Kirkor Sahverdiyan

WORCESTER-Kirkor Sahverdiyan, died peacefully in his sleep early Saturday morning with his daughter at his side.

Born in Istanbul Turkey to Vartan and Vartuhi (Asaduryan) Sahverdiyan, he leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Arsine Balian Sahverdiyan, his daughter Alin Sahverdiyan Haxhi, son in law Gildjon Haxhi and their daughters Adela & Loriana, his son Vartan Sahverdiyan, daughter in law Maura Flanagan and their sons Ronan and Tadhg, his niece Ani Sahverdiyan Kambar, of Istanbul Türkiye, and nephews Hrant & Dikran Rakijian, both of Southern California. He is predeceased by his sister Shakeh Sahverdiyan Rakijian and brother Stepan Sahverdiyan.

Originally from Istanbul, Kirkor immigrated to the US in the late sixties after a brief attempt at life in Argentina. He embarked on a life of strenuous labor in the new land, after having been a shoe salesman, for decades, at a glamorous shop in the Historic Covered Bazaar in Istanbul. Fate would bring him much in his new adventure, including his beautiful, young, Armenian bride Arsine, originally from Athens Greece, his two loving children and 25 years of honorable work at Norton Co.

After a somewhat early retirement, he decided to return to work as a part time baker at Price Chopper, where he earned notoriety as the Cute Old Guy with the great smile who loved giving cookies to children. He was lucky to have come to this country when it was still possible to earn and live the American Dream with hard work, and he knew it. Every day of the second and third acts of his life were informed by his longing for the world he left behind and the historical and political reasons he left it in the first place . Kirkor loved great music, great movies and great food. But there was no greater passion than the love for his family. His hard work, love, generosity and complete devotion to his Family, their needs and wants, were his modus operandi, all wrapped up in an old world gentleman’s armor of sincere decency..

A Visiting Hour will be held Thursday, March 27 from 10 to 11am followed by 11am in Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove St. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to the church.