January 20, 1936 – February 7, 2024
Don Upali Ramanayake passed from this life to the next on February 7th, 2024. He was 88 years old. Throughout his life he found faith, family, mission, and adventure. He travelled across 6 continents and visited approximately 60 countries. His journey started in 1936 in the Indian Ocean on his island home of then Ceylon. He was the youngest of three children born to Barnabas and Miriam Ramanayake of Pannipitiya. His father died at an early age leaving Upali and his family in poverty for many years. His mother, a devout Christian in a Buddhist land had great faith and prayed for her three children, all of whom finished university and loved God. Upali was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tissa Ramanayake and is survived today by his sister Malika Perera of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
At age 27 he travelled to Germany for his work and in a whirlwind romance, met and married the beautiful Hannelore Schmidt. Upali spoke English, German, and Singhalese at varying levels of fluency. Hanne at the time only spoke German. They married in Dehiwala, Ceylon on June 6th, 1964, and today have celebrated just short of 60 years of marriage. Upali is survived today by his wife Hannelore Ramanayake and by their two daughters and sons-in-law of Oklahoma: Jacqueline and Vance Gregory, and Yasmin and Jeffery Johnson. He is also survived by his grandchildren Alysha, Jonny, Isabella, Ian, Hannah, Micheal, Amber, Eric, Elizabeth, Madeleine, Casey, Kamdyn, Bailey, and Emma. He is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews in Australia, Sri-Lanka, USA, and Belgium.
Upali had a career as an engineer. He started with projects building dams and working in a cement factory in the jungles near Galle, Ceylon. Next, in England for a few years, he constructed a multi-level car park that is still there today (across from the Canterbury Cathedral). Most of his career, however, was spent as a civil engineer in Hong Kong. Two big projects bookend his 27-year tenure in Hongkong starting with the construction of the the iconic Cross Harbor Tunnel and ending with the building of Lantau Airport (one of the world’s largest and busiest airports today).
In Hong Kong, Upali was an active member of St. Andrews Anglican Church (more out of a sense of duty than conviction). After many years and lots of unanswered questions, he remembers one vicar in particular that knocked on his door and answered those many questions. After that Upali’s faith exploded and he ventured out into service including working with a group from Jackie Pullinger’s Hang Fook Camp. He started a Sri Lankan fellowship at the International Christian Assembly, and for many years was president of the Full Gospel Men’s Ministries Asian Division.
In retirement, Upali went back to school. He completed both master’s and doctoral degrees in theology. Upali spent the next 10 years teaching pastors and Church leaders all over Asia. He provided funds and scholarships for many of the students. He had a generous heart and always gave when he saw a need.
Upali penned his memoirs recently and ends with “there were hard times and there were good times. But, through it all I stand amazed at God’s plan and faithfulness”. Upali amid all his wanderings is truly home now. Till we meet again Papa may you rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you would consider making a donation in honor of Don towards City Rescue Mission. You can do so by clicking here.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Febuary 9, 2024 at Matthews Funeral Home. Burail will follow at Gracelawn Cemetery.
We will be live streaming this service. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
Dearest Aunty Hanna and family. Sharmila and I are sending you our love in this time of sadness as well as celebration of Uncle Upali’s life and ministry. It is a life well spent labouring in te vineyard of the Lord. We carry very happy memories of him and the unstinting support he gave for God’s kingdom work.
May Uncle Upali Rest in Peace to rise in glory.
Dear aunty Hanna, Jacky, Yasmin and families,
Sharing our love and praying for God’s comfort for you all, as you face this temporary parting on this side of eternity. God’s grace is sufficient to get you through this difficult time. May uncle Upali’s soul rest in peace.
Warm regards,
Rochelle
No words to express my gratitude. For sure he is in the nearer presence of God
We have been Blessed to know Don during our time in Tulsa . Doug and Bobbie Powers
Yaz,
My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. Prayers and blessings to you and your family. Your work “family” is here if you need us.
I remember the first time I met Mr Ramanayake… AKA Papa Ramanayke to me. He was a sweet gentle soul and has had a definite impact on my life just by means of his character and the kind of man he was. He was the father of my dear friend Jacqueline and he will forever be in our hearts! Until we see you again Papa!!
Hannelore, I hope to see many more beautiful creations come from your heart with joyful knowledge Don has arrived Home. We rejoice over his faith and service to God’s kingdom and your lengthy marriage and partner with him in so many of these journeys. What a life! God has blessed you both! May God be with you, your lively daughters, Jacqueline and Yaz and their husbands, Lance and Jeff and your grands and soon great-grand. Continued blessings to you all.
You were not just my father’s brother; you were a role model to me.
Growing up, I was unintentionally mirroring you, but a far second. Obviously so, the grand lady who brought you up was my grandmother who guided me through life’s twists and turns. I think, you were graduating from Uni with an Engineering Degree when I was born. As a schoolboy, I pitched into your expensive cricket bats during your absence from home. I listened as you elaborated feats of your brother, Tissa, firsthand, as you had watched him play, from the boundary line.
Our paths intersected numerous times at gatherings of the (Full Gospel) FGBMF across the globe. Yasmin and I will always cherish the moments we shared with you and Aunty Hanne, when we met in different countries – the heartfelt conversations, the quiet moments of companionship, and the determination to teach life lessons in your own humble way. Your generosity to me was amazing.
Always we remember the beautiful partnership you shared with Aunty Hanne, a testament to love and companionship that left a lasting stamp on us all who were fortunate enough to witness it.
I will miss you a lot, Uncle Upali, but I know you are with our Lord – till we meet again.
I met uncle Upali and aunty Hanne at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Baguio, Philippines in 2013. As a Sri Lankan I was beyond thrilled to have a Sri Lankan visiting professor. He was an excellent teacher with an expanse of knowledge and experience. It was a joy and honor to learn from him.
Uncle Upali and aunty Hanne have remained friends with me since then and have supported and encouraged me as a young leader on many of my speaking engagements and oversees travel. I am so thankful.
As we say good bye to him on this side of the shore, we do so with the assurance of seeing him again on the other. I know God will reward him richly for the many young lives he has inspired and invested in, just like me.
Until we meet again, may you rest in peace uncle.
Love to aunty Hanne ❤
With fond memories,
Mitchelle Rajapakse- Sri Lanka
Thank you everyone for your kind remarks. So, glad to hear how Upali touched so many live. May Gods grace be with you all.