Avedis Harold Mardoian (1927-2010)

Avedis Harold Mardoian died on July 26 at Lake Forest Hospital from complications of a heart attack and Parkinson’s disease. He was born on June 25, 1927 in Kenosha, Wisc. His parents, Hagop and Zartar (Abajian) Mardoian, were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He was predeceased by his older brother Alex and sister-in-law Marie (Arsh), and their son Alex Junior; and his younger brother Benjamin.

Harold was the last surviving owner/partner of MB Food (Mardoian Brothers) of Waukegan, Ill., which was a member of the Certified Grocers of America. He developed into a consummate entrepreneur and investor, expanding the original corner grocery store at Genesee St. and South Ave. to a wholesale distributor of fruit, meat, and vegetables. His motto was: “You can purchase by the pound or by the trailer.”

He was a resident of Lake Forest, Ill. since 1965. He was educated in the Kenosha public school system. He excelled in mathematics and music. He was proud to have earned first chair violin in the high school orchestra. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed at Camp Crowder, Joplin, Missouri. Always proud of his service, Harold was a member of the American Legion McKinley post lodge, Lake Forest.

For Harold, being Armenian and the son of genocide survivors was at the core of his community involvement. He was a driving force in funding and building the Armenian Altar Monument located in the Armenian section of the North Shore Garden of Memories Cemetery in North Chicago. Harold was a charter member of the Kenosha Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Tzeghagron” Chapter, a national organization founded in 1933, and had supported the AYF ever since. Harold was a stalwart member of the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, Glenview, and the Chicago “Christopher” Chapter of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). Harold believed strongly that the world needed to recognize the first genocide of the 20th century: the Turkish government’s planned extermination of the Armenian race that began on April 24, 1915. To this end, Harold and his brothers placed a full-page ad in the international edition of the Chicago Tribune to commemorate the 60th memorial of the genocide.

His hobbies included chess, bowling, golf, and table tennis. Harold is survived by his wife Mary (Jerikian) of 59 years, the love of his life whom he wed on May 27, 1951. He is father to Jack Carl (Christine Der Avedisian), Judy Ann (Mark Gavoor), and Debra Zartar (John Haroian). He was the doting and devoted grandfather of Aram Avedis and Anoush Gavoor, Armene Mary and Michael Kapamajian, Melineh Sirarpin Mardoian, and Adrineh Maral Mardoian. He also leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws of the Abajian, Antaramian, Der Avedisian, Gavoor, Goodman, Hakanen, Haroian, Jerikian, Khatchadourian, Lieffrig, Mardoian, and Sorensen families.

Services were held in the narthex of the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church and the internment took place at the North Shore Garden of Memories Cemetery, North Chicago.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be given to the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, 1701 North Greenwood, Glenview, IL 60026; or to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Gateway Program, 1711 North Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.