Earl Alexander Sukhraj
October 10, 1950 — December 8, 2024
On December 8, 2024, Earl Alexander Sukhraj passed away in Delray Beach, Florida at the age of 74. Earl was born on October 10, 1950, in Uitvlugt, Guyana to Robert and Shirley Sookraj. Earl attended high school in Georgetown, Guyana. In 1965, Earl became an integral part of the family business as manager of the Georgetown Metropole Cinema, where he helped provide oversight of the operations of the theater, including film procurement, running of the movie projectors, advertising and film promotions, and supervision of theater staff.
In 1966, Earl was transported to England to receive medical treatment for a serious leg injury he sustained in a motorcycle accident. Earl was hospitalized for nine months while he received treatment and was forced to take medical leave from his academic and professional pursuits. After Earl was discharged from the hospital, he promptly enrolled in college in London to continue his education.
In 1968, Earl returned to Guyana to rejoin his family’s growing cinema business, this time leading the operations and financial management of not just one, but nine cinemas throughout the country.
In 1970, the family business continued to experience both domestic and international growth, including the addition of multiple cinemas in Trinidad and Tobago. As part of this expansion, Earl relocated to Trinidad to serve as general manager of the family’s chain of cinemas in that country. It was there that Earl met Kamini Lalchan. They later married in 1973 and went on to raise four daughters: Kavita, Amrita, Elanie, and Alex.
In 1979, the family business expanded to the United States with the opening of three cinemas in Indio and Blythe, California. Earl managed all of them until 1984. It was around this time that home video capability became more prevalent, so Earl relocated his family to Boca Raton, Florida, and opened his first video rental store, “Video Sensation,” in Pompano Beach, Florida. He later opened a location in Boca Raton and operated both stores until his retirement.
Although Earl faced many uphill battles throughout his life, he tackled every challenge head-on and made the most of any opportunities he was given. He navigated the obstacles he faced with hard work, determination, pride and dignity. Through the end, Earl was a very proud man. He was proud of the family business he and his beloved father, Robert, built together, proud of the family he and Kamini raised in the United States, and proud to simply be a man of integrity and strong conviction. Because of his perseverance, Earl went on to not only achieve entrepreneurial success, but most importantly, to excel at being a wonderful and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Shirley, and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kamini; daughters Kavita Sookrajh of Lake Mary, Florida, Amrita (Bryan) McRae of Charlotte, North Carolina, Elanie Yturralde of Parkland, Florida, and Alex (David) Masek of Boynton Beach, Florida; sisters Lea Banwell of Chiswick, England and Kay Donna Singh of Orlando, Florida; and six grandchildren Isabella, Ava, Emma, Ozzy, Chase, and Leena.
Earl was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. While his passing has left a hole in our hearts, we find comfort in knowing that he is at peace and in a much better place now. Until we all meet again, Earl, be sure to save us a seat in that big movie theater up in the sky…you supply the projector, and we’ll bring the popcorn! God Bless and Godspeed.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please celebrate Earl’s life by going to a nearby theater and enjoying a movie with a friend(s) and/or loved one(s). When you do, know that Earl will be sitting there with you in spirit (or perhaps running the movie projector upstairs)!
In 1966, Earl was transported to England to receive medical treatment for a serious leg injury he sustained in a motorcycle accident. Earl was hospitalized for nine months while he received treatment and was forced to take medical leave from his academic and professional pursuits. After Earl was discharged from the hospital, he promptly enrolled in college in London to continue his education.
In 1968, Earl returned to Guyana to rejoin his family’s growing cinema business, this time leading the operations and financial management of not just one, but nine cinemas throughout the country.
In 1970, the family business continued to experience both domestic and international growth, including the addition of multiple cinemas in Trinidad and Tobago. As part of this expansion, Earl relocated to Trinidad to serve as general manager of the family’s chain of cinemas in that country. It was there that Earl met Kamini Lalchan. They later married in 1973 and went on to raise four daughters: Kavita, Amrita, Elanie, and Alex.
In 1979, the family business expanded to the United States with the opening of three cinemas in Indio and Blythe, California. Earl managed all of them until 1984. It was around this time that home video capability became more prevalent, so Earl relocated his family to Boca Raton, Florida, and opened his first video rental store, “Video Sensation,” in Pompano Beach, Florida. He later opened a location in Boca Raton and operated both stores until his retirement.
Although Earl faced many uphill battles throughout his life, he tackled every challenge head-on and made the most of any opportunities he was given. He navigated the obstacles he faced with hard work, determination, pride and dignity. Through the end, Earl was a very proud man. He was proud of the family business he and his beloved father, Robert, built together, proud of the family he and Kamini raised in the United States, and proud to simply be a man of integrity and strong conviction. Because of his perseverance, Earl went on to not only achieve entrepreneurial success, but most importantly, to excel at being a wonderful and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Shirley, and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kamini; daughters Kavita Sookrajh of Lake Mary, Florida, Amrita (Bryan) McRae of Charlotte, North Carolina, Elanie Yturralde of Parkland, Florida, and Alex (David) Masek of Boynton Beach, Florida; sisters Lea Banwell of Chiswick, England and Kay Donna Singh of Orlando, Florida; and six grandchildren Isabella, Ava, Emma, Ozzy, Chase, and Leena.
Earl was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. While his passing has left a hole in our hearts, we find comfort in knowing that he is at peace and in a much better place now. Until we all meet again, Earl, be sure to save us a seat in that big movie theater up in the sky…you supply the projector, and we’ll bring the popcorn! God Bless and Godspeed.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please celebrate Earl’s life by going to a nearby theater and enjoying a movie with a friend(s) and/or loved one(s). When you do, know that Earl will be sitting there with you in spirit (or perhaps running the movie projector upstairs)!
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