Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd Former CEO O Thomas Passes Away

Thomas served Deccan Chronicle for over 50 years and was involved in various aspects of management and publishing as the newspaper rose into a multi-edition organisation. Thomas, who was also the publisher of Deccan Chronicle for several years, had joined Deccan Chronicle in his early 20s and retired in the year 2021.

Thomas worked with three generations of the Deccan Chronicle management. He is also credited with streamlining union activities.

Employees and former staff fondly recalled his personal engagement with them and the interest he took in their welfare and the time he gave them despite his busy schedule as he dealt with various aspects for managing and publishing a newspaper.

He would turn up at personal functions of staff members, including the most junior employees.
Thomas also had a personal engagement with the community. Fr Michael Selvaraj, parish priest of Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, Khairatabad, who was associated with Thomas at the St Sebastian Church, Sainikpuri from 2014-2020 recalled how he was instrumental in building the church at Sainikpuri.


“Thomas helped us in getting clearances from the Army officials and civic authorities. He also used to render help to the poor anonymously and was involved in various charities,” said Fr Selvaraj.


Thomas strived a lot in setting up the Syro Malabar Archdiocese in Shamshabad and was the contact person for priests and nuns in Hyderabad. He was also instrumental in creating an organisation called ‘Action Renewal’ that used to annually conduct spiritual retreats for Malayalis.

A prayer service will be held in Thomas’ memory from 9 am to 12 noon on Monday at his residence, 2B-1, B Block, Kent Hail Garden, Stadium Link Road, Kaloor, Kochi. His mortal remains will be taken to Secunderabad after the prayer service.

In Secunderabad, his body will be kept at his residence, House No. 1-2-180/31, Sai Baba Officers Colony, 3rd Avenue, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad-500084, from 6 pm onwards on Tuesday (May 21) for the people to pay their respects

The prayer service will be held at St Mother Teresa Syro Malabar Church, Yellareddyguda, Kapra, Secunderabad, at 12.30 pm on Wednesday (May 22), which will be followed by a service from 1 pm to 2 pm


The final memorial service will be held at St. Sebastian Church, Defence Colony, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad at 2.30 pm on May 22. The burial will follow after the memorial mass at Valerian Cemetery by 3.30 pm where he will be laid to rest as per his last wishes.

Thomas is survived by his wife Susan Thomas, his children Sebastian Thomas who is in Australia, Dr Sneha Thomas in Kuwait, daughter-in-law Ramya Sebastian, son-in-law Dr Mohan Mathew and grandchildren Zoe and Isabella.

“He will be deeply missed by family and friends and everyone who knew him, but his spirit will live on in our hearts forever,” his son Sebastian Thomas said in a message.