With 19-year-old Jose Lorance’s death on Friday, the city has lost an exceptional talent in mnemonics. Lorance, who was badly injured in a vehicle mishap on the Kowdiar-Vellayambalam stretch on December 23, was battling for his life at a private hospital in the city.
Jose Lorance aka ‘Memory Jose’ had hit headlines as a wonder kid right from his school days. His amazing memory power helped him to recall up to 300 words in the same order as told to him. More surprising was his ability to recall the position of a particular word on the verbal listing.
A third semester student of Mar Baselios Engineering College, Jose had won several honours for his mnemonics skills.
Jose also proved his engineering and mechanical skills with which he made some curious inventions, including an automatic water controller and low-cost air conditioner. His pastimes also included drawing, swimming, painting and driving.
Jose was an alumni of VSSC Central School, Christ Nagar School and St Joseph Model Higher Secondary School, Kuriachira, Thrissur.
Jose is survived by parents Lorance (VSSC engineer) and Rani (Dependo Home Appliances, Kazhakkoottam).
Mar Baselios Engineering College Bursar Fr Wilson Thattaruthundil said his college had lost a talented student. ‘’Lorance’s memory power was amazing. He was an asset to our institution,’’ he said.
Lorance was buried at the Emmaus Church cemetery, Sreekaryam, on Sunday afternoon in the presence of hundreds of tearful mourners comprising his relatives, friends and teachers.