SARKIS AND AROUSHAG KASPARIAN 

Sarkis Kasparian emigrated from Palou, Turkey to the United States in 1910, and settled in Providence. He left behind a family, including a young son, Ardashes and a daughter, Margaret. When the Genocide of 1915 began, he, as well as many other young Armenian men, enlisted in the French Legionnaires.

After basic training, these young men were transported to Asia in order to fight to regain Armenian land from the Turks. During this period, word reached Sarkis that his entire family had been annihilated by the Turks.

Aroushag Mesrobian was a victim of the Genocide whose family, like Sarkis', had been annihilated. Somehow, she made her way to Adana, where she met Sarkis, who had been stationed there. They married in that city and returned to the United States in 1920.

Their lives here ...

Sarkis and Aroushag resided on Whipple Street in the Smith Hill section of Providence. Their first child, Beatrice Kasparian Labbe, was born in 1921, followed by Louise A. Barkley in 1924.

Sometime during the years of 1923 and 1924, Sarkis received the incredible news that his son Ardashes was alive, having been rescued from the Turks and placed in an orphanage in Greece. Sarkis was able to bring his son to this country in 1925. At that time Ardashes informed his father that his sister Margaret was also at the same orphanage. She emigrated to this country in 1929, and married into the Boyajian family.

In 1927, the family was blessed with another son, George K., who now resides in Tom's River, New Jersey.

In 1928, Sarkis and Aroushag purchased a home on 15 Crimea Street, which is presently owned by their daughter, Beatrice, who resides there.

Sarkis died at the age of 86, on December 24, 1958 and Aroushag followed two years later, at the age of 76.

We applaud an Armenian hero.

 

 

 
 ARISTAKIS AND HERUPSUMA VARTANIAN 

The story of Aristakis and Herupsuma Vartanian typifies the courage and determination demonstrated by Armenians whose entire lives were disrupted by political turmoil. Aristakis and Herupsuma were married in Govdoon, Turkey in 1910 and had a daughter Asoosing. Shortly thereafter, Aristakis left Govdoon, going first to South America, then to the United States. Herupsuma and her daughter Asoosing were caught up in the events of the Genocide, and were deported. Aroosing died in Urfa and was buried there. Alone, Herupsuma continued her trek through Der Zor, eventually arriving in the United States at Ellis Island in December 1920, then on to Providence. She was reunited finally with Aristakis.

Their lives here ...

Another daughter was born to Aristakis and Herupsuma in 1924, and was named Asoosing (Lucy) in honor of their first child who had died. A few months following Lucy's birth, Aristakis and Herupsuma purchased a three decker house on the corner of Osborn and Chalkstone Avenue. Here, a daughter, Osky, was born in 1926, and later a son, Mourad, in 1933. The Vartanian family remained at this residence until September, 1959 when they moved to North Providence.

Aristakes was employed by Washburn Wire Company in Riverside, RI. He retired in 1954. 

Lucy married Archie Arakelian from Whitensville, and had two sons, Kenneth and Jeffrey. Kenneth had two daughters, Amy and Alyssa and Jeffrey had one son, Jordan.

Osky Cascone is presently Professor Emeritus of Nursing at Rhode Island College. Osky has been an active member of the Armenian community, and has assisted relief efforts following the tragic earthquake in Armenia.

Mourad had two children, James Mourad and Maria Gianini, and three grandchildren, Kristiana, Michael, and Nicholas Gianini.

 



 
 SOUKIAS AND KHATOUN OVAGIMIAN 

Soukias S. Ovagimian was born in Oghou, Palou. Soukias' first wife was Oghedah and the mother of an infant son, Koogas. Soukias married a second time to Anna Vartanian, who had a son Kapriel Vartanian.

After freeing a Turk from a Turkish jail, Soukias left Anna, Koogas, and Kapriel in the care of this Turk whom he had befriended. The Turk promised to protect the family while Soukias worked in America.

In the early 1900's departing from the port of Mercene, alone, Soukias left Turkey for Providence, Rhode Island. His intention was to earn money and return to his family and home in Palou; however, the outbreak of the Genocide prevented him from leaving the United States.

