Sergey Sarkissian Obituary (1930

Sergey Sarkissian, 84, passed away on October 22, 2015 at his home in Provo, UT. He was born on November 20, 1930 in Yerevan, Armenia to Hamayak and Sonya Sarkissian. His life journey was interesting and eventful. Sergey grew up in a humble home of a World War II veteran and lived most of his life in the land of Armenia, the first Christian country in the world. While still a student of the Politechnical University, he met the love of his life, Knarik. They spend 62 years together and were the first family from Armenia to be married and sealed as an eternal family on the U.S. soil. They raised four children, 7 grandchildren all of whom are highly educated and 3 great grandchildren. Sergey never ceased to learn and grow as a professional and an individual. He taught himself to play four musical instruments and used to say he learned to play so that his wife could sing for him… He had two graduate degrees and was greatly recognized and respected in Armenia. As a Minister of construction of the Republic of Armenia, he supervised and built numerous industrial projects and established several commercial enterprises: the Chemical factory in Alaverdi, the first brewery as a joint venture with the Czech Republic, the factory of aluminum and metal reinforcements, to name a few, as well as a dozen hospitals and schools. One of his many projects, the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, Armenia, which commemorates the victims of the genocide of Armenians, proudly stands on a hilltop in the capital of his homeland. After he immigrated to the United States, which became his second home in 1997, he faced certain challenges and culture shock. Not being able to speak the language, he was willing to do any job, just because he could not sit still and had to continue to be productive. His motto was, “The more you know, the less you show”. So he put his pride aside and started working for Deseret Industries stocking shelves and helping his son-in-law on week ends with his landscaping business. He enjoyed helping people, talking to his grandchildren, counseling them on any matters… He loved his family unconditionally and the ward members were an important part of it. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and grateful that his daughters had something to teach him too, which is introducing him to the first missionaries who taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His family was among the pioneers who embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ brought to his homeland by the retired missionary couples, who came on a humanitarian mission arranged by John Huntsman after the devastating earthquake of 1988. Sergey had suffered and fought a battle with his illness. He remained strong till the last day. He held his beloved wife of 62 years the night before and parted in peace. He is survived by his spouse Knarik Khachatryan, BA; his daughters Susanna Sarkissian McPhilomy, EdD; Narine Sarkissian-Marden, MA: sons Arthur Sarkissian, MA, and Vigen Sarkissian MA, and his loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Monday, October 26, 2015 at the Edgemont 8th Ward Chapel, 3050 Mojave Lane, Provo, Utah. A memorial viewing service will be held at Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Sunday, October 25 from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Monday from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. prior to services. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Mountain View Memorial Estates, Salt Lake City.