Hosep Atechian

Hosep Atechian, 69, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a long struggle with illness.

Hosep is remembered by family and friends as a warm, kind person, who was generous with his time and effort, consistently thoughtful, patient, and humorous, and hardworking throughout many struggles.

Hosep began his life in Aleppo, Syria, born to parents Hagop Atashian and Siranoushe Barbarian Atashian. Though he spent his early years in Syria, and then Lebanon, Hosep was surrounded by the Armenian traditions of his heritage, from his singing at St. Hagop Armenian Church to his years of scouting with the Armenian Youth Federation. Embraced by the love of his parents, and the constant companionship of his sister, Hosep was formed into the empathetic, upright person he would become known as.

Having finished his studies at Central Armenian High School, Hosep began to study physics at Lebanese University, only for his academic dreams to be cut short by the death of his father and the need to care for his family. It was then that Hosep took on the trade that would define his life for the next fifty years, that of a goldsmith and jeweler.

After spending his summers growing up by his father’s side, learning and working across the street from home at his father’s small shop, Hosep had sufficiently mastered his craft to set out on his own. His skills in this work, from making unique designs to order to casting and completing large numbers of artistic pieces, would ease his journey from Lebanon to the United States, and open doors to the close bonds he made with friends at Hannoush Jewelry.

When war forced Hosep to move around the globe to California, he spent time living among cousins in Los Angeles before moving to Massachusetts, where he met his wife of many years, Irina. Together they raised two children, whom Hosep would often take on adventures to the ocean, the forest, and to more indoor locations, like Chuck E Cheese. He made time to regularly visit his niece and nephew abroad, arriving with arms full of gifts and leaving behind memories full of excitement and affection.

Hosep was full of enthusiasm. He followed sports for many years, paying attention to the progress of the L.A. Lakers, whatever football team was playing, and the World Cup, especially when Brazil took on Italy. His version of Thanksgiving stuffing, Hashweh rice with ground meat and pine nuts, is just one sensory memory his family has of his passionate cooking. Most of all, he loved spending time with the people close to him.

Hosep is survived by his wife, Irina, and his son, Peter, who miss his everyday presence in their lives. He will also be missed by his sister Mary, niece, Aline, and nephew, Krikor, who remember him as a pillar, a giver, and a source of joy. Hosep also leaves behind stepdaughter Sophia, son-in-law Dcn. John Adrian, and granddaughter Elizabeth, to whom he was always loving and playful.

To know Hosep was to know generosity without limits, empathy without conditions, and love without end. He leaves behind not just memories, but a legacy—of integrity, of laughter, of golden moments that will never tarnish.

Family and friends are welcomed to a celebration of Hosep's life with visiting hours on Thursday, July 17th from 5:00-7:00pm at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 18th at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605 at 11:00am. Burial will follow.