Obituary of Karapet Juharian
Karapet Juharian, 86, of Middlesex NJ, passed away on October 26, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born in Damascus Syria on February 8th, 1938, to an Armenian family that had been displaced by Ottoman atrocities of the 20th century.
In 1946 his family, consisting of seven children migrated to Gyumri, Armenia, in the former Soviet Union, hoping to reclaim their cultural identity and nationality. Gyumri is really the place that cultivated his childhood and adolescent upbringing.
Pressures of Soviet government censorship, destitute socio-economic conditions and omnipresent threats of exile to Siberia, ensued in the sudden and unexpected death of his father.
In the early 1950’s as the elder son, he quickly became the father figure of the family, helping his mother raise and take care of his six siblings by working odd jobs, and despite all the obstacles unique to the Soviet era and uncharacteristic to our time, he remained relentlessly focused on educating himself and strictly instilled the same for his siblings.
In 1964, Karapet graduated from Yerevan Polytechnic Institute as an Industrial Engineer specializing in textiles and quickly rose up the ranks in the government run garment industry, gaining prominence both in Yerevan and Moscow for his exceptional leadership. During this time, he also met and married his wife Hikoush, forming a family of his own.
In 1977, he completed his dissertation at Moscow State University in Industrial Engineering, becoming a Docent in this field. He rose to higher ranks in the industry and taught Industrial Engineering in the university in Yerevan.
In the 1980s, disenchanted by Soviet politics and foreseeing Soviet Union’s demise, he made the most difficult, yet the most impactful decision of his life, to uproot all that he had built throughout his life and to save his family from the shackles of communism, by emigrating to the United States.
After settling in United States, Karapet became a small business owner in Bergenfield, NJ up until 2001, specializing in custom garments, tailoring and apparel sales. During retirement, Karapet was actively involved with his grandchildren, tutoring them in math and science, bringing them to afterschool activities or teaching them family values and traditions. As a former gymnast, he vicariously relived his youthful moments while helping train his grandchildren Edgar, David, and Evelyn secure top 3 places in state and regional competitions.
Karapet enjoyed nature, being surrounded by and spending time with his family, he enjoyed physical activity and often exercised or danced with his grandchildren. He liked reading, following the news and debating Global politics.
Karapet was an extraordinary individual, he travelled the road less travelled, he faced obstacles and adversities few have faced, he was an influential and motivating speaker, he was a beacon of hope for those who wavered in face of adversity, an advisor to those who needed advice, a father figure to those who grew up without a father, a great father to his children, a loving husband of 60 years and a wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren. As we mourn his loss, we are comforted by the memories of his loving character and celebrate his life well-lived. He will remain in our thoughts forever and always.
Karapet is survived by his loving wife: Hikoush Juharian, children: Movses & Anna Juharian, Naria & Kornel Tichy, Elizabeth & Samvel Anakhasyan and grandchildren: Edgar & Evelyn Juharian, David & Alex Tichy, Anna O’Connor & Diana Anakhasyan.