Category Archives: General Update
General Status Updates/News of Our Website
FLArmenians Elections Center: 2022 Special & Municipal Election Endorsements in South Florida
BOCA RATON, FL – Florida Armenians is pleased to announce our endorsements for the upcoming 2022 special and municipal elections taking place in Broward and Palm Beach Counties on March 8, 2022.
SPECIAL ELECTIONS: STATE SENATE & STATE HOUSE
Senate District 33 (SD-33)
- Rosalind Osgood (D)
House District 88 (HD-88)
- Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds (D)
House District 94 (HD-94)
- Daryl Campbell (D) (unopposed)
Daryl Campbell won the Democrat Party’s primary election on January 11, 2022 and since no Republican filed to run Campbell was automatically elected to the HD-94 State House seat.
BROWARD COUNTY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Hillsboro Beach
- Commissioner At-Large: Jane Reiser
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
- Commission District 2: Randy Strauss
Lighthouse Point
- Commission District 1: Patty Petrone
- Commission District 2: Troy Ganter
- Commission District 3: Jason Joffe
Pembroke Pines
- Commission District 1: Thomas “Tom” Good
- Commission District 4: Angelo Castillo
PALM BEACH COUNTY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Boynton Beach
- Mayor: Ty Penserga
- Commission District 1: Angela Cruz
- Commissioner District 3: Marit Hedeen
Greenacres
- Council District 2: Nathan Galang
- Council District 3: Judy Dugo
- Council District 4: Suzy Diaz
Lake Worth Beach
- Commission District 4: Craig Frost
Jupiter
- Mayor: Ilan Kaufer
- Council District 1: Cheryl Schneider
North Palm Beach
- Council Group 1: Deborah Searcy
- Council Group 3: Darryl Aubrey
- Council Group 5: Mark Mullinix
Wellington
- Council Seat 2: Tanya Siskind
- Council Seat 3: John T. McGovern
West Palm Beach
- Commission District 1: Cathleen Ward
- Commission District 3: Christy Fox (unopposed)
- Commission District 5: Christina Lambert (unopposed)
Municipal elections in the State of Florida are non-partisan. If you’re interested in learning more about the candidates, FLArmenians encourages you to visit the candidate websites and learn more about each candidate on the ballot in your area. Also, The Palm Beach Post’s Hannah Morse has an excellent article breaking down of all the races in Palm Beach County with details on early voting locations and additional background on the candidates.
For specific information about voting, such as registering, changing party affiliation, updating address records, and more, please visit the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website and the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections website.
Additional endorsements may be added.
ICHRRF Issues Official Statement Recognizing the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC – On February 1, 2022, the International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) released the following statement in support of the remembrance of the Armenian Genocide:
“As an organization founded on the principles of universal brotherhood, cooperation, mutual respect, compassion, and respect for basic human rights and religious freedom, the ICHRRF is fully committed to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms as the critical values connecting Humanity. Hence the organization stands for upholding the dignity of victims of genocide and other atrocity crimes and pursuing justice for these acts.
“During the first World War, the Ottoman Turkish Islamic Caliphate systematically annihilated around 1.5 million Armenian Christian citizens. It is sometimes called the first genocide of the 20th century. The Armenian Genocide took place more than 100 years ago. However, the systematic killing of civilian men, women and children is not just in the past.
“ICHRRF applauds the US President Joe Biden’s decision to officially recognize the 1.5 million Armenians who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide during World War I. This is a much wanted initial bold step towards acknowledging the truth, history, and invaluable support for all the victims of hatred, religious atrocities, ethnic cleansing and systematic annihilation campaigns against vulnerable communities around the globe.
“Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Caliphate Empire still denies this crime against humanity. Thirty-one countries, so far, have recognized the Armenian genocide and urged Turkey to take responsibility for this heinous crime. However, many nations refuse to recognize the killings as genocide, fearing a fallout in the strategic alliance with Turkey. We urge Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and other countries that deny Armenian genocide to step up to the stark historical facts and stop indulging in shameful genocide denial for political convenience. It is imperative for all societies to openly acknowledge complicated national history to prevent group-targeted violence from happening anymore in 21st century.”
ICHRRF is a US-based non-profit organization focused on promoting human rights, religious and philosophical freedom and a polycentric worldview through continuous monitoring, education, policy research and collaboration.
Last month, the ICHRRF hosted FLArmenians.com Founder Taniel Koushakjian for an online presentation on “The Armenian Genocide and its Continued Denial by Perpetrators” as part of ICHRRF’s #SpeakingUpSeries on human rights and religious freedom.
In Memoriam: Agop ‘Jack’ Mouradian, Vasken Minassian, Harout Stambolyan, Michael Pirzadian, Avedis Mangasar
BOCA RATON, FL – Please see information below about members of the Florida Armenian American community who recently passed away. Florida Armenians offers our sincere condolences to the families of the departed.
