Hamparsoon Boghosian

Hamparsoon “Hambarts” Boghosian of Norristown, PA, has passed away on April 29, 2016 of natural causes at the age of 88. He was born on March 28, 1928 in Esfahan, Iran, the second of four children of Tatevos and Ovsan Boghosian. Soon after the family moved to the oil-rich southern Khuzestan Province of Iran. Hambarts lost his father very early at the age of 14, so by the time he turned 16 he went to work for the National Oil Company to support his family. Two years later he was drafted into the army where he served for 2 years, then upon his return went back to work for the same company where he stayed for over 40 years.

On September 21, 1961 Hambarts married Rozik Khachatoorian of Esfahan, with whom he had 3 children – Hamo, Hamlet and Hildret. After the breakout of Iran-Iraq war, his family had fled Iraqi bombardments for the safety of Esfahan, where they stayed with Rozik’s extended family while Hambarts returned to Ahwaz, Khuzestan, never abandoning his job duties with the National Oil Company. By 1987 he retired and moved the family to Tehran, the capital of Iran. Unable to sit idly, he got a job as a warehouse manager there and continued to work for a few more years.

The family went through some dark days in 1980’s waiting for both sons to return from their wartime active duty military service. Thankfully, both of them were spared and safely came home. However, life in Iran at the time didn’t provide many opportunities for younger generation, so in 1991 both Hamo and Hamlet decided to immigrate to United States and build a new life here, followed by Hildret in 2001. A year later, Hambarts and Rozik left Iran and rejoined their children in United States, in Greater Philadelphia region, where the whole extended family is living to this day. Hambarts and Rozik split their time among their children and their families, playing a crucial role in the care and upbringing of their 4 grandchildren and showering them with love and attention as only grandparents can. A few years after his arrival to US Hambarts, despite his advanced age, mastered enough command of English language to pass the citizenship test and become a proud US citizen.

Hambarts always had a curious mind, loved to read and followed the world affairs, however, a few years ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and since then the family and friends were forced to watch with heartbreak and desperation as his mental state declined, slowly at first, but increasingly faster as this cruel disease progressed and robbed him of his memories and personality. In the end, Alzheimer’s, combined with other health issues, has claimed his life.

Hambarts will always be remembered as a kind, caring, honest man with an unwavering moral compass who deeply loved his family and was ready to sacrifice himself for their well-being. He is survived by his wife, Rozik Khachatoorian, sons Hamo Boghosian with wife Kari Ghezarian, Hamlet Boghosian with wife Naira Vardapetyan, and daughter Hildret Boghosian with husband Serjik Estepanian, grandchildren Derik Boghosian, Narek Boghosian, Hayk Boghosian and Lilit Estepanian, and sisters Balik Alexanderian and Maro Aghajani. Preceding him in death is his brother, Davit Boghosian.

His funeral service will be 11 am Monday at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, 8701 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, Pa 19128.  Friends and Family may call one hour prior to service in the Church.  Interment: Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to SOAR (http://soar-us.org/index.html)  or St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church.