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Former Irvine couple killed in car accident abroad
By REBECCA KHEEL and ALYSSA DURANTY
2013-05-12 19:37:54
A newlywed couple who lived in Irvine until they moved to Armenia a
few months ago died in a car accident Friday while traveling in the
country of Georgia.
Allen Yekikian, 28, and Sosé Thomassian, 30, on a road trip with a
driver from Armenia to the country of Georgia. Yekikian died in the
accident, and Thomassian died at the hospital during surgery,
according to a news release from the American University of Armenia in
Yerevan, where Yekikian worked.
"We are all devastated by this immense loss and offer our deepest
condolences to Allen's and Sosé's families and friends," the news
release reads.
Hrache Novruzyan, a close friend of the couple, said Sunday that
Yekikian and Thomassian were both heavily-involved with the
Armenian-American community and met at an Armenian Youth Federation
convention in 2008 in Glendale and were madly in love with each other
and their heritage.
"They were both very driven," Novruzyan said. "People should know that
they were happy people with absolutely no regrets or complaints."
Novruzyan said it came as no surprise when the couple had a
traditional wedding in Armenia.
"We thought it was so insane," she said. "They put so much detail into
the wedding. They had their wedding bands handmade in Armenia with
each others initials engraved inside."
Many members, friends and family were aware of the destination wedding
and some attended the American reception they held after the
destination wedding in Los Angeles.
Aram Hamperian, the executive director of the D.C.-based lobbying
group Armenian National Committee of America, met Yekikian while he
worked with the committee in Glendale and kept in contact with the
couple through community events.
"[The wedding] was the social event of the season," Hamperian said.
Yekikian, who grew up in La Crescenta, and Thomassian, who was born in
Orange County, lived in Irvine for several months after their Aug. 11
wedding before they fulfilled the dreams of most Armenian-Americans by
moving to Armenia, Novruzyan said.
Yekikian got a job as the director of the communications at the
American University of Armenia, which prompted the couple's
journey. They documented their adventures in their new hometown on
their blog How to Make it in Armenia.com.
Hamperian said he wasn't surprised by the couple's decision to
move. Yekikian lived by a quote from an Armenian writer named Raffi:
"While the prudent stand and ponder, the fool has already crossed the
river." It's a quote he ended every email with.
"His point was to do it," Hamperian said of Yekikian. "Be active. Get
involved."
"I think I can speak for most of their friends when I say that we were
excited, envious of their drive to make their dreams come true,"
Novruzyan said. "We weren't surprised because they're the type to do
anything they can make happen," Novruzyan said.
Both were involved in a number of Armenian organizations, including
the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenian Youth
Federation, the Civilitas Foundation and Asbarez, an Armenian
newspaper based in Glendale.
Ara Khachatourian, editor of the English section of Asbarez, became
friends with Yekikian when they worked together on the newspaper. He
met Thomassian through Yekikian, but then also worked with her on a
project to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a program called the
Youth Corp., where children of Armenian descent went to summer camp in
Armenia.
"She just had a natural grace about her, which I thought was very
unique," Khachatourian said of Thomassian. "She had a smile and a
natural elegance to her."
Novruzyan, who spoke to Yekikian three days before the tragedy, said
that the couple planned a weekend trip to the country of Georgia. The
couple's last Facebook posting was about crossing the border, she
said.
Only minimal details had reached the couple's friends and family in
America on Sunday. What is known is that Yekikian, Thomassian and
their driver were all killed due to injuries related to a car
accident. Yekikian died on scene and Thomassian was in a coma for
several hours before passing, Novruzyan said.
"They left behind family and huge community," she said. "They were
amazing mentors and friends."
Khachatourian said he is still in shock that his friends are gone.
"Since Friday," he said, "I've been kind of speechless about
everything that's happened."
Candlelight vigils took place on Friday and Saturday. Services are
being arranged by their families and have not been announced.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3771 or [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
By REBECCA KHEEL and ALYSSA DURANTY
2013-05-12 19:37:54
A newlywed couple who lived in Irvine until they moved to Armenia a
few months ago died in a car accident Friday while traveling in the
country of Georgia.
Allen Yekikian, 28, and Sosé Thomassian, 30, on a road trip with a
driver from Armenia to the country of Georgia. Yekikian died in the
accident, and Thomassian died at the hospital during surgery,
according to a news release from the American University of Armenia in
Yerevan, where Yekikian worked.
"We are all devastated by this immense loss and offer our deepest
condolences to Allen's and Sosé's families and friends," the news
release reads.
Hrache Novruzyan, a close friend of the couple, said Sunday that
Yekikian and Thomassian were both heavily-involved with the
Armenian-American community and met at an Armenian Youth Federation
convention in 2008 in Glendale and were madly in love with each other
and their heritage.
"They were both very driven," Novruzyan said. "People should know that
they were happy people with absolutely no regrets or complaints."
Novruzyan said it came as no surprise when the couple had a
traditional wedding in Armenia.
"We thought it was so insane," she said. "They put so much detail into
the wedding. They had their wedding bands handmade in Armenia with
each others initials engraved inside."
Many members, friends and family were aware of the destination wedding
and some attended the American reception they held after the
destination wedding in Los Angeles.
Aram Hamperian, the executive director of the D.C.-based lobbying
group Armenian National Committee of America, met Yekikian while he
worked with the committee in Glendale and kept in contact with the
couple through community events.
"[The wedding] was the social event of the season," Hamperian said.
Yekikian, who grew up in La Crescenta, and Thomassian, who was born in
Orange County, lived in Irvine for several months after their Aug. 11
wedding before they fulfilled the dreams of most Armenian-Americans by
moving to Armenia, Novruzyan said.
Yekikian got a job as the director of the communications at the
American University of Armenia, which prompted the couple's
journey. They documented their adventures in their new hometown on
their blog How to Make it in Armenia.com.
Hamperian said he wasn't surprised by the couple's decision to
move. Yekikian lived by a quote from an Armenian writer named Raffi:
"While the prudent stand and ponder, the fool has already crossed the
river." It's a quote he ended every email with.
"His point was to do it," Hamperian said of Yekikian. "Be active. Get
involved."
"I think I can speak for most of their friends when I say that we were
excited, envious of their drive to make their dreams come true,"
Novruzyan said. "We weren't surprised because they're the type to do
anything they can make happen," Novruzyan said.
Both were involved in a number of Armenian organizations, including
the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenian Youth
Federation, the Civilitas Foundation and Asbarez, an Armenian
newspaper based in Glendale.
Ara Khachatourian, editor of the English section of Asbarez, became
friends with Yekikian when they worked together on the newspaper. He
met Thomassian through Yekikian, but then also worked with her on a
project to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a program called the
Youth Corp., where children of Armenian descent went to summer camp in
Armenia.
"She just had a natural grace about her, which I thought was very
unique," Khachatourian said of Thomassian. "She had a smile and a
natural elegance to her."
Novruzyan, who spoke to Yekikian three days before the tragedy, said
that the couple planned a weekend trip to the country of Georgia. The
couple's last Facebook posting was about crossing the border, she
said.
Only minimal details had reached the couple's friends and family in
America on Sunday. What is known is that Yekikian, Thomassian and
their driver were all killed due to injuries related to a car
accident. Yekikian died on scene and Thomassian was in a coma for
several hours before passing, Novruzyan said.
"They left behind family and huge community," she said. "They were
amazing mentors and friends."
Khachatourian said he is still in shock that his friends are gone.
"Since Friday," he said, "I've been kind of speechless about
everything that's happened."
Candlelight vigils took place on Friday and Saturday. Services are
being arranged by their families and have not been announced.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3771 or [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress