Andrew Hagopian, 93, of Granite City, Ill. passed away at 5:15 a.m. on Dec. 6, at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon.
He was born Jan. 24, 1923 in Granite City, the son of the late Sooren “Sam” and Nevart “Rose” (Baroutjian) Hagopian. He married Angeline (Manoogian) Hagopian in 1949 and she passed away in 1973. He later married Annette (DerBedrosian) Hagopian on Nov. 28, 1974 at St. Paul Armenian Church in Waukegan, Ill.
He retired in 1986 after 38 years of dedicated service as the owner and operator of 20th Century Cleaners in St. Louis, Mo.
The United States Air Force veteran proudly served his country during World War II, serving as a bombardier and was the recipient of several medals of recognition.
Hagopian was a dedicated and faithful member of the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in Granite City where he volunteered much time to the church and community center and had served on the board of trustees and as a chairman. He also served as a delegate to the National Representative Assembly of the Armenian Church.
He was Prince of Cilicia Medal in 1997 by Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia and the Eagle of the Eastern Prelacy by Archbishop Oghagan Choloyan.
He enjoyed sports and was recognized as a member of the “Men of Granite” 1940 State Championship basketball team and a founding member of the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame. He enjoyed his days of playing golf and was a member of the American Legion Post #307 and will be remembered for the love and special times shared with his family and friends.
Hagopian was a dedicated member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) for the last 63 years of his life.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Susan Hagopian of Glen Carbon and Jeffrey and Lynne Hagopian of Granite City; daughter-in-law, Karen Hagopian of Northville, Michigan; eight grandchildren, Taline and Hrag Chalian, Sosi and Aram Hovagimian, Andrew and Stephanie Hagopian, Elizabeth and Paul Shirinian, Ani Hagopian and fiancé, Richard Florka, Stephen S. Hagopian, Michelle Hagopian, and Megan Hagopian; seven great grandchildren, Angele, Sarkis, Raffi, Vrej, Lucine, Izabel, and Ani; other extended family and friends.
In addition to his first wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael A. Hagopian and three sisters and brothers-in-law, Alice and Lou Saucier, Sadie and Walter Kourtjian, and Mary and Herman Torigian.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, 1014 West Pontoon Road in Granite City on Dec. 11, 4-8 p.m. with a wake service at 7 p.m. with Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian presiding and Father Torkom Chorbajian officiating.
Funeral services will be held at the church on Dec. 12 at 10 a.m.
Burial rites with military honors will be at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Memorials may be made to St. Gregory Armenian Church.
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Condolences
The ARF Granite City Hrayr gomidehoutiun would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of unger Andrew Hagopian.
The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Granite City “Antranig” chapter would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of unger Andrew Hagopian.
“Huggy’s” obituary reflects so well the profile of a Nationalistic who was, and will remain, a Man of Granite in so many ways. His contributions were countless—his legacy will live on.
Andrew was the consummate small Armenian community volunteer.
His love of nation and church was second to none.
He raised, instilled nationalistic pride, and presided over a family that serves the Armenian community so well, in so many ways. That is a tribute to his sense of family and community. His legacy lives through his family.
Our sympathy to the Hagopian family and an enormous appreciation for Andrew’s many years of devotion and achievement.
The man was special.
. Mr. Hagopian was a pillar of the community and dedicated patriot. He was also the patriarch of generations of children and grandchildren in service to the community. This is a value that he embraced and gifted to his family. His legacy lives through this fine Armenian family. May God bless his soul. Asdvatz Hokin Louysavoreh.
God Bless this amazing and outstanding man! What a great Armenian to look up to! So sorry for the family’s loss. I would be interested to hear the story of his parents and grandparents of their escape from the Genocide and how they raised such an outstanding citizen. Amen.
God bless his soul. Armenia lost a good Armenian.