In Memory of Thomas Mooradian
Thomas (Tatos) Mooradian passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early morning hours of June 5, 2024, in his home on Hubbard Lake, with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born on July 31, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, Mooradian graduated from Southwestern High School, Detroit, where he was known for his academic achievements and basketball prowess.
Seeking adventure, he joined a group of Armenian repatriates and went to Soviet Armenia at the age of 19, playing basketball for the national team, coaching youth and receiving a degree in education from the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Yerevan, Armenia.
He returned to Detroit in 1960, earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Wayne State University and wrote for several newspapers covering the western suburbs of Detroit. On July 11, 1974, he married the love of his life and best friend Janice Marie (Taracks).
When Mooradian retired in 2005 and the couple relocated to Hubbard Lake, he wrote The Repatriate: Love, Basketball, and the KGB, which received seven book awards, to share his experiences in the Soviet Union. The couple traveled throughout the United States where he spoke about his Soviet ordeal. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Alpena. Mooradian is preceded in death by his father Boghos, mother Dzovinar and brothers Robert (Popkin) and George (Krikor).
He is survived by his wife Janice; daughters Jennifer and Bethany; grandchildren Emerson, Elizabeth and Auden; sister Rose (Patrick) Torossian; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; as well as a warm circle of dear friends. A family visitation was held on July 11 in the library at the First Presbyterian Church of Alpena. There will also be a visitation in the Detroit area later this summer.
