John Semerjian

Born May 25, 1924, he was the oldest of the three children of Nishan and Vertaim Semerjian and was predeceased by his brother Dikran and sister Mary Heslip.  He was the beloved husband of Rose Semerjian for 45 years and proud father of Rose’s five children and their families: son David Artzerounian, his wife Eva Thomson and their son David Jr; daughter Diane Walker, her husband John Wesley and their three children John Wesley Jr, Alexander, and Kimberly Parsons (nee Walker); son Daniel Artzerounian, his wife Laurie and their four children Chase, Steven, William, and Krista; daughter Donna Dolbashian, her husband Gary and their two children Tyler and Cory; and daughter Denise Artzerounian. He also leaves two great-grandchildren: Madison and Taylor Parsons.  He is also survived by his cousins Elizabeth Barsamian, Hagop (& Ruth) Koroghlian and Alma Alabilikian, as well as other cousins, nieces and nephews.

He graduated High School at John Bartram High School and then joined the Army in 1943.

He went through basic training at Fort Smith in Arkansas before being transferred to Fort Ord in Southern California.  He achieved Private First Class later to be promoted to Technical Sergeant with the Amphibious Tractor Division serving in the South Pacific during World War II.

After discharge from the Army he was a driver for the Yellow Cab Company for many years, and finally working for John C Meyers Printing Company in Philadelphia’s Center City. He loved bowling and started the Armenian Bowling League in West Philadelphia in the 1950s aided by Harry & Rose Tourigian and Harry Torrosian.  He was league President for the majority of the time.  The league finally closed in 2004. You could not find a more likeable person in the Armenian Community.  He will always be infamous for his tasteful John jokes that he told people over and over and over again.

His funeral service will be Saturday September 17, 2016 at Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church on 630 Clothier Rd, Wynnewood, PA 19096. Viewng from 9:30-11am in the church.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.