Peter B. Kallanian

WORCESTER: Peter Bedros Kallanian, 94, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of Aharon Kallanian and Kohar (Tachdjian) Kallanian.

He came to America from Marseille, France, January 7, 1948, at the age of 17. He was born in Lyon, France, September 3, 1930. The family moved to Marseille when he was a few months old. Peter earned his qualification as a metal lathe operator from Ecole Pratique de Marseille in July 1947 and has made Worcester his home ever since.

Peter brought his family to America one at a time after he became a citizen, first his brothers and then in 1954, his mother and father.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Violet (DerManuelian) Kallanian and his eldest brother John.

He is survived by his three children, Renée Eghian and her husband George of Seekonk, MA, Claude Kallanian and his wife Mary of Nashua, NH, and Michèle Adelinia and her husband Rambod of Auburn, MA: Four grandchildren, Shaheen and Amir Adelinia, Shant and Armen Eghian. He leaves two brothers, Albert and his wife Celine of Auburn, MA and Marcel and his wife June of Antrim, NH. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Peter gained hands-on experience in pressing while working at his uncle’s tailor shop, and in the evenings, he attended night school to study English.

From 1950 to 1953, Peter served in the United States Air Force as an air policeman, stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. After receiving his honorable discharge as an Airman Second Class, he returned to Worcester and pursued training in the dry-cleaning trade at the National Dry-Cleaning School in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 1959, he joined Muir’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners as a manager, where he worked until 1980. Following his departure from the dry-cleaning industry, Peter transitioned to a role as a security officer at Cincinnati Milacron (Heald Machine), remaining there until his retirement in 1993.

As the patriarch, Peter was devoted to his family, living by the motto 'Family first.' A skilled handyman with a love for gardening, he found joy in lending a hand to others whenever he could. His deep faith and sense of community were evident in his long-standing involvement with the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, where he was an active member of the men’s club, served on the board of trustees, and contributed to the National Representative Assembly.

He was also a proud member of the Guiding Lights Masonic Lodge and played a key role in the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Club (call sign NE1O), serving as treasurer for many years. An athlete in his youth, Peter took to the soccer field in the late 1940s and early ’50s as a goalkeeper for the Worcester S.A.C. club and later competed in Dallas, Texas, for the J.C.C. club.

Peter's warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his passions and community will be deeply missed.

Peter’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to his dedicated doctors and the compassionate team at The OVERLOOK Hospice and Palliative Services for their unwavering support and kindness throughout his care.

A visiting hour will be held on Thursday, July 24th, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, MA. A funeral service will begin at 11:00am. Burial will immediately follow at Hope Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, MA. 01605.

Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester., is directing the funeral arrangements.