*Kevork Keushkerian*
Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Los Angeles Chapter had the creative idea to honor the memories of several of the prominent members of Tekeyan Cultural Association who had passed away. Those departed members had served the Association in various capacities to make a difference in the organization’s mission and vision in the Diaspora.
This one of a kind memorial took place on Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. at the Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Beshgeturian Center in Altadena. The immediate family members of those departed were invited to this gathering, which started with a light buffet dinner.
Vatche Semerdjian, Chairman of TCA Los Angeles Chapter, welcomed the guests and then invited Master of Ceremonies Dikran Ekizian to introduce the speakers, who were there to present the lives and achievements of the deceased honorees.
Vartkes Kourouyan enumerated the world events that coincided with Kevork Kupelian’s birth in 1947. In that year, a peace accord was finally signed to end World War II, meanwhile, the renowned leader, Gandhi, embarked on his equally significant “March toward peace.” Kevork Kupelian was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1947. After graduating from the elementary school there, he went to Jerusalem to study at the Patriarchate Seminary for a while.
Kevork Kupelian immigrated to the United States in 1971, and settled in Los Angeles. He was very active in the community, serving St. John Armenian Church as Deacon and also on the Parish Council as treasurer. He was a member of the Armenian Democratic Liberal party and Tekeyan Cultural Association for 20 years until his untimely passing away in 1996.
Parsegh Kartalian depicted the life of Anahid Orchanian-Basmadjian as being the first female involved in many endeavors. She was the first Armenian woman to attend the prestigious Sacred Heart School in Alexandria and then the first female to graduate from the renowned Alexandria School of Pharmacy. In Los Angeles and later in Montreal, Anahid Orchanian-Basmadjian became to be known as a compassionate community activist in the ranks of the Armenian Democratic Liberal party and Tekeyan Cultural Association. She was loved and respected by everyone. She passed away in 1997, at the young age of 53, after a long and courageous fight with cancer.
“Nor Or” former editor Minas Kojayan presented former “Nor Or” Editor Hagop Boghosian’s life and personal traits, which made him who he was. Mr. Kojayan’s prepared text was read by his wife Nazig, as Minas had gone to Jerusalem to continue his calling as an educator and editor for the Patriarchate magazine at the beginning of the current school year.
Hagop Boghosian and Minas Kojayan both attended Beirut’s AGBU Hovagimian-Manoogian High School. After graduating from High School, Minas went to Armenia to further his education in Armenian studies, whereas Hagop attended The American University of Beirut. His writing career started in Beirut, when he began to contribute to Zartonk’s Sports Section.
In the United States, he became the Editor of “Nor Or” from 1990-96. During his tenure as Editor of “Nor Or”, ADL’s semi-weekly newspaper rose to unprecedented heights, as it became the most sought after paper for his bold political commentaries. After Armenia’s independence in 1991, Hagop Boghosian became an independent TV Commentator, known and respected for his political views and analysis of current events in Armenia. He passed away in 2001.
Juliet Bidinian-Chahinian’s life was presented by Maral Vosgian. Juliet was the driving force in TCA/Los Angeles Chapter’s social activities. She was a perfectionist, who demanded the best out of everyone. She worked as a pharmacy technician for Kaiser Permanente for 23 years, and was very compassionate towards the clients she served and towards her fellow workers as well. She passed away in 2006.
Avedis Manougian, who passed away in 2008, was presented by the writer of this article. Avedis was born in Alexandretta, Turkey. At a young age, he was relocated with his family to Aleppo, Syria. After graduating from Guiligian elementary school there, he continued his education at Melkonian educational institute in Nicosia, Cyprus. His first business venture took him to Cameroon, where he stayed for 5 years.
After returning to Beirut, he married Anahid Dardaghanian and in 1966, they immigrated to the United States. He first worked for ADL Baikar Press in Boston as a typesetter and upon moving to Los Angeles, he continued his typesetting work at ADL “Nor Or” semi-weekly. He later became an entrepreneur, owning and running a gas station.
Avedis Manougian was instrumental in founding the TCA Beshgeturian center in Altadena and became its chairman of the board for 20 long years. He was also elected to TCA Central Board of North America and Canada for 5 consecutive years.
Next, Lora Kuyumjian took to the podium to present Harout Yeretzian’s colorful life. Harout attended AGBU/Hovagimian-Manoogian High School, then went to Yerevan to study at Armenian University’s Institute of Dramatic Arts. Upon returning to Beirut, he formed the Vahram Adjemian Theatre Group with his best friend Loutfig Tabakian.
Harout was most remembered in Los Angeles, where he opened Abril bookstore and later published Abril periodical, which was a sought after literary magazine. His impeccable taste in art, hard work, and excellence in graphic design took him to AGBU’s Ardavazt Theatre Group, where he was able to shape its publications to his meticulous satisfaction. Same goes for TCA Los Angeles Chapter, where he is dearly missed upon his passing away in 2010.
Hagop Altounian, who died in 2012, was remembered by Ara Aharonian. Hagop graduated from Melkonian Educational Institute and became a teacher. He immigrated to the United States in 1975, furthered his studies and became a statistician. As a statistician, he worked for the Glendale Police department for 29 years. He was loved and respected by everyone for his hard work and pursuit of excellence.
Hagop Altounian also served as treasurer for St. John Garabed Church in Hollywood for long years and as gratitude for his diligent work, he received the St. Nerces Shnorhali Medal from his Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of all Armenians, in 1996.
Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian was called to the podium for the Benediction. He first read His Eminence Primate Hovnan Derderian’s congratulatory remarks to the TCA Los Angeles Chapter for this memorial and then offered the closing prayer.