Agop ‘Jack’ Mouradian (1938-2022)
Dearly beloved, long-time member of St. Hagop Armenian Church community in Western Florida, Agop ‘Jack’ Mouradian, of Brandon, FL, went to his eternal rest on February 16, 2022. The Pastor and Parish Council of St. Hagop Church, on behalf of our entire community, wish to express our condolences to Agop’s loving wife Victoria, his siblings, his children Krikor (Janice) and Hovhannes (Siran), his grandchildren and their entire family. May God illuminate his soul and the peace of Christ abide in him.
Please join the Mouradian family for funeral services at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511 and fellowship meal. Click here to make in lieu of flowers donations in memory of Agop.
- Visitation: Wednesday, February 23th from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Chapel Funeral Service: Wednesday, February 23th at 12:00 PM
- Burial: Immediately following church service.
- Memorial Meal (Hokejash) to follow at Mouradian Home
Vasken Minassian (1927-2022)
Dearly beloved, and long-time servant leader of St. Hagop Armenian Church, Vasken Minassian, of Tampa, FL went to his eternal rest on February 15, 2022. The Pastor and Parish Council of St. Hagop Church, on behalf of our entire community, wish to express our condolences to Vasken’s loving wife Karen, his daughter Donna, grandchildren Michael, Christopher & Summer Nichole, along with their entire family. May God illuminate his soul and the peace of Christ abide in him.
Please join Vasken’s family for funeral service and fellowship meal at St. Hagop Armenian Church, 7020 90th. Ave. N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782.
Click here to make in lieu of flowers donations in memory of Vasken to St. Hagop Armenian Church.
Visitation: Thursday, February 24th from 10:30AM-11:30AM.
Church Funeral Service: Thursday, February 24th at 11:30 AM in the St. Hagop Sanctuary.
Memorial Meal (Hokejash) to follow in Shahnasarian Hall.
Harout Stambolyan (1964-2022)
Harout Stambolyan was born on March 9, 1964 in Yerevan, Armenia to Yeranui and Arshavir Stambolyan. He was the youngest of four siblings, sister Armenuhi and brothers Toros and Minas.
In his teenage years, Harout discovered his first passion, music. While in Yerevan, him and three of his close friends formed a band, Tessilck, where Harout became lead singer and guitarist. Even with his love for music, Harout also found a strong passion for designing and crafting jewelry. You would often find Harout sketching jewelry designs for Stambolian, the company he built with his wife, Arus.
Arus and Harout were engaged in 1990, and were married in 1991, in Queens, New York. They eventually settled in Boca Raton, Florida. Together, they raised two handsome sons, Arshak and Karo. For Harout, there was nothing more important than family. He was a remarkable husband, father, uncle, brother, son, and friend to all.
The Armenian church played an important role in Harout’s life. He cared deeply about the St. David Armenian Church community and actively volunteered his time and efforts every chance he had.
Wake will be held at St. David Armenian Church, 2300 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431 on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 from 5:00PM – 8:00PM.
Funeral Service will begin at St. David Armenian Church on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 12:00PM, followed by burial service at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 200 W Copans Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33064.
Hokejash will be served following the burial service at Rafina Greek Taverna, 6877 SW 18th St., Boca Raton, FL 33433 at 2:30PM.
Upon request of the family, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. David Armenian Church.
Michael Pirzadian (1940-2022)
The Armenian community of Central Florida mourns the loss of parishioner Michael Pirzadian, who passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. We pray for the rest of his soul in peace, and ask Almighty God to grant comfort his family and all those who feel his loss.
Mr. Pirzadian was born on December 9, 1940 in Iran. Mr. Pirzadian is survived by his wife Anahid Pirzadian; children Yvette Pirzadian, Annette Pirzadian and Jannette Pirzadian; as well as many other extended family members.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Soorp Haroutiun Armenian Church, 9274 Winter Garden Vineland Rd. Orlando FL, 32836.
Avedis Mangasar (1960-2022)
A beloved member of the Western Florida Armenian American community, Avedis Mangasar, of Clearwater, FL, went to his eternal rest on January 29, 2022. The Pastor and Parish Council of St. Hagop Armenian Church, on behalf of our entire community, wish to express our condolences to Avedis’ loving wife Naira and his children Moses & Matthew along with their entire family. May God illuminate his soul and the peace of Christ abide with him.
Visitation was held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 10:30AM-11:00AM.
Church Memorial Service was held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11:00AM at St. Hagop Armenian Church, 7020 90th. Ave. N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782.
Committal service will follow church service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Ave N, Clearwater, FL 33760.
Click here to make in lieu of flowers donation to St. Hagop online.
Florida Armenians 