The Smartistic Type
Function finds form and tech meets taste in the ingenious mind of Nazareth Ekmekjian
Image
December 04, 2006
Jerry Kouyoumjian Leaves $2,491,000 to AGBU Programs
-
Image
John and Jerry Kouyoumjian
The last survivor in his family, Jerry Kouyoumjian, eager to ensure AGBU’s mission to promote the Armenian heritage, bequeathed his estates to the organization that serves 400,000 Armenians annually.
Natives of Kharpet in historic Armenia, the Kouyoumjian family found refuge in Boston after a long journey that began during the Armenian Genocide. Setrak Kouyoumjian and Aznive Kurkdjian fled with their four sons to the French city of Marseille in the early 1920s, where they lived with other Armenians who escaped sure death at the hands of Turkish authorities. Varoujan, known as John, and Zaven, known as Jerry, were among the four Kouyoumjian boys who traveled with their parents and received an education in French schools until they finally settled in the United States in 1938, on the eve of the Second World War.
John, born in 1915, completed the 12th grade in Marseille, while Jerry, born in 1921, left France before completing high school.
Wide-eyed and keen to succeed, John established two retail businesses in America, one selling greeting cards and the other repairing watches and selling jewelry. He never married and nurtured his interest in cultural activities, particularly ballroom dancing, in which he was a skilled performer.
The younger Jerry joined the United States Army during World War II and, as a technical officer, served in the Battle of Normandy, in the Rhineland and throughout Central Europe. His honors included the European, African, Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbons. After his honorable discharge in 1945, Jerry joined his older brother John in the retail business. A bachelor all his life, Jerry loved to help those less fortunate than himself and also enjoyed supporting the arts and public television.
Both brothers lived a private, quiet life during their final years in Boston. Little information remains about the other members of their immediate family. John passed away at the age of 77 in 1993, while Jerry lived until this year, when he died at the age of 84.
Totaling $2,491,000, the Jerry Kouyoumjian Memorial Fund will support AGBU’s educational, cultural and humanitarian projects in 35 countries.
Please note that archived content may appear distorted as it has been stripped of formatting and original images.
