Obituary: Robert Avakian

Robert Avakian, 91, a 57 year resident of Cranston, passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at home surrounded by his loving family.  He was the beloved husband for 64 years of Sally Zartar (Simonian) Avakian.  Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Oscar and Almas (Rustigian) Avakian.

Bob was the General Manager of a Providence Oldsmobile dealer for over 20 years and was a leading Cadillac manager for 25 years.  He was a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, 32nd Degree Team and Scottish Rite as well as the Knights of Vartan, and was appointed to the Cranston Drug Commission by Mayor James DiPrete.  He served in the U.S. Navy during WW-II in Hawaii where he supervised 90 airplanes and the mechanical crews working on them.  He was accepted into the Engineering program at Northeastern University after the war.  He was a member of Quidnessett Country Club for over 20 years.  He was a longtime supporter of Amos House and other charitable groups in RI.

Besides his wife, he was the devoted father of Marian Avakian and Robert Avakian and his wife Carine; loving grandfather of Michael, Robert III, Alexander and Christina; and dear brother of the late Mabel Najarian, Hazel Vescuso, Dorothy Krzan and George Avakian.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 70 Jefferson St. Providence, and may call at the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI 02908 or Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909.