Gregory Abrahamian

Gregory Abrahamian, 81, of New Britain, died on Thursday, January 5 after a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Yessian) Abrahamian for 56 years. He was born on October 24, 1930 in New Britain to the late John Hovhaness Abrahamian and Mary (Halajian) Abrahamian. Gregory was educated in New Britain schools graduating from New Britain High School in 1948. He attended Indiana Tech College and graduated in 1953 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. He was employed for a short time by the State of CT Highway Department. In 1959, he began employment with the City of New Britain serving in many capacities. He was the Asst. Engineer and acting Chief Engineer in the Water Department until 1964, when he was appointed to the Engineering Department rising to Director of Engineering from 1970 to 1980. In 1981, he began employment with the Mattabassett District in Cromwell as Executive Director until his retirement in 1993. Gregory's hobbies and interests were numerous, most notable was his vegetable gardening with a specialty in growing a variety of hot peppers and tomatoes; playing golf; flying after getting his private pilot's license at age 60; cooking Armenian style; card playing, especially gin rummy with the regulars at the "club"; reading, especially the daily passages of the Holy Bible which sustained him through his illness; and uniting annually with his old buddies from the Championship Royals basketball team from the YMCA in the 1940's. He also loved to travel to the land of his ancestry, historic Armenia where he enjoyed researching his and his wife's parental homelands. Trips were also enjoyed to Cyprus, Syria, Armenia, Greece, Egypt and Turkey where he again researched his Armenian roots. An active member of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, he was instrumental in the building of the present church on Stanley St., in 1982. He served selflessly on the Building Committee where he volunteered as Project Engineer and General Contractor. In his honor, the church auditorium was named after his parents, the John and Mary Abrahamian Auditorium. Gregory served on the Parish Council for many years and was the Diocese Delegate for many terms. On October 17, 2010, Gregory was presented the St. Vartan award by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America for his exemplary leadership and devoted service to the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection. Gregory belonged to the Shuttle Meadow Country Club, the New Britain Elks, the Professional Engineering Society, the Armenian Democratic Liberals and the Armenian Seniors at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection and the Garmery Kharpert Benevolent Society. Besides his wife Mary, he leaves his adored children, Lee Abrahamian of New York City, Diane Roy and her husband, Dr. Gerard Roy of Farmington, Gregory Abrahamian of Baltimore, MD, and David Abrahamian of Farmington. Also, he leaves three grandchildren, Jack, Sam and Lily Roy, the true lights of his life, his sisters-in-law, Margaret Abrahamian, Lucy Simonian, Roxie Maljanian, and his brothers-in-law, Arthur Simonian and John Maljanian, all who sustained him and gave him strength throughout his illness. Especially close to him were his parish priest, The Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian whose prayers and visitations were most comforting and his devoted friend, Bill Higgins whose daily visits were most welcomed. Greg also leaves special cousins, Jennie Garabedian and Philip Pilibosian. He also leaves his nephews and nieces all who affectionately respected their "Uncle Greg", Mark Simonian, Guy Simonian, Craig Simonian, Arthur Simonian, Debra Maljanian-Kerr, Susan Sagherian, John Maljanian, Jr., John Abrahamian, Dr. Lori Pirundini, and Rachel Boloyan and their spouses. He also leaves twenty grandnieces and grandnephews. Greg was predeceased by his older, faithful brother Paul Abrahamian who died in 2002. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Brittany Farms Health Center, Sub-Acute, Station 2 for their exemplary nursing skills and compassionate services to Gregory who spent many weeks at their facility. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 1910 Stanley St., New Britain. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Callings hours are Friday from 5 to 8 PM at the church, with a prayer service to be held at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 1910 Stanley St., New Britain, CT 06053. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.