It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Vallakalil Mathew, fondly known as Kunju, who departed peacefully at home today at the age of 76, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Dr. Mathew was one of the first-generation Malayalees to settle in the UK, where he built a distinguished career in psychiatry and became a pillar of the community. A man of exceptional intelligence and deep compassion, he was known for his soft-spoken nature, dedication to patient care, and quiet generosity.
He lived in Bexley, Kent, where he spent most of his professional life.
Born in Kurattissery, a village in Alappuzha district, Kerala, Dr. Mathew’s academic journey began at Madras Christian College School and continued through Kerala University. He earned his medical degree from Alappuzha Medical College. His passion for teaching and advancing mental healthcare saw him take up key academic roles, including serving as a professor at King’s College London and as a visiting professor at Kottayam Medical College.
Dr. Mathew was recognised not only for his clinical excellence but also for his innovative contributions to the NHS. One notable achievement was his award-winning work in reducing clinic waiting times at Littlebrook Hospital, Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford — the clinic he helped establish.
His dedication extended well beyond medicine. Dr. Mathew was an active member of the Indian Orthodox Christian community in London from as early as the mid-1980s. In the 1990s, he played a key role in drafting the constitution of the church. In the 2000s and 2010s, he worked tirelessly to help secure the first Indian Orthodox Church in the UK and Europe, located in Brockley. He was deeply involved in negotiations with Church of England authorities — and his diplomatic skill and perseverance were instrumental in achieving this milestone.
In an extraordinary act of personal sacrifice and commitment, Dr. Mathew remortgaged his own fully paid-off home to help clear the mortgage on the Brockley church in one payment. His courage and wholehearted willingness to support the church in such a bold and selfless way is both inspiring and historic — a contribution that deserves to be recorded in the historical records of the church and commemorated with a plaque in his honour.
Though in later years he and his family may not have been regular attendees, those who knew him will remember his earlier decades of active involvement and his sincere participation in church life.
Dr. Mathew was also engaged in charitable work in Kerala, always seeking ways to give back to the community that shaped him. His loss is deeply felt across both the UK Malayalee diaspora and his native Kerala.
He is survived by his beloved wife Leela and his sons, Arun and Anup.
A remarkable professional, a kind soul, and a cherished father, husband, and friend — Dr. Mathew’s legacy of compassion, service, and excellence will continue to inspire all who knew him.
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