Obituary of Joseph Manickavasagam

Dr. Joseph Manickavasagam of Great Falls, Virginia, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Inova Fairfax Hospital.  He leaves behind his devoted wife, Florence; his son, Simeon; his daughter, Malini; his son-in-law, Michael K. Greene; and his grandson, Evan.

Dr. Manickavasagam was born on July 16, 1942 in Malaysia.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Otago, New Zealand.  He was proud of serving the University’s student association and, since his graduation, maintained ties with friends and the University’s alumni association.  Additionally, Dr. Manickavasagam earned a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and his Doctorate degree in management from Henley Management College, University of Brunel, United Kingdom.

During the 1970s in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dr. Manickavasagam held key management positions, first at Tractors Malaysia Berhad, then at multinational corporations such as Exxon (Esso) and Sime Darby Group of Companies.  In these positions, he played a major role in strengthening the country’s private sector. 

Then, in 1981, the World Bank sought and recruited Dr. Manickavasagam to its ranks.  Dr. Manickavasagam was a senior staff of the World Bank – in its Washington DC headquarters as well as overseas – for almost 20 years.  Most notably, from 1992-1997, he served as the Bank’s Resident Representative in Nepal.  In this role, he provided managerial oversight to projects and lending programs and co-chaired the country’s aid group comprised mainly of ambassadors of G7 countries and UN organizations.  Prior to his Nepal mission, Dr. Manickavasagam served the World Bank as Advisor for Operations Decentralization, head of the Bank’s worldwide Training Division, and Personnel Manager for the Africa Region. 

Dr. Manickavasagam remained a scholar in his field after his retirement from the World Bank, teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park and publishing on the subject.  He “remained the bright enquiring and engaging man” as always.  He kept abreast of global affairs, business and politics and enjoyed healthy debates with family and friends on these and other subjects.

To the end, Dr. Manickavasagam cherished his friends and family.  He will be so dearly missed for his unparalleled devotion to family, wry sense of humor, challenging intellectual and political conversation, and wine enthusiasm.  “He was a man, take him for all in all.  I shall not look upon his like again.”

Dr. Joseph Manickavasagam, PhD.

Given by God on July 16^th, 1942.

Called home by God on March 11^th, 2018

May he rest in peace and happiness in Heaven for all eternity.