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  • Teshoian gets a warm sendoff

    Teshoian gets a warm sendoff

    Worcester Telegram , MA
    July 15 2006

    By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
    [email protected]

    Retiring Judge Sarkis Teshoian, left, receives the key to the city
    from retired Judge Paul V. Mullaney. (ED COLLIER) Enlarge photo

    I attempted to be understanding and, when warranted, to be
    compassionate, while at the same time trying to honor the oath that I
    had taken to uphold the laws of the commonwealth and the Constitutions
    of the commonwealth and the United States.

    WORCESTER- His stern demeanor on the bench belied an inherent
    compassion and sense of fairness that earned him the respect of his
    peers and the lawyers who appeared before him.

    That was part of the portrait of Judge Sarkis Teshoian that emerged
    yesterday as more than 100 sitting and retired judges, lawyers,
    court employees, friends and family members gathered to wish him a
    happy and healthy retirement.

    A Worcester native and son of Armenian immigrants, Judge Teshoian
    will turn 70 tomorrow, the mandatory retirement age for state court
    judges. Yesterday was his last day on the job.

    "It's a sad day, my friend," said Darlene M. Perro, a sessions
    clerk in Central District Court, where Judge Teshoian was regularly
    assigned over the last several years. Ms. Perro, among those on hand
    in Courtroom 408 to bid Judge Teshoian adieu, described the guest of
    honor as "a man respected by all because he respects all."

    "In 32 years of practicing law, he's as fine a judge as I've been
    before," said lawyer Michael M. Monopoli. "He's consistent and you know
    what to expect when you're before him. He follows the law and does what
    he thinks is right. He's never been affected by the outside pressures."

    Born in Worcester and a product of the city's public school system,
    Judge Teshoian graduated from Clark University and Boston College
    School of Law. He passed the bar in 1962 and was then named secretary
    to Worcester Mayor Paul V. Mullaney, who would also later become a
    district court judge.

    It was while he was working for the mayor that he formed a law firm
    with Mel. L. Greenberg, now a state Appeals Court judge. The two were
    soon joined by lawyer Alexander E. Drapos, who died earlier this week.

    "We didn't make much money, but we had a lot of fun," Judge Greenberg
    told former City Clerk Robert J. O'Keefe at yesterday's gathering.

    "And you were good lawyers," Mr. O'Keefe said.

    Mr. Mullaney, also retired from the bench, presented Judge Teshoian
    with a key to the city yesterday on behalf of Mayor Timothy P. Murray.

    In 1988, Gov. Michael S. Dukakis appointed Judge Teshoian as the
    presiding justice of Uxbridge District Court, a position he held until
    1997. For the last several years, he has generally been assigned to
    his hometown court.

    Regional Administrative Judge Paul F. LoConto, who was master of
    ceremonies at yesterday's retirement party, said Judge Teshoian was
    "a person that all of us went to for advice" and "a mentor and model
    to many, many new judges."

    Judge LoConto said one of the things he admired most about Judge
    Teshoian, who received the Judicial Excellence Award this year at
    the Massachusetts Judges Conference annual dinner, was "his respect
    and his love for his fellow man."

    Chief Probation Officer William P. Mattei spoke of Judge Teshoian's
    integrity, work ethic and willingness to listen.

    "He's very fair to people and when people deserve a break, they get
    a break," Mr. Mattei said.

    "I'm humbled by your presence and I thank you," Judge Teshoian said
    to those gathered in his honor.

    In an earlier interview, Judge Teshoian reflected on his nearly 18
    years on the bench.

    "What I would like to think is that I was fair in the judgments that
    I made. I attempted to be understanding and, when warranted, to be
    compassionate, while at the same time trying to honor the oath that I
    had taken to uphold the laws of the commonwealth and the Constitutions
    of the commonwealth and the United States," he said.

    While he feels he was able to contribute to society and do some good
    as a judge, he said, the job also sometimes left him with a certain
    sense of frustration."When you look at society as a whole, the level
    of civility has diminished. It seems to me that the work ethic that
    was the bedrock of this country developing is being eroded," Judge
    Teshoian said. As times have changed, judges have increasingly been
    called upon to try to modify behavior, according to the judge. "And
    that is an extremely difficult goal to achieve," he said.

    Although he has no specific plans for retirement at the moment,
    Judge Teshoian said he was looking forward to just taking it easy
    and spending more time with his wife of nearly 33 years, Ardemis
    (Afarian) Teshoian, the woman he calls "God's gift to me."

    "I do have mixed feelings," he said of retirement. "I will miss some
    of the camaraderie. I will miss some of the people. But I do think
    it's time for me to move on."
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