WATERTOWN — Robert “Bob” Semonian died at age 77 on June 22, following a prolonged battle with colon cancer.
Semonian had a distinctive and driven personality that gave impetus to his legendary networking abilities as a vitally social member of the Massachusetts Armenian community. As a gregarious champion of Armenian causes and organizations, he made continuous and significant contributions to the Knights of Vartan, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, Armenian Museum of America, Armenia Tree Project, and St. James Armenian Church among many other Armenian civic and community organizations that made him the “Uncle Bob” of the Armenian community.
He was a 45-year member and past president of the Armenian Students Association. As a life member, he served on the Board of Trustees until his passing.
Over the years, Semonian’s reputation and his extensive national, political and business contacts made him the “go to” person to the Armenian organizations and prominent leaders whenever fundraising was needed for projects that benefitted the Armenian community.
In recent years, as chairman of the Speaker’s Committee of the Men’s Club of St. James Armenian Church, he arranged dozens of prominent Armenians to speak who provided inspiration, guidance and leadership to this always-popular program that attracted hundreds of people each month.
As treasurer of the Improper Bostonian magazine, founded by his nephew, Mark Semonian, Bob became further known as an accomplished networker throughout the greater Boston business, civic and political communities.
