Haige J. Garabedian

Obituary—Haige J. Garabedian

Haige J. Garabedian, son of the late Ohannes and Satenig Garabedian, was born in New Britain, CT on September 30, 1922 and died on May 10, 2017.  A graduate of New Britain High School, he interrupted his studies at Boston University to serve during World War II in the United States Air Force flying the Guam to Japan circuit as radio operator on the famed B-29s.  He returned to Boston University and received his BS degree in Business Administration in 1948.  He was hired as Executive Secretary of the Advertising and Printing Crafts Trade Board—an affiliate of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.  In 1958, the Board split from the Chamber in order to expand its operations beyond Hartford, and the organization was renamed the Printing Industry Association of Connecticut and Western Mass.  Haige served as General Manager of PIA until his retirement in 1985.  He held membership in a number of professional organizations including the CT Society of Association Executives; American Society of Association Executives, Graphic Arts Association Executives, and International Association of Printing House Craftsmen. He served on the CT State Department of Education’s Consulting Committee for Trade and Industrial Education as well as Central CT University’s Graphic Arts Tech Advisory Board.

A devoted member of St. George Armenian Apostolic Church, he served in various Parish Council posts, was Chair of annual Parish Assemblies, and represented the church as Diocesan Delegate for 16 years.  The Church conferred its Testimonial of Appreciation Award in 1969 for his “many years of faithful and dedicated service.”  In 1989, under his chairmanship, the Armenian community of the greater Hartford area carried out a number of activities including an Earthquake Relief Concert aimed at benefitting victims of the 1988 earthquake which struck Armenia.  In the same year, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church recognized his “outstanding service and devotion to the Diocese in various aspects of its mission both in the parish and in the community as a whole” with its prestigious St. Vartan Award.  Haige held membership in the Armenian General Benevolent Union; the Armenian Assembly; the Knights of Vartan fraternal organization holding office at local, district and national levels; and was a charter member of the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research.

He maintained his love for music as 1st violinist in his high school orchestra, member of his college Men’s Glee Club, life-long choir member at St. George Church and frequent singer at St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, FL.  One of his most gratifying events was working in conjunction with the Symphony Society of Greater Hartford to help coordinate and chair events involving the appearance of world famous Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian, who guest conducted the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in February 1968.

Haige was predeceased in 2010 by his loving wife of 63 years, Dora (Berberian) Garabedian, and his sisters Julie Ashekian, Elizabeth Boyajian, and Haisdan Garoyan.  He leaves a son, Thomas J. Garabedian and his wife Dora Verne, of Hopkinton, MA; daughter Andrea Karanian and her husband Robert, of Avon, CT; and daughter Audrey Garabedian and Edward Urbanik of Wethersfield, CT; six grandchildren—Deran Garabedian and his wife Kate and great grandchild Zabel; Berj Garabedian and his wife Laura and great grandchildren Thomas and William; Gregory Garabedian and his wife Daniella; Elyssa, Justine and Jarod Karanian ; in laws Clement Ashekian, Mary and Richard Humber, and Emma and Sarkis Toomajian; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St., New Britain will be on Tuesday, May 16 from 9:30-11 AM.  Church services will be conducted immediately following at 11:30 AM at St. George Armenian Church, 22 White Street, Hartford, CT  06114 with Rites of Committal at Fairview Cemetery in New Britain.  Contributions in his memory may be directed to St. George Armenian Church.