John Kazarosian Marched to His Own Beat

HAVERHILL, Mass.—John Kazarosian loved a good parade, especially those he organized himself on Memorial Day. And the retired military veteran officer made the most of it. As treasurer and all else with the Wilbur M. Comeau Post, American Legion, he played the consummate role, whether it was aboard a vessel, addressing the political elite, or marching down Main Street as a parade marshal on his way to Linwood Cemetery for exercises. But most often, you would find John secluded inside a room on a hot summer’s day at Legion Farm Field, tending to business. Sometimes he was alone. Other times, a fellow member would drop by to bend his ear. Before the city put a kibosh on their liquor license due to revamped fire regulations, many could be found seated at the bar and John would join them for a beer. That was not the case over the past decade or so when the Legion fell prey to ordinances that far outweighed the hospitality here. The organization could have played the game, but who had the money for such a facelift inside a building that was showing its age. But never its true colors. John was Navy blue, through and through. Affectionately known as Kaz, he was a life member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he was involved with organizing the Veterans’ Day march each November. You’d think it was easy organizing a parade practically by yourself. John made it look simple with persistence. I was with him one day while he was lamenting over apathy. I wanted a story on the Memorial Day exercises in the city. He had nothing concrete to provide. “Still haven’t heard from the band and the color guard,” he moaned. “No word yet from the other military organizations. It’s the waiting game all over again. Contacted them all and nobody’s gotten back to me. I’ll let you know when I know.” Like any theatrical dress rehearsal that goes helter-skelter, come Memorial Day, the troops were ready and everything fell into place. There was John in his Navy best, putting his best foot forward as he saluted his beloved flag while crossing City Hall. How he managed to put that extravaganza together decade after decade was beyond me. He was not the best public speaker but what the man had to say was poignant as your master of ceremonies. It was usually a message about veterans’ rights and privileges. And it was about coming together and paying homage as proud Americans, regardless of distinction. On one occasion, he pulled off the perfect gesture, taking a cub scout by the hand and pointing out the kid’s uniform. “Some day he could be that man serving your country,” Kazarosian told the crowd. “This is where it starts.” Over the last few years, I’d drive by the Legion Farm and see one car in the lot. It was his. What he was doing there was anybody’s guess. Either alone with his memories, or planning another commemoration for his Legion. No air-conditioning either. Why would you cool the place for one man? John was also the go-to guy if you wanted to rent out the facility, whether for a wedding, baseball game, or an ethnic picnic. He catered to your every need and didn’t let opportunity pass you by if it meant a buck. Every little bit kept the place going. Kazarosian went to his final resting place on March 25. He was 88 and yet another of our venerable World War II veterans. Someone will step into his shoes, but they’ll have to do a lot of walking and talking to make them fit. The pity of it all, I suppose, is that enough people don’t pay homage to our military personnel. Not enough loyalists come out to watch a Memorial Day parade. Most people take the occasion to fry up some steaks and get their gardens in order. Only a dedicated few will come out to attend the ceremony. Kaz was a 1944 graduate of Haverhill High and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific with the Occupation Forces in Japan. He later returned to the military, joining the Navy during the Korean Conflict and later retiring from this branch. After his military service, he went on to graduate from Boston University in 1968 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. In his civil life, he worked 32 years in the aeronautic division at General Electric in Lynn and was also a proud member of the city’s Masonic bodies. At ease, soldier and sailor. Service to two military units, you’ve done this city proud.