CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—It’s being called an event with an extreme purpose.
Members of the Greater Boston community and beyond will gather for a memorial dance to benefit two children who were left parentless after subsequent deaths over the past decade.
The loss of Rev. Haroutiun (Randy) Dagley and his beloved Yeretskin Patty (Sarkisian) to unrelated illnesses left a distinct void in the Armenian church. Among the immediate survivors were their two children, Sona and Sarkis, now 18 and 14, respectively.
A cadre of 12 musicians, including some of the finest performers in New England, will come together and donate their services this month, the proceeds of which will benefit the wellbeing and future education of the Dagley children. A general fund was established on their behalf at the time of Der Haroutiun’s death in 2002.
The extravaganza will take place on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, on 145 Brattle St. in Cambridge. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For further details, please call Becky Megerdichian at (617) 576-3398 or e-mail dagleymemorialdance@gmail.com.
Among those volunteering their time are the Arzigian brothers (Bobby and Johnny), Jay Baronian, Mark DerMugrditchian, Leon Janikian, Greg Krikorian, Kenny Kalajian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Kevin Margarian, Leon Manoogian, Bobby Raphaelian, and Greg Takvorian. Not one is charging a dime.
The idea for such an all-out benefit was conceived by Becky Megerdichian following her brother’s death. When Der Haroutiun’s wife passed on seven years later, she became more determined than ever.
Here on this 10th anniversary, it’s become a mission for Becky in spreading the word and getting the musicians on board playing staggered shifts throughout the evening.
“I started talking to some of the band members who have been close to me over the past 30 years, and all were receptive,” said Megerdichian. “They were also dear friends with my brother.”
The performers graciously said they were here for Becky and started to get other musicians to donate their time.
The children are living with an aunt (Sharon Dardarian) in Michigan. Sona is starting classes at Michigan State University while Sarkis is beginning his first year of high school.
“Both are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances,” added Megerdichian. “There is a very large group of friends, family, and clergy who care deeply for the welfare of these children.”
Sona Dagley played in the band at South Lyon East High School. She was a member of the varsity softball team, a National Honor Society member, and attended Armenian School and Sunday School classes. Since the age of 13, she’s been a member of the ACYOA and won an overall women’s sportsmanship award at the annual Sports Weekend.
Her younger brother also plays in the school band, travel basketball team, and baseball, tennis, swimming, and cross-country teams. He’s been on the honor roll and Principal’s List every year and already has a college in mind when he graduates in four years: It’s the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge.
Both children would have brought overwhelming pride to their parents, especially with their roles on the altar—Sarkis as an ordained tibir and Sona in the choir.
Der Haroutiun grew up attending Baptist and Congregational Church Sunday Schools but became involved in the Armenian Church at age 19 when the ACYOA seniors of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford, Mass., were seeking help with a Sports Weekend. Later, he took part in counseling ACYOA retreats and coached high school track and field.
Ultimately, he made a decision to pastor an Armenian church and began working at St. James Church in Watertown as a youth director. In 1989, he married Patricia Ann Anahid Sarkisian, and they were blessed with two children.
After four years at St. James, he proceeded to study at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, after which he served as assistant pastor of Church of Our Savior in Worcester, launching a career that lasted just over a decade before his death.
His wife had graduated magna cum laude from Western Michigan University in 1982 with a degree in occupational therapy. Her professional career took her to Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, following a stint in Chicago, and on to various school systems in Cleveland.
After being assigned to St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Richmond Heights, Ohio, she became active in the choir, organized a Women’s Guild, taught Sunday School and Armenian dancing, and took tremendous pride in being the wife of a priest.
Der Haroutiun’s brother Nishan followed briefly in his brother’s steps by becoming a sub-deacon at St. Gregory Church in North Andover.
The benefit dance is expected to draw an immense crowd in what will also act as a tribute to the family.
Tom Vartabedian
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What a worthy cause. Sona and Sarkis are talented and intelligent and are filled with love for their Armenian heritage, just like their parents of blessed memory. Patty and Der Haroutiun would be the first to lend a helping hand to others in need and it is only right that the Armenian community extend their support to their beloved children.
Thanks Becky for organizing this event and to Tom Vartebedian for bringing this to everyone’s attention.