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ANDRANIK MESROBIAN: 1960-2011
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/09/29/andranik-mesrobian-1960-2011/
Thu, Sep 29 2011
By: Betty Apigian-Kessel
Richly Lived, All Too Brief Life
There are times I wish I was a kid again, riding my blue and white
Western Flyer bike down the Prospect St. hill-no hands-feeling the
breeze on my youthful face, with not a care in the world. Instead,
I am beyond middle age and reminded of just how vulnerable we are as
humans. Death has come knocking and within the short span of a month,
two of my dear ungerouhis have borne the burden of burying their sons.
Early morning phone calls delivered the shocking and sobering news
that Andranik "Andy" Mesrobian, the son of Seta and the late Verdi
Mesrobian, had passed away on Sept. 14, just days before his 51st
birthday. A massive heart attack cut the handsome young man down in
the prime of his life, leaving his bride of only five years, Lynn
Darmon, a bereaved widow and her children, Alexandra and Daniel,
without their cherished dad.
Andy had been a member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF),
attended the St. Sarkis Sunday School program, and become a member of
the church's Boy Scout Troup, attaining the "Life Scout" status. Later
he served in the Navy during the Gulf War.
Andy and Lynn had successfully joined their Christian and Jewish faiths
to find marital bliss, and one marveled at how the khnamees (in-laws)
became a unified family. It is said that Andy was completely devoted to
his loved ones, making each of them the object of his direct attention.
Everyone in our circle has adult children, and we were filled with
dread at the unexpected news and how it would affect our long-time
friend Seta. The Lord had called Andy home because, as Rev. Fr. Daron
Stepanian of St. Sarkis Church stated, "He needed the assistance of
a good manager up there and Andy was His choice." Andy's life career
was as a project manager in computer technology.
You could feel the heaviness of Andy's death at Dan Gark services.
Hundreds filled the funeral home. The faces of his peer group showed
their distress and disbelief. Shoulders sagged along with their
spirits, driving home the reality that their carefree youthful days
were truly far behind them. How could this happen to such a vital,
young, fun-loving man who, it was said, lived life fully and with
passion?
Close family friend George Mouradian, Andy's former scout master,
spoke eloquently at Dan Gark services. With voice breaking, he said
Andy had been like a son to him, and told of his mischievous comedic
antics that were a cause for laughter among his fellow scouts.
Among the many floral tributes and photos on display, one item in
particular raised the bar of emotion-Andy's boyhood scout shirt neatly
laden with badges and medals. There it was, on a hanger longing to
be hugged, the perfect memento of a mother's perfect love for a child.
The celebrant recited a poignant saying that a mother should never
have to witness the burial of a child. "Let my heart be eaten by
jackals before my mother sees my death."
Saturday morning the sanctuary of the church was filled with mourners
anxious to be present before Andy's earthly presence departed. His
spirit had already risen to be with his father Verdi. The 85-year-old
and the 50-year-old would surely already be sitting down to a game
of tavlou. Der Hayr said, "The chain had been broken on earth but
that Andy was now with his father and all the ancestors who preceded
him to everlasting life. May God give strength and patience to those
left behind."
It was appropriate that Der Daron told of the similarities of the
Armenian and Jewish people, both coming from ancient and cultured
legacies, and both suffering devastating histories.
"Der Voghormiah, Der Voghormiah, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy."
Tearful mourners rose as Andy's casket began its final journey toward
the exit of the church he loved. The once-cloudy overcast day broke
into bright sunlight when Andy entered the foyer-a hopeful sign as
there always is at a funeral, reassuring loved ones to remain firm
in their faith that the Lord has promised resurrection and triumph
over death. "He is in a better place," intoned the priest.
Noticeable was the massive bouquet of red roses, with "To Husband"
on the casket from his shattered young widow Lynn. Everyone understood
how the days ahead would be dark ones for her.
Andy was followed down the aisle by his longtime friends, now his
pallbearers, Michael Halajian, Vaughn Mouradian, Serop Almasian,
Mike Nranian, brother-in-law Paul Darmon, and family and friends.
Recognizing my anguish, Halajian later wrapped his arms around me
and reassuringly said, "We shall overcome this, too."
Other survivors include Andy's sister, Margaret (Edward) Lutz and son
Alexander, Anahit Mesrobian, and his in-laws William and Suzy Darmon,
and many family and friends.
Out of towners included loyal friends Patrick Keyorian from Chicago
and Kim (Krikorian) Tatoian from East Aurora, N.Y. Kim had remained
"one of the guys" since their early AYF days.
