With great sadness, the Eastern Diocese mourns the passing of George Mekenian, a longtime leader of the Armenian Church in America, who passed away peacefully at home on August 15. He was 91.
The son of Genocide survivors, George was energetically active and dearly beloved among the Armenian Church parishes of New York and New Jersey—especially our communities in Tenafly, Fair Lawn, White Plains, and New York City.
At the Diocesan level, George and his late wife Rose were deeply involved in nearly every major undertaking at St. Vartan Cathedral for two decades. In 2003, a year after Rose’s untimely passing, both Mekenians were honored as the Diocese’s “Armenian Church Members of the Year.” George continued to be a guiding spirit of many church concerns, and a generous, thoughtful advisor to Diocesan leaders, until the very end.
His precision of mind and attention to detail led him to a distinguished professional career as Chief Engineer with the New York City Bureau of Water Supply. These intellectual qualities were enriched by a deep, compassionate humanity that made George a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and colleague.
George Mekenian was pre-deceased by his parents Souren and Aroxy Mekenian, his sister Alice Demirjian, and his first wife Rose Bannaian Mekenian. He is survived by his son Stephen and his wife Lily, and grandchildren Gregory and Ani; by his second wife Dorothy Kehiayan Mekenian, her daughter Ardis D’Angelo and husband Jason, and grandchildren Carina, Alexander, and Gabriella; as well as by nieces, nephews and many friends.
To read an obituary for this departed Armenian Christian gentleman, click here.
May our risen Lord Jesus Christ remember his true servant George Mekenian at the coming of his Kingdom, and console George’s loved ones at this time.
Service Schedule
The schedule of services is as follows. Visitation hours will be on Friday, August 20, 4-8 p.m., with the wake service at 7 p.m., at the Basralian Funeral Home (559 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, NJ).
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, August 21, at 11 a.m., at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church (1131 North St., White Plains, NY). A memorial luncheon will follow.
A burial service atCedar Grove Cemetery (130-04 Horace Harding Expy., Flushing, NY) will take place on Monday, August 23, at 10:30 a.m.
At the family’s request, in-lieu-of-flowers donations may be made to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and the Cancer Research Institute.
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