WYNNEWOOD, Penn. — Papken Megerian, vice chairman of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) District Committee of the Eastern United States and Canada, publisher of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator and member of the Central Board of the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) of the United States and Canada, passed away on December 25 at 5 a.m. at his home after a long sickness. Born on April 15, 1939 in Aleppo, Syria, to Garabed and Elize Megerian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Papken was the oldest of four siblings, though he also had three older paternal siblings from Garabed’s first wife, who died in an untimely fashion.
Papken initially worked with his father and older brothers. He married his wife, Anahid Derderian, on August 19, 1962. They met while volunteering as officers on the Giligian Elementary School Alumni Association. Their first child, Garo, was born in 1963. On July 4, 1968, Papken and his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, where son Aram and daughter Tanya were soon born.
Papken Megerian worked for Fidelity Bank and became vice president in charge of international banking. He left Fidelity in 1968 to embark on a successful 35-year career of owning and operating various businesses, including beverage and beer distributers, a packaged food distributor, car washes and MRI centers.
In all his activities, whether work or Armenian community life, Papken’s wife Anahid served as his unwavering confidante and supporter. He was very active in the Armenian Church, serving on the Parish Council of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Wynnewood as a member, treasurer and chairman, and as its Diocesan delegate for 24 years. He was treasurer of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
Megerian was one of the founders of the Philadelphia chapter of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the United States and Canada (TCA), and for many years was also a member of the TCA Central Board, including as its vice president. He was an active member and leader of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL), as mentioned above.
The Megerians supported many organizations and projects, including the Eastern Diocese, the Mother See of Echmiadzin, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, the Armenian Sisters Academy of Philadelphia, Our Lady of Armenia Boghossian Educational Center in Gyumri, the Armenian Diocesan Center in Javakhk, Georgia, and the Philadelphia Art Museum.
