Obituary for Gary Papazian
On Monday, December 21, 2020, Gary Papazian (Sr.) of Bensalem, PA, a loving husband of 66 years and father, passed away from natural causes at the age of 90. Gary is survived by his wife Sonia (Morlian from Troy, NY),and children, Nicole (Gary Jamieson) of Miami, FL, and Gary (Colleen) of Willow Grove, PA.
Gary was born in Salonika (Thessaloniki), Greece, on May 22, 1930, to Suzie (Margosian) and Kevork. He attended the Melkonian Educational Institute, Cyprus, in 1947. To continue his education, he traveled to the United States and attended the Philadelphia Textile School. His story of coming to America consisted of only one suitcase and only one extra set of clothes. He would always remind his children of the financial hardships he endured to make a better life for his family.
When coming to America, Gary's connections to the Armenian community provided his networking ability to find employment and friendships. He has told many stories of working in the Armenian (Hye) hotel in Asbury Park and working in the dry-cleaning industry.
After getting married, Gary served in the United States Army, active duty from 1955 to 1957 in the 3rd Armored Division stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky, until deployed to Germany. He was honorably discharged and took pride in the fact that he served this great country, which he loved.
The dream of owning his own business and starting a nuclear family became a reality. After being an employee of a dry cleaning store, he saved enough money to purchase the business. He lived the American dream once he signed his name as the owner of Frankford Cleaners of Grant Ave, Inc. in 1972. His network also became more extensive, and he became a Master Mason in the Joseph H. Brown Lodge #751 and a 32nd Degree Mason of the Lu Lu Shriners, just recently becoming a 50-year member respectively.
Services and interment will be private due to COVID. This summer, we will hold a celebration of life honoring his legacy.
Please, no flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to:
Holy Trinity Armenian Church
101 Ashmead Rd,
Cheltenham, PA 19012
(215) 663-1600
Gary was born in Salonika (Thessaloniki), Greece, on May 22, 1930, to Suzie (Margosian) and Kevork. He attended the Melkonian Educational Institute, Cyprus, in 1947. To continue his education, he traveled to the United States and attended the Philadelphia Textile School. His story of coming to America consisted of only one suitcase and only one extra set of clothes. He would always remind his children of the financial hardships he endured to make a better life for his family.
When coming to America, Gary's connections to the Armenian community provided his networking ability to find employment and friendships. He has told many stories of working in the Armenian (Hye) hotel in Asbury Park and working in the dry-cleaning industry.
After getting married, Gary served in the United States Army, active duty from 1955 to 1957 in the 3rd Armored Division stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky, until deployed to Germany. He was honorably discharged and took pride in the fact that he served this great country, which he loved.
The dream of owning his own business and starting a nuclear family became a reality. After being an employee of a dry cleaning store, he saved enough money to purchase the business. He lived the American dream once he signed his name as the owner of Frankford Cleaners of Grant Ave, Inc. in 1972. His network also became more extensive, and he became a Master Mason in the Joseph H. Brown Lodge #751 and a 32nd Degree Mason of the Lu Lu Shriners, just recently becoming a 50-year member respectively.
Services and interment will be private due to COVID. This summer, we will hold a celebration of life honoring his legacy.
Please, no flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to:
Holy Trinity Armenian Church
101 Ashmead Rd,
Cheltenham, PA 19012
(215) 663-1600