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UNIQUE MEMORIAL DANCE TO BENEFIT DAGLEY CHILDREN
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/09/04/unique-memorial-dance-to-benefit-dagley-children/
September 4, 2012
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-It's being called an event with an extreme purpose.
The late Rev. Haroutiun (Randy) Dagley and his wife Yeretsgin Patty
(Sarkisian) Dagley with their two children, Sona and Sarkis, during
happier times.
Members of the Greater Boston community and beyond will gather for
a memorial dance to benefit two children who were left parentless
after subsequent deaths over the past decade.
The loss of Rev. Haroutiun (Randy) Dagley and his beloved Yeretskin
Patty (Sarkisian) to unrelated illnesses left a distinct void in the
Armenian church. Among the immediate survivors were their two children,
Sona and Sarkis, now 18 and 14, respectively.
A cadre of 12 musicians, including some of the finest performers in
New England, will come together and donate their services this month,
the proceeds of which will benefit the wellbeing and future education
of the Dagley children. A general fund was established on their behalf
at the time of Der Haroutiun's death in 2002.
The extravaganza will take place on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Holy
Trinity Armenian Church, on 145 Brattle St. in Cambridge. Tickets
are $35 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For further
details, please call Becky Megerdichian at (617) 576-3398 or e-mail
[email protected].
Among those volunteering their time are the Arzigian brothers (Bobby
and Johnny), Jay Baronian, Mark DerMugrditchian, Leon Janikian,
Greg Krikorian, Kenny Kalajian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Kevin Margarian,
Leon Manoogian, Bobby Raphaelian, and Greg Takvorian. Not one is
charging a dime.
The idea for such an all-out benefit was conceived by Becky
Megerdichian following her brother's death. When Der Haroutiun's wife
passed on seven years later, she became more determined than ever.
Here on this 10th anniversary, it's become a mission for Becky
in spreading the word and getting the musicians on board playing
staggered shifts throughout the evening.
"I started talking to some of the band members who have been close to
me over the past 30 years, and all were receptive," said Megerdichian.
"They were also dear friends with my brother."
The performers graciously said they were here for Becky and started
to get other musicians to donate their time.
The children are living with an aunt (Sharon Dardarian) in Michigan.
Sona is starting classes at Michigan State University while Sarkis
is beginning his first year of high school.
"Both are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances,"
added Megerdichian. "There is a very large group of friends, family,
and clergy who care deeply for the welfare of these children."
Sona Dagley played in the band at South Lyon East High School. She
was a member of the varsity softball team, a National Honor Society
member, and attended Armenian School and Sunday School classes. Since
the age of 13, she's been a member of the ACYOA and won an overall
women's sportsmanship award at the annual Sports Weekend.
Her younger brother also plays in the school band, travel basketball
team, and baseball, tennis, swimming, and cross-country teams. He's
been on the honor roll and Principal's List every year and already
has a college in mind when he graduates in four years: It's the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge.
Both children would have brought overwhelming pride to their parents,
especially with their roles on the altar-Sarkis as an ordained tibir
and Sona in the choir.
Der Haroutiun grew up attending Baptist and Congregational Church
Sunday Schools but became involved in the Armenian Church at age
19 when the ACYOA seniors of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford,
Mass., were seeking help with a Sports Weekend. Later, he took part
in counseling ACYOA retreats and coached high school track and field.
Ultimately, he made a decision to pastor an Armenian church and began
working at St. James Church in Watertown as a youth director. In 1989,
he married Patricia Ann Anahid Sarkisian, and they were blessed with
two children.
After four years at St. James, he proceeded to study at the
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, after which he served as assistant pastor
of Church of Our Savior in Worcester, launching a career that lasted
just over a decade before his death.
His wife had graduated magna cum laude from Western Michigan University
in 1982 with a degree in occupational therapy. Her professional career
took her to Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, following a stint
in Chicago, and on to various school systems in Cleveland.
After being assigned to St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in
Richmond Heights, Ohio, she became active in the choir, organized a
Women's Guild, taught Sunday School and Armenian dancing, and took
tremendous pride in being the wife of a priest.
Der Haroutiun's brother Nishan followed briefly in his brother's
steps by becoming a sub-deacon at St. Gregory Church in North Andover.
The benefit dance is expected to draw an immense crowd in what will
also act as a tribute to the family.
