Florida Armenians mourns the passing of Harry Arsen Keleshian, who passed away in Boca Raton, FL on February 27. He was 78 years old. The entire Florida Armenians team sends their condolences to the Keleshian family.

The Greenwich Time wrote a wonderful article on Harry Keleshian’s life and family background. The Time states:

Keleshian turned a small card store selling newspapers, candies and tobacco into a substantial real estate operation in central Greenwich and was instrumental in efforts to make Greenwich Avenue an attractive destination for shoppers. The son of an Armenian who survived the murderous campaign directed by Turkish forces during World War I, he felt the burden of history in personal terms, family members said.

He was active in the cause to memorialize the genocide of 1915, as well as being a prominent figure and donor in the regional Armenian community.

Keleshian was born in Bronx, NY and spent most of his life in Greenwich, CT as a small business owner, philanthropist, and local community leader. He spent his later years in Boca Raton, FL with his family.

Keleshian is survived by his wife Edna, daughter Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo, sister Deanna Stepanian, two grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. A son, Arsen Harry Keleshian, predeceased him.

“There are few truly kind people left in the world, and fewer still that possess the grace of humility. Harry Keleshian possessed both of these rare traits,” stated Arsine Kaloustian, Florida Armenians Public Affairs Director.

“Harry never shied away from giving of both his time and treasure to not only the Armenian community, but the community at large,” Kaloustian said. “He was always the first to walk across the room to shake a hand or give a hug to someone he hadn’t seen in ages – and that kind of energy always fills up a room. His wisdom, generosity, and dry sense of humor will be missed by all of us.”

A Memorial Service will be held at St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, FL on Thursday, March 24th, at 12:15 pm. Members of the community are invited to join the family for Hokejash (memorial meal) following the service in Mardigian Hall.

Memorial donations can be made to St. David Armenian Church or to the Armenian Church Endowment Fund – Memo: Harry & Edna Keleshian Endowment (to benefit St. David Church).

Checks to the Endowment Fund should be mailed to: Diocese of the Armenian Church, 630 Second Ave., New York, NY 10016.