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Florida Armenians Congratulate Arman Avedyan

Boca Raton, FL – On Sunday, July 23, Florida Armenians gathered at St. David Armenian Church to congratulate Sub-Deacon Arman Avedyan on his acceptance to Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory in Armenia. During this four-year program, Avedyan will train his voice and master the language of music, while embarking on new adventures and a new life in the homeland.

Like many of his friends in south Florida’s growing Armenian-American community, Avedyan started serving God and fellow parishioners at the age of 14. Beginning as an Acolyte on the altar under the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, pastor of St. David Armenian Church, Avedyan began to develop and display his talents, delivering powerful and uplifting renditions of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Badark (Divine Liturgy).

Arman Avedyan (center-left) with family

“In January 2012, at my 20th Anniversary banquet in Mardigian Hall of St. David Armenian Church, Arman Avedyan sang “Nessun Dorma” which is an aria from the final act of Puccini’s opera Turandot, and is one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera,” stated Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian. “It was then that I realized he would be a wonderful candidate for the Yerevan Conservatory. Since that time, all efforts to admit him to the conservatory have succeeded, and I am extremely pleased to see the fruition of all the many years of work in the Deacon’s Training Program at St. David Church have such an exciting result for him. I am very proud of his accomplishment and am confident he will work hard in continuing his education and nurturing his career at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory in Armenia, and look forward to his success in the future,” stated Fr. Nareg.

Still early in his career, Arman Avedyan has already performed at Florida Atlantic University, Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, Lynn University and various Armenian-American community events throughout Florida. “Years of preliminary training, practice and performances have lead to the opportunity of a lifetime,” Avedyan told FLArmenians. “I cannot wait to begin my studies. This really is a dream come true,” Avedyan said.

Below is Arman Avedyan’s recital of “e lucevan le stelle” Tosca, Puccini, at Lynn University in Boca Raton.

Posted on July 25, 2012 | Image

Florida Armenians Mourns the Loss of Haig “Ike” Basdekian

Jul 3

Posted by Florida Armenians

Haig Armenag Basdekian was born January 15, 1931 in Washington DC, the second of four children, Edward, Haig, Naomi and Mary to parents Armenag and Akabe Basdekian. He was raised in Washington, DC and as a young man became involved in the Armenian community and the ACYOA.

He was a founding member of the St. Mary’s Armenian Church of Washington, DC and served as its first parish council chairman. He has been a member of the Knights of Vartan for the past 50 years and was instrumental in starting the Knights of Vartan Ani Lodge in Washington, DC. He was a founding member and past commander of Hayasdan Lodge in Boca Raton, Florida.

In October, 1957, he married Mary Ann Kalyjian of Philadelphia. They were married for 40 years until her passing in 1998. Haig and Mary Ann had two wonderful daughters, Andrea, who now lives in Washington, DC, and Ani, who now lives in New York City with her fiancé Scott Yeckes.

In 1969, Haig and his family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale. Haig continued his career as a mechanic opening Ike’s Auto Service in Ft. Lauderdale. Haig continued this business right up until his last days, for the last 15 years with his colleague and close friend, Hrair “JR” Alboyadjian.

Service to his Armenian Church and community has always been a mainstay in Haig’s life and his giving of his time, treasure and talents has been a constant, no matter where he lived and which community he served, including Armenia itself. Haig was instrumental and founding member of what eventually became the St. David Armenian Church, from its earliest years in Ft. Lauderdale. For the past 14 years, he has been a faithful and committed member and supporter of the St. Mary Armenian Church of Hollywood and was one of the godfathers of the church representing the Knights of Vartan. His presence has been a constant at St. Mary’s, in church every Sunday, always supporting the church financially as a benefactor for many church projects including the playground, and physically with his continuing volunteer efforts whenever called upon to serve.

In addition, he has been a benefactor and supporter of the Diocese’s Ararat Center, the Armenian Tree Project and in Armenia, where he donated a patient room to the Children’s Hospital in Yerevan.

In addition to his service to his Armenian church and community, Haig has always been a dedicated and devoted family man, always available with his love, his support, his encouragement and guidance to not only his children, but also to his siblings and his many nieces and nephews. In recent years, he has also been a family man for Cookie Devers and her family, son Lloyd, daughter in law Ivy, and their children, Andrew and Tatiana.

Haig Basdekian entered eternal rest on June 14, 2012 at the Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. May God bless and illuminate beloved Haig Basdekian’s soul in the heavenly Jerusalem in eternal peace. Amen.

Kindly provided by Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan, St. Mary Newsletter, June 2012.

*UPDATE: Mr. Basdekian’s 40th Day Requiem Service will be held on Sunday, July 29 at St. Mary Armenian Church in Cooper City, Florida.

Posted in Armenian Church, General Update, News