We ask that instead of flowers, for those who would like to remember Naresh Verlander, if you could kindly donate to a cause close to the family's heart. 

Naresh believed that once a flower was cut, it was no longer a live flower, it wasn't the beauty of life it was before it was cut. 

We are all still living, and as much as I want my brother back, he would have wanted to support the charity that means the most to his sister: Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust. 

He risked his life when being a volunteer fire fighter as well as dive rescuer (with Atlantic Steamers Fire Co. No. 1 on Long Island, New York) externally of work. Running into danger when most would run away. 

I have supported Jo's myself; but this page is to remember Naresh's beautiful mind and loving heart. I know there is nothing in the world he would not have done for me, his little sister, which is why we wish to remember Naresh through donations to a cause that means so much to the family. 

We miss you, Naresh. 

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◦▪◦▪ Many thanks to Neil Z. who kindly wrote an obit on behalf of the family as an Old Wykehamist. It can be read in full below:

Naresh Peter Verlander (E, 02-04): died 20.07.2018. Computer Science, Kings College London 04-06, Philosophy, Heythrop College 06-09, Law BPP Law School 10-11, Sandhurst, 11-12, Cambridge Judge School 15-16.

(Naresh died suddenly and tragically at home due to natural causes.)

"He had multiple talents and a wide array of interests. Within his short time he accomplished many things and his life experience was exceptionally rich as a result. After his academic studies, he volunteered for many years with the Metropolitan Police as a Special Constable, becoming the Metropolitan Police's youngest Special Constable to be promoted to the rank of Sargent. During that time he worked as a firearms officer, conducting dawn raids on highly dangerous and often armed gangs in London. He was a keen photographer throughout his time in London, becoming the Photo Editor of the London Student which reached 120,000 readers. He captured the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami from the Indian coastline and freelanced for Metal Hammer and PlayMusic Magazine, which gave him access to some of the biggest bands in the scene, including System of a Down, Deftones and My Chemical Romance, all of which he photographed. He frequented Reading and Download Festivals as an official press photographer and even took his camera on the 3 Peaks Challenge, photographing some very cold Met Police officers at 1,344 metres at the top of Ben Nevis. 

After the Met Police he went to Sandhurst, graduating in 2012 to join the Royal Military Police regiment, where he was decorated for his service. During this period he helped close down the largest British base in Germany, JHQ Rheindahlen, before training young squadron recruits at ATC Pirbright, for many of whom he acted as legal guardian. He then completed his Special Investigations Branch course in Portsmouth before transferring to Colchester. His operations during this period were covert but by the time he left the army in 2015 he had reached the rank of acting Captain. His earlier army reports read "you would not be alone if you mistakenly thought Naresh was already Captain as he already has the leadership and values that one would consider of a Captain… his moral compass points North."

After he retired from the military he worked as a First Responder for the East of England Ambulance Trust before moving back to New York in 2015. During that time he also completed the University of Cambridge Judge Business School financial management course. In New York he worked as an IT Consultant at IBM, before joining the 1-800 Flowers team. From 2016 up to the time of his death he volunteered with the Atlantic Steamers Fire Co. No. 1. as a firefighter and was also a member of their dive rescue team. He assisted recruiting and training volunteers for the dive rescue team, completing his last dive just before he passed. In May 2018 he was awarded for being the most active and responsive firefighter in the team. 

At his funeral his fellow firefighters hung a huge flag for him from the ladders of their fire engines as a mark of their respect. Throughout his life his selfless volunteering and willingness to put his own life at risk to help others, touched the hearts of very many. He was a true gentleman, polite and considerate to others. 

At school, he was well-turned out and highly intelligent. He was a founding member of the school band Evanizen and took great enjoyment in organising and performing in music concerts at the college. He booked out the QEII theatre for one night and filled the stage with hundreds of lilies in order to host and perform in a Nirvana Unplugged concert in front of a full audience. He never quite finished his English Literature set text because he had no interest in its author. He will be very much missed by those he has left behind, including his soul-mate and sister Maya, his mother Marian and father Edward."

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