Lazarus “Larry” Chukoian, a long-time resident of Maywood, N.J., passed away quietly on the morning of Christmas Eve. He was 92. Larry, the son of Angel (Kadian) and Nishan Chukoian, was born on Nov. 21, 1922, in Providence R.I. He moved to New York City as a teenager and joined the military shortly after Pearl Harbor. Larry was a marine in the 4th Division fighting in the North Pacific during World War II. He made beach landings at Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima.
After the war, he returned to the United States and married Mary Gulasian, and together they began raising their family near the Bronx Zoo before moving to Maywood in the late 1950’s. At the time, Larry was living the American Dream, with a good union job, devoted wife, and three pretty good kids.
In 2002, Armenian Weekly columnist C.K. Garabed interviewed Chukoian about his service in the war. The interview was published in the June 15, 2002 issue of the Weekly and titled, “Armenian-American Veteran Talks ‘Navajo Code’ with the Weekly.”
Chukoian was a member of the New York Lithographers & Photoengravers Union Local 1-P NYC, and a member of the Maywood Special Police. He loved to travel to far-off places and then go off the beaten path. After the earthquake in Armenia in 1988, he acted as an interpreter and provided aid and comfort to injured children who came to Hackensack Hospital.
Chukoian is survived by his sons Bruce (and his wife Linda) and Nick (and his wife Lois), grandchildren Greg and Sara, a daughter Sara (and her husband Augie), and a very special cousin Roxy. He was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his children, Mary, who passed away on March 17, 1985. Larry was lucky enough to marry Virginia Malajian on March 11, 1989. He was so happy, but she became sick shortly thereafter and passed away in 1992. Her sons Gary and Rich so appreciated the love and care he provided for their mom that they allowed him to stay in their house until now, and for that Larry’s family thanks them immeasurably.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s name to the Maywood First Aid & Emergency Squad, PO Box 803, Maywood, NJ 07607 would be most welcome.
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