Nubar M. (Niles) Dorian

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Community Activist, Contributor, Dies

CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. — Nubar M. (Niles) Dorian, father, grandfather, husband, uncle, brother, friend, died on February 28.

For him, God and family were above all else. He was the family patriarch. An immigrant himself, he helped his brothers and sister come to the US with their families. He watched them settle and prosper, and stayed connected to them all, encouraging them to be successful and happy.

He loved his Armenian homeland and his church, always working on behalf of the Armenian-American community and Armenians throughout the diaspora. His community involvements are too many to recall, positively impacting organizations such as the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA), Knights of Vartan, Holy Cross Armenian Church and others. He was a respected contributing columnist and commentator on all things Armenian whose collected works of 30 years were published in his book, Harvests of the Heart. He regulary contributed to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator.

He always hoped for unity among all Armenians.

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A modest man, his accomplishments were acknowledged nonetheless. He was twice invited to the White House for breakfast, once with President Jimmy Carter, and again with President Ronald Reagan. He was twice honored by the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, once by Vasken I when he received the St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal in 1979, and again in 2008 by Karekin II, when he received the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob medal, each time with an accompanying encyclical. He was honored to have Catholicos Vasken I as a guest in his home in 1968, and be his personal guest in Yerevan in 1988. He was also Man of the Year for Knights of Vartan in 1978.

In addition to his many community accolades, he had a successful career traveling around the world for more than 50 years as an executive with Kree International and Phyl-kree, which he co-founded.

Nubard Dorian was an avid reader, most often selecting books about religion, philosophy, history and politics. He enjoyed discussing these topics and others with those he met and relished a good debate. He spoke five languages, and through his travels always looking forward to times he could return to Lebanon and see family.

Many people knew the public man. Privately, especially with his family, he was full of love and encouragement, always challenging and guiding each one to achieve his or her fullest potential. He had an extremely generous heart and peaceful spirit.

He will be greatly missed by his brother Zohrab Khatchadourian (Lois), sons Howard (fiancé Katie Romano) and Robert Dorian (Lori) and daughter Dinah Johnson (William), grandchildren Courtney, Ashley, and Drew Dorian, Meredith McCook (Cole), Russell Johnson (Becky), Matthew and Daniel Dorian, sister in-law Dalita Khatchadourian, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation and service was at St. Leon’s Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, Thursday, March 5, 4-8 p.m. Per his wishes, burial services Friday were for the family at Holy Cross Armenian Church in Union City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nubar Dorian Scholarship Fund at AGBU 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112.

 

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