Soukias first worked in the laundry department of the Biltmore Hotel. Later, he went to Oklahoma for an opportunity to work on building railroads. Returning to Providence, he began employment at Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing.

During the 1920's Soukias sent money to his family, enabling Anna, Koogas, Kapriel and Kapriel's wife Nartoohi to come to the United States. After working for a short time in jewelry, Koogas Ovagimian left Providence for Chelsea, Massachusetts where he began his career as a shoe industrialist with the Kashian Shoe Factory.

In 1934 Koogas Ovagimian married Armenoohi Magarian and had three children: Robert, Charlotte, and Richard, grandchildren to Soukias. The Koogas (Jerry) Ovagimian family lived in Lynn, Massachusetts.

In 1940 Soukias married Khatoun Malkasian from Marseilles, France. They lived at 84 Bernon Street, Providence. His granddaughter, Charlotte Ovagimian married Zaven Donabedian in 1964. Zaven and Charlotte had four children: Kristine, Lisa, Michael, and Nicole, great grandchildren to Soukias.

Soukias, Anna, and Khatoun are buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence. Koogas (Jerry) died in 1985 and is buried in Brighton, Massachusetts.

 
 

 

KAREKIN AND SATENIG VARTANIAN DONABEDIAN 

Karekin Donabedian was born in Lije (Digranagerd Province, Turkey) in 1900 where he remained with his family until the massacres commenced. His entire immediate family - except for his younger sister - was lost to the Turks in 1915. His sister was given to a Kurdish woman and then vanished. To this date, her fate is unknown.

Karekin was saved by a Turkish officer who used him as a servant. He all but lost his Armenian identity until he was recognized by a relative. Karekin managed to emigrate to the United States.

Satenig Vartanian was also born in Lije. Fortunately for her family, they left the area in 1907 for Syria, and eventually, came to Providence.

Their lives here ...

Karekin Donabedian and Satenig Vartanian were married in 1921. They had one son, Zaven, born in 1938. He married Charlotte Ovagimian of Lynn, Massachusetts in 1964, and together they have four children; Kristine, Lisa, Michael, and Nicole.

Karekin's first employment was digging fence post holes on Silver Spring Avenue along the railroad tracks. He later worked as a chef at the Biltmore Hotel. Using the culinary skills he now had, Karekin opened his first restaurant on Bassett Street in Providence. From there he moved to Richmond Street where he and Satenig worked together. Their business, Mike's Lunch, was a favorite eating and meeting spot for Americans and Armenians throughout the years. During World War II, Karekin and Satenig treated men and women serving in the armed forces as guests in their lunch room.

The Armenian Church was a very important part of Karekin and Satenig's life. Karekin was one of the original founders of the St. Vartanantz Church, and his name is listed on the deed as one of the parishioners who undertook the purchase of the church in 1940. Satenig, who was well known for her cooking and handiwork, left her tasty recipes which still influence the delicacies that leave the church kitchen. Her handiwork can be seen on the church altar curtain and choir members' robes.

 



 
 
KOOGAS OVAGIMIAN 

Koogas Ovagimian was born in Palou in 1909, son of Soukias and Ovida. When he was two years old, his mother Ovida died. His father Soukias remarried with Anna Vartanian, herself a widow with a son Gabriel. Soukias and Anna thus began their family with two sons, Koogas and Gabriel.

Soukias left his family in 1911 to come to America to find work. Like so many before him, Soukias took whatever work he could find. He joined others in going to Oklahoma for a short time, building railroad lines, and later, returned to Providence.

Meanwhile, Anna and the two boys, Gabriel and Koogas, stayed with a Turkish family who were a blood relation of Soukias and gave them protection during the Genocide. When the bloodshed stopped, Anna, Gabriel and Koogas went first to Beirut, then Marseilles, and finally, in 1927, to Providence.

Their lives here ...

Koogas found work in a jewelry shop in Providence, and then went to Chelsea, Massachusetts to work in Kashian Brothers Shoe Factory. His father, Soukias, Anna, Gabriel and Gabriel's wife followed. The entire family remained in Chelsea for about three years until the Great Shoe Strike occurred. This event caused a great upheaval in the family.

