Ashok Patel

~Loved By All~

Ashok Ishverlal Patel, who passed away on July 15th, 2022, was the beloved husband of Kapila Amin, loving father of the late Chetan, Rakesh (Falguni), and Rupal O’Reilley (Kevin), and adored Dadu to Dev Patel and Sean, Summer, and Emma O’Reilley.

Ashok was born in India on November 19th, 1945, to the late Shantaban Patel and the late Ishwarlal Patel and was blessed with many brothers and sisters; Shoba (Khanti), the late Dilip, Vijay (Bakula), Gita (Ramesh), Ila (the late Manu), Jayesh (Paresha).

Ashok moved to the U.S in the late 1970s and developed an appreciation for Classic Rock music, with Golden Earrings, The Twilight Zone, becoming his favorite song. He also enjoyed ZZ Top, Rush, Yes, and The Who…

He emigrated to the US ahead of Kapila and his children to put down roots for them, working many jobs such as a tool and die mechanic, working on the timer manufacturing line at Price Castle (with the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski), and doing in-house catering until opening his restaurant, Ashoka, in Glendale Heights in 1987 and closing in early 2022. If it weren’t for health reasons, he would not have closed the restaurant. He loved cooking his famous dishes.

Opening Ashoka affected his life in many ways. He was written up in The Daily Herald, and The Chicago Tribune. The restaurant was featured on the Food Network and was famous for his delicious Samosas. More importantly, opening Ashoka allowed him the opportunity to meet people from many different countries and form lasting friendships due to his caring and giving nature. He treated people with the utmost respect and kindness. He made everyone feel welcome and like they were part of the family. Not only was this Food for Life for him, it was also Food for the Soul, as nothing gave him greater pleasure than being able to provide happiness for the people he loved.

Known as “Papa,” he was a grizzly bear on the outside but a teddy bear on the inside. As the eldest of seven, he learned early how to strike fear into people, and no one wanted to disappoint him. With his booming voice and intensity, a typical conversation would strike fear into his grandkids, who wanted to know why Dadu was mad at everyone and hoped they wouldn’t be his next target. Along with that intensity, he also had a great sense of humor; like the first time he met his future White American son-in-law, he was wielding a giant “Psycho” steak knife or the times he added that extra spice to his foods to make the Americans sweat it out a bit.

He was an incredible man who lived a great life and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.