From: A. Papazian
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/09/04/unique-memorial-dance-to-benefit-dagley-children/
September 4, 2012
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-It's being called an event with an extreme purpose.
The late Rev. Haroutiun (Randy) Dagley and his wife Yeretsgin Patty
(Sarkisian) Dagley with their two children, Sona and Sarkis, during
happier times.
Members of the Greater Boston community and beyond will gather for
a memorial dance to benefit two children who were left parentless
after subsequent deaths over the past decade.
The loss of Rev. Haroutiun (Randy) Dagley and his beloved Yeretskin
Patty (Sarkisian) to unrelated illnesses left a distinct void in the
Armenian church. Among the immediate survivors were their two children,
Sona and Sarkis, now 18 and 14, respectively.
A cadre of 12 musicians, including some of the finest performers in
New England, will come together and donate their services this month,
the proceeds of which will benefit the wellbeing and future education
of the Dagley children. A general fund was established on their behalf
at the time of Der Haroutiun's death in 2002.
The extravaganza will take place on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Holy
Trinity Armenian Church, on 145 Brattle St. in Cambridge. Tickets
are $35 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For further
details, please call Becky Megerdichian at (617) 576-3398 or e-mail
[email protected].
Among those volunteering their time are the Arzigian brothers (Bobby
and Johnny), Jay Baronian, Mark DerMugrditchian, Leon Janikian,
Greg Krikorian, Kenny Kalajian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Kevin Margarian,
Leon Manoogian, Bobby Raphaelian, and Greg Takvorian. Not one is
charging a dime.
The idea for such an all-out benefit was conceived by Becky
Megerdichian following her brother's death. When Der Haroutiun's wife
passed on seven years later, she became more determined than ever.
Here on this 10th anniversary, it's become a mission for Becky
in spreading the word and getting the musicians on board playing
staggered shifts throughout the evening.
"I started talking to some of the band members who have been close to
me over the past 30 years, and all were receptive," said Megerdichian.
"They were also dear friends with my brother."
The performers graciously said they were here for Becky and started
to get other musicians to donate their time.
The children are living with an aunt (Sharon Dardarian) in Michigan.
Sona is starting classes at Michigan State University while Sarkis
is beginning his first year of high school.
"Both are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances,"
added Megerdichian. "There is a very large group of friends, family,
and clergy who care deeply for the welfare of these children."
Sona Dagley played in the band at South Lyon East High School. She
was a member of the varsity softball team, a National Honor Society
member, and attended Armenian School and Sunday School classes. Since
the age of 13, she's been a member of the ACYOA and won an overall
women's sportsmanship award at the annual Sports Weekend.
Her younger brother also plays in the school band, travel basketball
team, and baseball, tennis, swimming, and cross-country teams. He's
been on the honor roll and Principal's List every year and already
has a college in mind when he graduates in four years: It's the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge.
Both children would have brought overwhelming pride to their parents,
especially with their roles on the altar-Sarkis as an ordained tibir
and Sona in the choir.
Der Haroutiun grew up attending Baptist and Congregational Church
Sunday Schools but became involved in the Armenian Church at age
19 when the ACYOA seniors of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford,
Mass., were seeking help with a Sports Weekend. Later, he took part
in counseling ACYOA retreats and coached high school track and field.
Ultimately, he made a decision to pastor an Armenian church and began
working at St. James Church in Watertown as a youth director. In 1989,
he married Patricia Ann Anahid Sarkisian, and they were blessed with
two children.
After four years at St. James, he proceeded to study at the
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, after which he served as assistant pastor
of Church of Our Savior in Worcester, launching a career that lasted
just over a decade before his death.
His wife had graduated magna cum laude from Western Michigan University
in 1982 with a degree in occupational therapy. Her professional career
took her to Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, following a stint
in Chicago, and on to various school systems in Cleveland.
After being assigned to St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in
Richmond Heights, Ohio, she became active in the choir, organized a
Women's Guild, taught Sunday School and Armenian dancing, and took
tremendous pride in being the wife of a priest.
Der Haroutiun's brother Nishan followed briefly in his brother's
steps by becoming a sub-deacon at St. Gregory Church in North Andover.
The benefit dance is expected to draw an immense crowd in what will
also act as a tribute to the family.
From: A. Papazian