Koogas remained in Chelsea and bought the Broadway Spa. Anna and Soukias returned to Providence where Anna later died. Gabriel and his family continued to the west coast where they settled in California in 1936. In 1940 Soukias remarried again, this time to Khatoun.

In 1934 Koogas married Armenoohi Magarian. She was originally from Gurin and survived the Genocide with her sister and brothers. Koogas and Armenoohi married at the former Shawmut Avenue Church in Boston, and had a son Robert in 1936, a daughter Charlotte in 1940, and three years later, another son, Richard.

One year after his marriage, in 1935, Koogas started his own shoe business in Chelsea. Koogas began using "Jerry" as his first name so that Americans would have more ease with his name. He moved his business to Lynn, Massachusetts in 1938, but the entrance of the United States into World War II caused difficulties, and Koogas was forced to close his business.

The next years were characterized by many family moves. Koogas went to work at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, MA. Subsequently, he and his family moved to Maine where both he and his wife worked at the Portland Shipyard. The family returned to Lynn where Koogas worked for General Electric.

When World War II ended, Koogas started another shoe manufacturing business known as J.O. Shoe, but because of lower-priced foreign imports, was forced to close. Koogas and his wife bought a variety store known as Jerry's Variety. As time passed, they added rental income properties in Lynn to their holdings.

Koogas Ovagimian died in 1985 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery at Brighton, Massachusetts. Despite the fact that he had little formal schooling, he had an excellent, inherent grasp of business and demonstrated that understanding in his ventures.

 

 
HACHIG AND HAIGOOHI BOZIGIAN 

Hachig Bozigian and Haigoohi Topalian each suffered tremendous personal loss during the Genocide. Hachig's father died when the train in which he was riding was attacked by the Turks. Haigoohi lost her entire family - parents, two brothers and three sisters - to the killings. Eventually, she found refuge in the Armenian orphanage in Guerin. Hachig had travelled there to seek a wife, and chose her. They were married in 1922 and just a few weeks later, Hachig had to leave his bride and come to America. Haigoohi joined him two years later.

Their lives here ...

Hachig and Haigoohi raised six children; a son George and five daughters, Lucy Goodman, Sherry Hanoian, Rose Hachigian, Susan Boghossian and June Matrumalo.

Hachig and Haigoohi owned and operated the HKB Market at 203 Douglas Avenue in Providence, and lived in an upstairs apartment. Eventually, the family moved to North Providence and built a larger market. In 1964 a mild heart attack forced Hachig to retire, and George, his son, continues to operate The HKB Pioneer Market at 224 Smithfield Road in North Providence.

A second heart attack proved to be fatal to Hachig in 1966. His widow, Haigoohi, continues to reside at 225 Smithfield Road, across the street from the market.

Haigoohi donated the electronic chimes at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church on Jefferson Street in memory of her husband.

Until most recently, Haigoohi remained active in the Armenian Church, the Ladies Aid Society, the AGBU, the Armenian Senior Citizens Group and the North Providence Senior Citizens Center.

In 1986, Haigoohi Bozigian was honored as "Mother of the Year" at her church, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church.

 
 

 
OHANNES AND ELIZABETH TAVANIAN 

Ohannes Tavanian was born in Palou, and his wife Elizabeth was born in Urfa. They were both survivors of the Genocide.

Their lives here ...

Ohannes and Elizabeth settled in Providence. Even though they had reached the safety of America, Ohannes demonstrated his support and devotion to the struggle of the Armenians by joining the select group of Armenian volunteers known as the Armenian Legionnaires who fought under the umbrella of the French Legion during World War I.

Ohannes received his training in Worcester, Massachusetts and linked up with the forces under the leadership of General Allenby, a four star general in France. These brave Armenian Legionnaires fought in the First World War in the Ararat battlefield. Upon learning that the Armenian troops were facing them, on September 18, 1918, the enemy withdrew their forces.

