Sarkis Kazarian

WORCESTER/PAXTON-Sarkis Kazarian, Jr., 87, passed away Monday, October 21 at the Lutheran Home.

He leaves, a brother, Michael Kazarian of Rhode Island; a sister-in-law, Pamela Kazarian of Worcester; seven nieces and nephews, Bruce Wheeler and his wife, Karen of Auburn, Michael Kazarian of Rhode Island, Jerry Kazarian and his wife, Nicole of Worcester, Lisa Hackett and her husband, Thomas of Paxton, Joanne Morawski and her husband, John of Auburn, Melissa Degnan of Rhode Island and Sharyn Kazarian of Worcester and many great-nieces and nephews. A brother, Gerald Kazarian, a sister, Elizabeth Wheeler and great niece Danielle Degnan predeceased him. He was born in Worcester, the son of Sarkis Kazarian and Varter (Boghosian) Kazarian.

Sark, or Sarky as he was both commonly known, was the youngest of four siblings, born to Armenian Immigrant parents, his mother Varter being an Armenian Genocide survivor. He lived with his parents, sister Elizabeth, and brothers Mike and Jerry for many years in the Main South Worcester neighborhoods before settling on Woodland St. for over 50 years. He then lived the remaining years of his life in Paxton. He grew up attending the many large Armenian picnics at The SAC Park in Shrewsbury with family, neighbors and friends as well as playing ball and hanging around at Beaver Brook Parkway. After attending South High School, he enlisted in the Army where he was stationed at Fort Dix. Throughout his life, Sark frequented the local YMCA on Main St. in Worcester. Then in later years he would attend The Racquetball club in Auburn where he was proud of his skills and ability as a formidable opponent to anyone who would challenge him to a game. He also enjoyed a quick pick-up game of basketball whenever he could and was a faithful New England sports fan. He enjoyed drawing, was great at crossword puzzles and was an excellent cook.

Sarky made many friends throughout his life, which he held dear to his heart and maintained to the end of his life. He held a special place in his older sister Elizabeth’s heart as well as his older brothers Jerry and Mike who loved him dearly. After his father’s passing, he remained with his mother on the first floor of the two-decker home on Woodland St. which his brother-in-law Roy and sister Elizabeth later purchased, where they lived on the second floor and raised their children Bruce, Lisa and Joanne. With both families living together in the 2 decker on Woodland St., it was common to have Sunday dinners where Mike, his wife Marcia and their children Michael and Melissa and Jerry, his wife Pam and children Sharyn and Jerry would come by…It was always a special inviting place to be with the scent of Armenian food wafting up from Varter’s kitchen or upstairs at Elizabeth’s. Sark enjoyed these times and could frequently be found enjoying a drink with his brothers and brother-in-law reminiscing and laughing. Sometimes he was known to play the piano after a night of family, good food and laughter, before heading downstairs even if it was past the kid’s bedtime. It was a common occurrence for Uncle Sark to come “upstairs” to check in on everyone and share a good story. Sarkis worked for about 40 years at Wyman Gordon where he was a forklift operator and made many lifelong friends there. As for all of the friends he made along his lifetime there are too many to name, but they were frequently together whether for coffee, weekend night out or staying at a dear friends home in Falmouth, Ma. where there was a designated room with a sign on the door that read “Sark’s Room”. Ensuring he was always welcome to stay. He also owned a vacation home he shared with two other dear friends in Falmouth, and it was there his siblings would bring his nieces and nephews for many years to enjoy summer on Cape Cod.

Sark traveled to Florida with his “gang” and enjoyed many beach days in the sun wherever he went. He loved being by the ocean and spent summer days kayaking on Lake Tully and other local lakes and hiking at Moore State Park and at St. Joe’s Abbey, as he referred to it. Anywhere in nature is where he felt most at peace. It cannot be said enough how much Sark will be missed by not only his many friends, his nieces and nephews but also now by their many children who also came to love the great Uncle Sark and the special joy he bought to us all.

Our family would like to extend our gratitude to The Lutheran Home, Jeppson Unit who cared so much for our Uncle these past months, especially Jen and Pete, whom he referred to as “my friend”, as well as everyone else who cared for him including the other residents there.

 A Visiting Hour will be held on Friday, October 25 from 10 to 11am with a Funeral Service at 11am in the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Armenian Church of Our Saviour.