Obituary: Thomas M. Vartabedian, 76 Longtime Haverhill Journalist, Armenian Activist

Over the past seven years, he served on the Board of Directors for Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, which recognized him with a community commitment award last fall.

Most recently, Vartabedian was honored in October by the Armenian Friends of America in recognition of his service to the Armenians of the Merrimack Valley. He was scheduled in December to receive the Armenian National Committee’s Vahan Cardashian Award in recognition of his lifetime of service to Armenian causes during a banquet in Washington, D.C.

Vartabedian served as a Merit Badge Council with the area’s Lone Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America, which presented him with a Distinguished Citizen Award. Another proud Scouting moment was watching two sons attain the coveted rank of Eagle and introduce their own children to the organization’s ideals.

As a 50-year member of the Haverhill YMCA, Vartabedian won many gold medals in state racquetball competitions for his age class. He enjoyed mountain climbing and upheld the challenge of reaching the summits of the tallest peaks in New England, including Mount Washington six times.

As an active member and judge of the former Kenoza Camera Club, he was inducted as a Master Photographer with the New England Camera Club Council. One of his last acts of charity was donating his vast camera collection to the photography department at Haverhill High School, complemented by a series of motivational talks to students.

Just prior to the cancer diagnosis, Vartabedian collaborated with Haverhill historian E. Philip Brown in co-authoring a book titled The Armenians of the Merrimack Valley. In recognition of the Armenian Genocide Centennial last year, he exhibited his photo collections on Armenia at 12 different libraries throughout the community, highlighting two trips made in 2006 and 2011.

A summer camp in Sandown, New Hampshire, on the shores of Angle Pond, served as a personal retreat since 1970, where he enjoyed sailing, fishing and the comfort of his family.

Vartabedian was born in Somerville, Sept. 30, 1940, son of the late Edward K. and Jennie S. Vartabedian, both survivors of the Armenian genocide. He graduated from Somerville High School in 1958 and majored in journalism at Boston University, studying a year abroad at an Armenian Catholic monastery in Vienna, Austria.

He served five years with the United States Army Reserves while attached to the 351st Hospital Battalion.

He had been a resident of Haverhill for the past 51 years, following his marriage to his beloved wife, Nancy G. (Yeghoian), a retired Haverhill schoolteacher.

In addition to his wife, he leaves three children, Sonya G. Vartabedian Sico and her husband, Pasquale, of Amesbury; Ara M. and his wife, Julie, of Hudson; and Raffi P. and his wife, Sarah, of Auburn; six grandchildren, Maya, Benjamin, Rocco, Rex, Mazie and Mila Vartabedian; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Edward C. Vartabedian.

His funeral service will take place Saturday, November 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory Armenian Church, 158 Main St., North Andover, followed by burial in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.

Calling hours are Friday, November 18, from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Gregory Armenian Church, 158 Main St., North Andover.

Arrangements are by H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes, 106 Summer St., Haverhill (farmerfuneralhomes.com).