A Loving Tribute to Our Beloved Uncle Garabed

A Loving Tribute for Our Beloved Uncle Garabed

Charles Garabed (Der) Kasbarian

May 5, 1927 – May 8, 2022

St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Cathedral e-Newsletter

July 1, 2022

On Sunday, June 26, family and friends gathered at Sts.Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey to celebrate the remarkable life and eclectic accomplishments of the late Charles Garabed Kasbarian on the Karasoonk of his death. Known to generations of Armenian-Americans as Uncle Garabed by virtue of his column in The Armenian Weekly, Garabed was a lifelong parishioner and dear friend of St. Illuminator's and Sts. Vartanantz.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian and Armen Morian had the honor of being asked to join the kith and kin who eulogized Uncle Garabed and each offered touching and deeply personal tributes. Der Mesrob recalled how he had conferred on Garabed the title of "Amenayn Hayotz Uncle" or "Uncle of All Armenians." Der Mesrob also told how during his last two visits with Garabed, two communions were given and received. The first, Der Mesrob said, was the communion of Armenian cultural heritage he received from Garabed, "one of the most faithful and honest children of the Armenian nation." The second, Der Mesrob said, was the last communion he gave Garabed in the hours before Garabed left this life. Armen paid his respects to Garabed with an ode to friendship and a title of his own: "Garabed Hayrik."

Joining Der Mesrob and Armen in paying special tributes to Garabed were our very own Ara and Onnik Dinkjian, and Zaven Vartanian.

Uncle Garabed died on May 8, 2022, three days after his 95th birthday.

For a richer perspective, we invite you to view an abbreviated version of the memorial captured by Ardzagang TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8B3WRUHasN0

(queue to 7:15)