maryland.

Professionally, John was an accomplished IT specialist with a strong passion for cybersecurity. He worked at Tishcon Corporation in Salisbury, MD, from 2007 to 2016. Since February 2017, he served at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in various roles, including Cybersecurity, IT Policy & Planning, and most recently as IT InfoSec Program Manager.

John had a profound love for gardening, cultivating vegetables, fruits, and flowers, and earning praise for his meticulous lawn care. He enjoyed cooking elaborate meals, often preparing enough for a crowd while serving his small family of three. He delighted in creating dishes for his son, Elsen, who cherished every meal. John enjoyed long car rides and was planning to settle in Florida, where he dreamed of growing tropical trees to bring a taste of India to the U.S.

Faith was central to John’s life. Baptized on May 29, 1999, at the Thanjavur Seventh-Day Adventist Church, he remained a devoted member of Park SDA Church in Salisbury, MD.

John was preceded in death by his younger brother, Edwin Samuel Sounderraj. He is survived by his loving wife, Elwina Antonidass; his cherished son, Elsen John; his parents, Mr. Sounderraj Sigamani and Mrs. Rosline Sounderraj; and his lifelong friend, Ilayaraja.

John’s kindness, generosity, and radiant smile left an indelible mark on everyone he met. His family, friends, and colleagues will treasure his memory for years to come. As John often said, “Throw kindness around like confetti.”

John rests in the blessed hope of seeing Jesus and reuniting with his family on the gleaming golden morning.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Park SDA Church, 31525 John Deere Dr, Salisbury, Maryland.