Andranik's final resting place is near his father Verdi in Detroit's
Woodmere Cemetery. Memorial tributes are for St. Sarkis Church and
Temple Beth Ahm. Funeral arrangements were by the Simon Javizian
Funeral Home.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/09/29/andranik-mesrobian-1960-2011/
Thu, Sep 29 2011
By: Betty Apigian-Kessel
Richly Lived, All Too Brief Life
There are times I wish I was a kid again, riding my blue and white
Western Flyer bike down the Prospect St. hill-no hands-feeling the
breeze on my youthful face, with not a care in the world. Instead,
I am beyond middle age and reminded of just how vulnerable we are as
humans. Death has come knocking and within the short span of a month,
two of my dear ungerouhis have borne the burden of burying their sons.
Early morning phone calls delivered the shocking and sobering news
that Andranik "Andy" Mesrobian, the son of Seta and the late Verdi
Mesrobian, had passed away on Sept. 14, just days before his 51st
birthday. A massive heart attack cut the handsome young man down in
the prime of his life, leaving his bride of only five years, Lynn
Darmon, a bereaved widow and her children, Alexandra and Daniel,
without their cherished dad.
Andy had been a member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF),
attended the St. Sarkis Sunday School program, and become a member of
the church's Boy Scout Troup, attaining the "Life Scout" status. Later
he served in the Navy during the Gulf War.
Andy and Lynn had successfully joined their Christian and Jewish faiths
to find marital bliss, and one marveled at how the khnamees (in-laws)
became a unified family. It is said that Andy was completely devoted to
his loved ones, making each of them the object of his direct attention.
Everyone in our circle has adult children, and we were filled with
dread at the unexpected news and how it would affect our long-time
friend Seta. The Lord had called Andy home because, as Rev. Fr. Daron
Stepanian of St. Sarkis Church stated, "He needed the assistance of
a good manager up there and Andy was His choice." Andy's life career
was as a project manager in computer technology.
You could feel the heaviness of Andy's death at Dan Gark services.
Hundreds filled the funeral home. The faces of his peer group showed
their distress and disbelief. Shoulders sagged along with their
spirits, driving home the reality that their carefree youthful days
were truly far behind them. How could this happen to such a vital,
young, fun-loving man who, it was said, lived life fully and with
passion?
Close family friend George Mouradian, Andy's former scout master,
spoke eloquently at Dan Gark services. With voice breaking, he said
Andy had been like a son to him, and told of his mischievous comedic
antics that were a cause for laughter among his fellow scouts.
Among the many floral tributes and photos on display, one item in
particular raised the bar of emotion-Andy's boyhood scout shirt neatly
laden with badges and medals. There it was, on a hanger longing to
be hugged, the perfect memento of a mother's perfect love for a child.
The celebrant recited a poignant saying that a mother should never
have to witness the burial of a child. "Let my heart be eaten by
jackals before my mother sees my death."
Saturday morning the sanctuary of the church was filled with mourners
anxious to be present before Andy's earthly presence departed. His
spirit had already risen to be with his father Verdi. The 85-year-old
and the 50-year-old would surely already be sitting down to a game
of tavlou. Der Hayr said, "The chain had been broken on earth but
that Andy was now with his father and all the ancestors who preceded
him to everlasting life. May God give strength and patience to those
left behind."
It was appropriate that Der Daron told of the similarities of the
Armenian and Jewish people, both coming from ancient and cultured
legacies, and both suffering devastating histories.
"Der Voghormiah, Der Voghormiah, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy."
Tearful mourners rose as Andy's casket began its final journey toward
the exit of the church he loved. The once-cloudy overcast day broke
into bright sunlight when Andy entered the foyer-a hopeful sign as
there always is at a funeral, reassuring loved ones to remain firm
in their faith that the Lord has promised resurrection and triumph
over death. "He is in a better place," intoned the priest.
Noticeable was the massive bouquet of red roses, with "To Husband"
on the casket from his shattered young widow Lynn. Everyone understood
how the days ahead would be dark ones for her.
Andy was followed down the aisle by his longtime friends, now his
pallbearers, Michael Halajian, Vaughn Mouradian, Serop Almasian,
Mike Nranian, brother-in-law Paul Darmon, and family and friends.
Recognizing my anguish, Halajian later wrapped his arms around me
and reassuringly said, "We shall overcome this, too."
Other survivors include Andy's sister, Margaret (Edward) Lutz and son
Alexander, Anahit Mesrobian, and his in-laws William and Suzy Darmon,
and many family and friends.
Out of towners included loyal friends Patrick Keyorian from Chicago
and Kim (Krikorian) Tatoian from East Aurora, N.Y. Kim had remained
"one of the guys" since their early AYF days.
Andranik's final resting place is near his father Verdi in Detroit's
Woodmere Cemetery. Memorial tributes are for St. Sarkis Church and
Temple Beth Ahm. Funeral arrangements were by the Simon Javizian
Funeral Home.
From: Baghdasarian