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Andranik Mesrobian: 1960-2011

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  • Andranik Mesrobian: 1960-2011

    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
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