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| Avedis Harold Mardoian | |
| June 25, 1927 - July 26, 2010 | |
| Lake Forest, IL | |
| Visitation: 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. July 30, 2010 at Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, 1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, IL 60026 | |
| Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. July 31, 2010 at Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, 1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, IL 60026 | |
| Interment: July 31, 2010 at North Shore Garden of Memories North Chicago, IL | |
| Avedis Harold Mardoian died on July 26 at Lake Forest Hospital from complications of a heart attack and Parkinson’s disease.
Harold was born on June 25, 1927 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His parents, Hagop and Zartar (Abajian) Mardoian, were survivors of the Genocide conducted by the Turkish government against the Armenian people. He was predeceased by his older brother Alex and sister in law Marie (Arsh), their son Alex Junior; and his younger brother Benjamin. Harold was the last surviving owner/partner of MB Food (Mardoian Brothers) of Waukegan, IL which was a member of the Certified Grocers of America. He developed into a consummate entrepreneur and investor. He expanded the original corner grocery store at Genesee Street and South Avenue to a wholesale distributor of fruit, meat and vegetables. His motto was: “you can purchase by the pound or by the trailer.” He has been a resident of Lake Forest, IL since 1965.
Harold was educated in the Kenosha public school system. He excelled in mathematics and music. He was proud to have earned first chair violin in the high school orchestra. He served his country in World War II in the US Army stationed at Camp Crowder, Joplin, Missouri. Always proud of his service, Harold was a member of American Legion McKinley post lodge, Lake Forest.
For Harold, being Armenian and the son of Genocide survivors was at the core of his community involvement. He was a driving force in funding and building the Armenian Altar Monument located in the Armenian section of the North Shore Garden of Memories Cemetery in North Chicago, IL. Harold was a charter member of the Kenosha Armenian Youth Federation of America “Tzeghagron” chapter, a national organization founded in 1933. He has supported this organization ever since. Harold was a stalwart member of the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, Glenview, IL and the Chicago Christopher Chapter of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
Harold believed strongly that the world needed to recognize the first genocide of the 20th century: the Turkish government’s planned extermination of the Armenian race which began on April 24, 1915. To this end Harold and his brothers placed a full page ad in the international edition of the Chicago Tribune to commemorate the 60th Memorial of the Genocide.
His hobbies included chess, bowling, golf, and table tennis.
Harold is survived by his wife Mary (Jerikian) of 59 years, the love of his life whom he wed on May 27, 1951. He is father to Jack Carl (Christine Der Avedisian), Judy Ann (Mark Gavoor) and Debra Zartar (John Haroian). He was the doting and devoted Grandfather of Aram Avedis & Anoush Gavoor, Armene Mary & Michael Kapamajian, Melineh Sirarpin Mardoian, and Adrineh Maral Mardoian. He also leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws of the Abajian, Anatramian, Der Avedisian, Gavoor, Goodman, Hakanen, Haroian, Jerikian, Khatchadourian, Lieffrig, Mardoian, and Sorensen families.
The wake will be held from 6-9pm on Friday, July 30th. It will be in the narthex of Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, 1701 North Greenwood, Glenview, IL 60026. The funeral will be on Saturday, July 31st at 10 am also at Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church. The internment will be at the North Shore Garden of Memories Cemetery, North Chicago, IL.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be given to the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church or to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Gateway Program, 1711 North Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Info. Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest, IL (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com
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| In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church,
1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, IL 60026
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), 1711 North Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 | |
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