Ohannes and Elizabeth were the parents of five children. Margaret Harmaian has one son, Armen Garo from Rehoboth; Harry Tavanian who has a son, John Paul from Providence; Betty Manzo who has two sons, William Anthony from Las Vegas, Nevada and Christopher John who resides in Providence. Their two daughters, Lucy and Marion, are accomplished dressmakers and have achieved recognition for their skills.

 

 
STEPHEN AND VARTANOUSH MELKONIAN 

Stephen Melkonian joined the small legion of young Armenian men who came to America with the dream of making enough money to bring their families to this land of opportunity. He came in 1912, and started a shoemaker business in East Providence.

Then came the terrible news that his entire family had been murdered in Moush, Turkey in 1915. Heartbroken, Stephen closed his shop in 1920, when he journeyed to Istanbul to find a wife. When he entered an Armenian Church, he encountered a small miracle of sorts - the priest at that church was a cousin who had indeed survived the massacres.

The priest related to Stephen the tragic circumstances of his families deaths. They had been tied to trees with books burning around them, trying to force them to confess the hiding places of Stephen's relatives. The Turks were seeking Stephen's mother and father, his uncles who were priests, his brothers who were school teachers, and his sister, who was a nun. The entire family was found and killed.

Stephen met Vartanoush while going to college, and they were married in 1922, returning to East Providence in 1923.

Their lives here ...

 Stephen and Vartanoush had three children, Sylvia, Alice and Virginia. Alice married into the Shartzer family and had a son, Stephen Allen Melkonian Shartzer. Stephen has twin daughters, Victoria J. Melkonian Shartzer and Alexandra Vartanoush Davidian Shartzer.

Sylvia married into the Melikian family and did not have any children. Virginia Melkonian Emirian has two children.

From their family ...

"The sadness of our parents' early lives has created in us a feeling of respect for those who survived this ordeal. We try to show our feelings by our open support and generosity toward the church and the community."

 
 

 
PETER AND HAVES YEREMIAN 
 SOUREN AND BAGDASAR 

Peter and Haves Yeremian were born in Palou and married there. As conditions worsened in the homeland, Peter decided to come to Rhode Island in 1912 with the intention of working and saving money for safe passage for Haves and their two sons, Souren and Bagdasar.

Fate intervened with the onset of the Genocide, and Peter was not able to be reunited with his family for 11 years, when in 1923, Haves, Souren and Bagdasar came to America.

Their lives here ...

 The Yeremian family found peace in their home on Bernon Street in the Smith Hill area. As time passed, the family expanded to include Charles, Robert, Rose and Mary. Peter and Haves worked and struggled against many difficulties to provide a better life than what they had experienced.

Their children have understood their parents' hardships. Their son, Robert, was an inspirational founding member of the Armenian Martyrs' Memorial Committee of Providence. This committee demonstrated the necessary vision and commitment for establishing a long lasting memorial to their parents' ordeals and their generation.

 
  GIRAGOS AND ZAROOHI BASMAJIAN 

Giragos Basmajian was born in Govdoon, Sivas and his wife, Zaroohi Barksian, was born in Bardezag in 1890. Zaroohi suffered great personal tragedy with the deaths of her mother, father, one brother and one sister during the Genocide. 

Their lives here ... 

Giragos and Zaroohi Basmajian were married on January 1st, 1921. Their first home was located on Chalkstone Avenue, and later, on Goddard Street. They remained here for over fifty years, becoming an integral part of their neighborhood. 

They had three children, John, Marshall and Vera. John married Anna Markarian who was from Worcester, Massachusetts. Their daughter Charlene married Peter Bannon, and they have two children, Luke and Julie. 

Marshall worked tirelessly on behalf of the Armenian Martyrs' Memorial Committee of Providence, Rhode Island. His efforts were rewarded with the dedication of the Memorial Monument at the North Burial Ground in Providence. In addition, he was dedicated to the goals of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and worked on their behalf as a member of the Central Committee of the ARF. He is retired as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. 

Vera (deceased) had one son, John Lindo. 

Zaroohi was an outstanding leader in the Armenian Relief Society and became an honorary member for her service to this agency for over fifty years. She was also one of the leaders in the movement for educating the youth in learning to speak, read, and write in Armenian.