Nishan Serabian (1921 – 2022) obituary – Narragansett, RI
Nishan Serabian, 100, of North Providence, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. He was the beloved husband of 65 years to the late Mary (Zakarian). He was the loving father of Dr. Beverly Serabian, Linda Serabian (Darryl), Deborah Serabian-Kaufer
(David), Malcolm Serabian (Nancy) and the proud grandfather of Zara Serabian-Arthur (Jay), Shalem Kaufer Livingston (Duane), Kyle Serabian Kaufer (Laura), Sacha Serabian Rogers (Ryan) and Logan Serabian, and the delighted great-grandfather of 6 great-grandchildren.
Nishan was the eldest son of the late Merhan and Mariam (Chaderjian) Serabian, and the brother of the late Paul Serabian and the late Victoria Serabian DiPetrillo. He grew up in the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence amidst a community of Armenians who had escaped or survived the 1915 genocide. Armenian culture and the history of the Armenian people and culture were at the heart of his life.
Nishan was a member of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church since birth. Nishan first served the Church as an Alter Boy from age 5 to 9, then as an Acolyte from age 10 to 20. Nishan was a founding member of ACYOA and attended its first convention in Providence. He taught Sunday school, volunteered to sell church books for the fledgling NAASR, and donated jewelry to Sunday school for bazaar prizes. Nishan served on the Audit Committee for two terms, established the 20/20 Club Committee to raise funds for the Church, co-chaired the North Providence Armenian Earthquake Relief Fundraising Committee, and worked in the background as a sort of ‘extended volunteer’ for many Church events, including the Bazaar, Women’s Guild dances and Sunday School events, as well than the hand-painting of very many signs over the years that announced these events. In 2016, Nishan was honored on Name Day for his contributions to the Church.
Deeply committed to the Armenian Church, history and culture, Nishan served as vice-president of the Erebuni cultural society, the forerunner of the current cultural committee, and was appointed along with two others to compile the history of Sts. Armenian Church of Sahag and Mesrob. Nishan has been a member of the Knights of Vartan, Arax Lodge for over 50 years, served as a member of the Lodge’s clergy, received the Past Achievement Award in 1993 and Knight of the Year in 1997.
Nishan served in World War II as a head of the mail center with the rank of sergeant in the 3rd Army and landed in Normandy on D+3. A graduate of Bryant College with a degree in accounting and finance, Nishan was the controller of local jewelry chain Gerbers, a supervisor for Zales Jewelers, a managing partner of Westminster Jewelry, and the first controller of the Rhode Island State Lottery. Additionally, he developed real estate in North Providence and Johnston. Nishan has been actively involved in the City of North Providence, serving on the Planning Council for 17 years, the Charter Review Committee and the Democratic Committee. Throughout his life he has been an Independent Certified Public Account, retiring at age 89.
Nishan had a passion for learning, a zest for life, a clear moral compass, and made friends wherever he went. And we, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, are grateful for his love, his guidance and his deeply values-driven life.
VISITING HOURS are Wednesday, February 2 at Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church, Providence from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. (MASKS REQUIRED), followed by burial with military honors at North Burial Ground, Providence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church, 70 Jefferson Street, Providence, RI 02908.
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Posted by Nardolillo Funeral Home Inc. – Cranston on January 29, 2022.