Obituary for John Balian
John Balian, age 91, a longtime Chelmsford resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 7, 2021 at Lowell General Hospital, Saints Campus, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Lucy (Maranian) Balian with whom he shared 64 years of marriage.
He was born in Watertown, MA on August 21, 1929, and was a son of Harry and Baidzar (Minassian) Balian. John grew up in Watertown, MA and eventually joined the US Air Force for service during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he attended the University of Massachusetts where he received a degree in Engineering. He spent most of his career working for the US Government, most notably at Hanscom Air Force Base. He was active at the Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford and in the Armenian American Veterans organization. John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a role model to not only his children and grandchildren, but to his many nephews and nieces as well. He touched a lot of lives and will be sorely missed.
In addition to his loving wife Lucy, John leaves his children: Nancy and her husband Richard Doherty of Acton, MA; Susan and her husband Stephen Berberian of Merrimack, NH; and John and his wife Kristin Balian of Westford, MA. “Papa” also leaves behind his grandchildren: Kevin Doherty, James Berberian and his wife Laura, Katherine Berberian, Julie Berberian, Samuel Balian, Benjamin Balian, and Sarah Balian.
He was predeceased by his parents as well as his older brother, Shahan Balian of Mantua, NJ.
Visiting Hours will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 10 – 11 am at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford. His funeral service will follow in the church at 11:00. Interment will take place at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford.
He was born in Watertown, MA on August 21, 1929, and was a son of Harry and Baidzar (Minassian) Balian. John grew up in Watertown, MA and eventually joined the US Air Force for service during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he attended the University of Massachusetts where he received a degree in Engineering. He spent most of his career working for the US Government, most notably at Hanscom Air Force Base. He was active at the Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford and in the Armenian American Veterans organization. John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a role model to not only his children and grandchildren, but to his many nephews and nieces as well. He touched a lot of lives and will be sorely missed.
In addition to his loving wife Lucy, John leaves his children: Nancy and her husband Richard Doherty of Acton, MA; Susan and her husband Stephen Berberian of Merrimack, NH; and John and his wife Kristin Balian of Westford, MA. “Papa” also leaves behind his grandchildren: Kevin Doherty, James Berberian and his wife Laura, Katherine Berberian, Julie Berberian, Samuel Balian, Benjamin Balian, and Sarah Balian.
He was predeceased by his parents as well as his older brother, Shahan Balian of Mantua, NJ.
Visiting Hours will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 10 – 11 am at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford. His funeral service will follow in the church at 11:00. Interment will take place at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford.