Boston Globe
April 28 2005


OBITUARIES
Vasken Gostanian, 85, baseball leader
April 28, 2005

Vasken Gostanian of Haverhill, who started a Babe Ruth Baseball
League in Haverhill, died April 20 at Hannah Duston Healthcare Center
in Haverhill. He was 85.


Mr. ''Gus" Gostanian was born in Haverhill on March 17, 1920. He
graduated from Haverhill High School, class of 1938. He served in the
Army during World War II and received the European African Middle
Eastern Service Medal with five Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct
Ribbon, and three Overseas Service Bars.

He worked as a salesman for many years. Mr. Gostanian also played
semi-pro baseball and was president of Haverhill Little League and
Haverhill Pony League. He was instrumental in bringing a Babe Ruth
League to Haverhill.

Mr. Gostanian was a member of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Church in Haverhill. He was also a member of the Haverhill Elks Lodge
and the VFW Lorraine Post 29.

He was the husband of the late Mary (Johnson) Gostanian, who died in
2000. He leaves a son, Gary Gostanian of Bradford; a daughter, Sandra
Arakelian of Fowler, Calif.; a brother, Vaughn Gostanian of
Arlington; a sister, Shirley Mikaelian of Maryland; four
grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.