Esahag Cy Gurenlian

Esahag, “Cy” Gurenlian of Newtown Square, PA, age 96, passed away peacefully, on Monday, December 9, 2019, with his family by his side. Born 9/24/23, in West Philadelphia to immigrant parents, who were survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Cy proudly served his country in the Unites States Navy during WWII, first, as an armed guard on a Merchant Marine ship and then as a gunner on the USS Portsmouth.  He was one of The Greatest Generation of young men and women who stepped up and was a true patriot who loved his country. An American to his very fiber, he was also very proud to be “Armenian” and helped many exchange students from Armenia.  Cy owned and operated, with his wife Helen, Sherwood Armenian Grocery, a business started by his father in 1922 on 60th Street in West Philadelphia.  He later became a Realtor in Delaware county. Cy enjoyed traveling, good food, and especially “making deals”. He was a businessman through and through. Cy was always willing to help someone in need and many came to him for help.  He did not believe in “handouts” but rather gave them small jobs in his store and then bought them a meal, oftentimes bringing them home for dinner. As with all Armenians, no one left his table hungry. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Parnak and Lousine (Kestekian) Gurenlian , sisters Alice Tashjian, Rose DiBuonaventura, Dorothy Mamasian, as well as wives Helen (Kalajian) Gurenlian and Anna (D’Agostino) Gurenlian. Cy is survived by his children Carol (Robert) Brines of Ocean View, DE, Alice (Mark) Lachewitz, White Haven, PA, Thomas (JoAnn) Haddonfield, NJ, George (Pamela) Springfield, PA, James (Deborah) Sicklerville, NJ, Lori (Frank) Bonfrisco, Medford, NJ. Also survived by eleven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Services:              Saturday, December 14, 2019

                                St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church

                                630 Clothier Road

                                Wynnewood, PA 19096

                                Viewing: 10:00, Service: 11:00, Burial: Arlington Cemetery Drexel Hill, PA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or (an organization who helps wounded vets get back on their feet) Reel Thanx, P.O. BOX 431, Midland, TX 79702

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esahag Cy Gurenlian, please visit our floral store.