Dr. Harnish Vinaychandra Shah

Dr. Harnish Vinaychandra Shah Dr. Shah passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 86, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in 1939 in Kadi, India, the eldest of seven siblings, and from an early age demonstrated the intelligence and determination that would shape his life and career. Born to a family of very modest means, he grew up without electricity, studying by the uneven flicker of kerosene lamps. He graduated from Baroda Medical College, after which he emigrated to the United States in 1964 to begin his postgraduate medical training. After completing his internship and residency in pediatrics in Philadelphia, he pursued advanced pediatric training at Boston Children's Hospital while publishing research on cystic fibrosis at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Shah married his wife, Sonal, in 1967. Together they returned to India for several years before ultimately coming back to the United States in pursuit of greater opportunities for their immediate and extended families. They settled in Reading, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Shah served as Chief of Pediatrics for nearly 30 years at Community General Hospital, building a reputation as a deeply trusted physician and leader. He brought innovative approaches to medicine, such as enhancing the role of midwives in hospital and home settings. He was known for solving difficult and complex cases, often serving as the community’s last call before families were referred to larger medical centers far from home. Over the course of his career, he made lasting medical contributions related to the treatment of asthma in children. Dr. Shah’s life traced the arc of a changing world. He was born in India during the final years of British colonial rule and came of age in a newly independent nation. When he arrived in the United States in the 1960s, fewer than 15,000 Indian immigrants lived in the country. Through intellect, discipline, and extraordinary determination, he achieved the American Dream and enjoyed all that came with it. Yet he never saw that dream as his alone. Over the years, he and Sonal welcomed many friends, relatives, and young immigrants into their home to begin lives of their own in America. He felt a deep responsibility for those who followed him and took immense pride in their accomplishments. All who met Dr. Shah will remember the quiet strength of his character and the high standards to which he held himself and others. Those who knew him well will also recall a man of refined and sometimes surprising tastes: a deep appreciation for classical music, landscapes, and above all gastronomy, where his palate was far ahead of its time. He maintained a lifelong fascination with investing, which he regarded as his only true hobby. Family and friends will remember his pride in personal appearance, an ability to take his daily nap on almost any available surface, and the wry, gentle humor that would appear unexpectedly in lighter moments. He shared 59 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Sonal Shah. Together they built a life grounded in hard work, generosity, and devotion to family. He is survived by Sonal, his daughter Shefali (Manish), sons Sachin (Raj) and Neil (Agne), grandsons: Deven, Tej, Sid and granddaughters: Sarika, Kirina, and Layla. He serves as a continuing inspiration to all and will also be missed by his large extended family. Family and friends are to gather for the visitation on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. The family will be sharing their words of remembrance from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 West Hassell Rd., (Northeast corner of Barrington Rd.), Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169. The family will be having a private cremation immediately after. If you are unable to attend the visitation in person but would like to attend virtually please CLICK HERE and click on the WEBCASTING VIDEO link. The livestream will start at approximately 10:30 A.M.. In lieu of flowers, in honor of Dr. Harnish Shah’s memory, the family welcomes donations to Reading Hospital Foundation in support of the Children’s Health Center. Contributions may be also sent to P.O. Box 16052, Reading, PA 19612. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos, and videos. For those of you that would have attended services and would like to express your condolences please click on the "Share A Memory" link above and you can leave a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card, please feel free to send it to Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60169 c/o the Family; we will gladly forward it on to the family. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444.

Dr. Harnish Vinaychandra Shah

November 3, 1939 - March 11, 2026