Papken Megerian

With sadness, we inform you of the passing of Papken Megerian, beloved husband of Anahid (Derderian) Megerian; loving father of Garo (Annette), Aram (Carla) and Tanya (Nerces) Bardakjian; devoted grandfather of Gregory, Cariné, Ariana, Haig, Lena, Lily, Sona and Seta.  He is also survived by his two brothers Noubar (Anie) and Hrair (Ana), sister Silva Kailian and sister-in-law Rozaline Meguerian.  A beloved uncle, brother-in-law and cousin to his large extended family.

Papken Megerian was born on April 15, 1939 in Aleppo, Syria to his loving and devoted parents Garabed and Elize Megerian who were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He was the oldest of their 4 children Papken, Noubar, Hrair and Silva.  He was preceded by 3 older paternal siblings, Ohannes, Lucine and Zaven from Garabed’s first wife who died an untimely death. The Megerian family was well known and respected throughout Aleppo.

At a young age it was clear Papken was born to be a business man and community leader. He was entirely devoted to protect and elevate the Armenian cause. He volunteered on many organizational boards who served Armenian cultural, religious and political organizations. 

He met his wife, Anahid while they both served on the Giligian Elementary School Alumni Association; Anahid as the secretary and Papken as the Treasurer. Papken always said he knew from the moment he met Anahid that she would be his wife. Papken and Anahid were married on August 19, 1962 and were blessed with their first child, Garo in 1963.  Papken worked with his Dad and older brothers before realizing his dream of emigrating to the United States on July 4th, 1968. They settled in the Philadelphia area and developed deep roots in the community. In 1970 they welcomed their second son Aram and in 1972 their daughter Tanya. 

After arriving in the U.S. he was employed by Fidelity Bank in Philadelphia and rose to become Vice-president in charge of the international banking department. After leaving the bank in 1978, he embarked on a successful 35-year career of owning and operating numerous businesses including beverage and beer distributors, a packaged food distributor, car washes and MRI centers. 

Papken and Anahid, his wife of 55 years are pillars of the community. Papken has served on the church Parish Council of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Wynnewood, PA as a member, treasurer and as Chairman and  served as a Diocesan delegate for 24 years. He has been the Treasurer of the Diocesan Council, The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). 

He has served in leadership roles in numerous organizations, including co-chair of ADL (Ramgavar) District Committee of Eastern USA and Canada, the Central Committee  of Tekeyan Cultural Association of USA and Canada and most recently the International Board, and is a Trustee of Society of Orphaned Armenian Relief.  Mr. Megerian was also a long-time member of the AGBU and Knights of Vartan.  Since 2001 he visited Armenia 25 times for business, philanthropic, cultural, political and pleasure trips. He and Anahid have helped raise funds within the Philadelphia region for innumerable cultural, educational and religious purposes for many years, frequently hosting events in their home.

Papken has been a benefactor of many projects in his local community, in Armenia and internationally. Their philanthropic giving includes The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); the Mother See of Etchmiadzin; the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem; the Armenian Mirror Spectator Newspaper; The Philadelphia Art Museum; the Diocesan Center in Javakhk, Georgia; the Armenian Sisters Academy and Our Lady of Armenia Boghossian Educational Center in Gyumri. 

Papken’s contributions were recognized by is Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of all Armenians, as he received the St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal with a pontifical Encyclical in 1998. He later received the St. Gregory the Illuminator medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Armenian Church by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, in 2009. 

On May 12, 2012, Papken received an Ellis Island Medal of Honor of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations. These medals are awarded to a select group of people whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to our nation are cause for celebration.

Papken was above all else a family man. He was a loving and supportive brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin. He loved, supported and helped them all with his whole heart. Papken was an incredible father-in-law to Annette, Carla and Nerces and always said “I do not have 3 children, I have 6”. He truly viewed them as his children. He had 8 grandchildren, truly the lights of his world: Gregory, Carine, Ariana, Haig, Lena, Lily, Sona and Seta.  Papken’s primary goal, above all else, was to raise his family to be proud of their Armenian heritage and their culture and to be leaders in their community. He taught them how to be proud, yet humble, compromising leaders, passionate workers and above all else compassionate individuals. He led by example and has left a legacy that his children and grandchildren will surely carry.