Kevork Shirozian

Kevork Shirozian

Kevork Shirozian of Norristown, Pennsylvania died on February 3, 2021 at the age of 80.  He was born on June 6, 1940 in Jarablus, Syria to the late Krikor & Verjin Shirozian, both of whom were Armenian Genocide survivors. Kevork is survived by his wife Anahid, whom he just recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with, his three sons Minas (Rozet), Sevag (Taline) and Azad along with four grandsons, Armen, Haig, Ari, and Shant.  He is also survived by his sisters, Mary (George) Hatzakordzian, Kayaneh Barzakian, Vartouhi (Antranig) Koumrigian, 3 nieces, 1 nephew and 10 great nieces and nephews.

In May of 1968, Kevork immigrated to Philadelphia with nothing but the shirt on his back in search of a better life for him and his family.  Shortly after securing a life in Philadelphia, he went to Lebanon to marry his love Anahid Hekimian and brought her back to the US to start their new lives together.  Through hard work and determination, as a machinist by day and a tailor by night, he was able to support the migration of both his parents and 3 sisters. He worked these two jobs most of his life to support sending all three of his kids to Armenian Sisters Academy, even though they did not live anywhere near the school.

If you knew Kevork, you knew that besides his family, nothing gave Kevork more pride than being Armenian and a Tashnag.  He was proud of his Armenian heritage and roots.  He would always say, before anything he was an Armenian.  As a Philadelphia Armenian Revolutionary Federation Unger, he supported all ARF related events, both by attending any Philadelphia community events hosted by the ARF, ARS, Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, or AYF and by following every step the ARF took back in Hayastan.  You can probably still hear him at the meetings reminding everyone to speak in Armenian. Kevork was an exemplary ARF member that showed all of us what a proud Armenian should be. You could always count on Kevork being at church on Sundays sitting in the same section in church and the same table during coffee hour talking about the latest Armenian current events. 

At home, or what some called Philadelphia’s little Hayastan, everyone had an open invitation to hang out; have dinner and/or coffee and to talk about Armenia and Armenian current events.  The Yerakoun Armenian flag permanently waving outside his front door would be the first clue to let you know that you have arrived in Hayastan.  Armenian television would be blaring as you walked into the living room even if no one was watching.  The walls and shelfs of his house, covered by Armenian art.  His tavloo set, always out and ready for the next challenger.  As far as he was concerned, if you identified yourself as an Armenian you were family and had a place at his table.  Heaven just received a piece of Armenia.  We can be confident that Kevork is looking down from heaven with pride, courage and strength shining in his eyes listening to his favorite song Der Astvatz/Hzor Hayastan, urging everyone to never forget their Armenian culture, heritage and Christian faith.  We will miss you!

Regrettably due to the pandemic capacity restrictions, graveside services will be private 

In lieu of flowers, donations made in his memory will be directed to Artaskh Relief Funds, either through the Armenian Revolutionary Federation or the Armenian Relief Society or can be made to his church, St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church.

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