Category Archives: Obituaries
OBITUARY: Elmast Kohar Stoddard (1943-2023)
Elmast “Kohar” Haladjian Stoddard
October 9, 1943 – January 23, 2023
Elmast “Kohar” Stoddard passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the age of 79. She is survived by her siblings, nieces, nephews and great-niece and nephews.
Kohar is in Heaven now with her beloved Mother and Father, Chnnorike and Krikor Haladjian.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon on October 9, 1943, Kohar was the eldest of 4 children, and grew up to become a very successful nurse.
She studied nursing at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and continued her illustrious career by traveling to Africa, Scotland, and Saudi Arabia. Primarily working as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, Kohar helped deliver over 400 babies, including a set of triplets.
Later on in her profession she moved to South Florida and became a Home Health Nurse where she continued her education by obtaining an MBA at Nova Southeastern University.
A pillar of her family and the community, Kohar was revered as a Christian, leader and friend, providing guidance and support to all those in need.
Her kindness, smile and grace will forever live in our memories and hearts as we go on to honor her spirit each and every day.
Rest In Peace, our sweet Kohar. You are with your Mom and Dad now.
A visitation for Kohar will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bailey Memorial, 6701 West Commercial Blvd, Tamarac, FL 33319.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM at St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, 4050 NW 100th Ave, Hollywood, FL 33024 with the burial to follow at 2:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, 1500 S State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.
Contributions in Kohar’s memory may be made to St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baileymemorial.com for the Haladjian family.
Commissioner Mark Samuelian Celebration of Life Service
MIAMI BEACH, FL – Florida Armenians (FLArmenians) deeply mourns the sudden passing of Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on June 22, 2022. He was 58 years old. Samuelian was a beloved member of the South Florida Armenian American community. Originally from Boston, MA, Samuelian moved to Miami Beach in 2003 and was immediately active in his local community.
Samuelian had just been reelected to his seat in 2021 after winning for the first time in 2017 on a “resident first” agenda, NBC News Chanel 6 Miami reported.
“Samuelian was the first Armenian American elected in Miami Dade County,” stated FLArmenians Editor Arsine Kaloustian. We are so grateful for his years of steadfast service and his lasting contributions to Miami Beach and to the South Florida Armenian American community. His loss will be felt not only regionally, but throughout the state,,” Kaloustian said.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said Samuelian was a “superb colleague and dedicated public servant.” Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said his death is a “profound loss for our entire community.”
A Celebration of Life of Mark Samuelian will be held on Monday, July 11 at 4:00pm at the New World Center, 500 17 Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Public parking is available in the city garage at 640 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
You can watch online as the event will be LIVE STREAMED on the City of Miami Beach’s Facebook Page at 4:00pm.
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 