National, International, Armenia, and Community News and Opinion

The Armenian Reporter | April 4, 2009 7
Community
Norair K. Deirmengian (Norman K. Miller), 94, inventor
PHILADELPHIA – After a
short period of illness, Norair
Karekin Deirmengian, also known
as Norman K. Miller, went to
meet his maker on January 19 after
a brief period of illness. He is
survived by his wife of 59 years,
Virginia, their five children, two
daughters-in-law, one son-in-law
and ten grandchildren. He was a
loving and inspirational husband,
father, grandfather and mentor.
Always smiling, always offering a
helping hand, he touched the lives
of everyone he met.Norair was
born in 1914 in Kasken Maden,
near Bolis, while his mother was
fleeing the Armenian Genocide
along with her two young sons.
His father had been killed prior to
his birth. His mother found refuge
for the family in Romania, where
Norair was placed in an orphanage.
Norair excelled academically and
was sent to Murat Rafael Armenian
College Preparatory School in
Venice, Italy. After graduating in
1935, he emigrated to the United
States where he was reunited with
his family and enrolled at the University
of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Norman was thankful for the
freedoms found in his new country.
Not yet a citizen, in 1941, he
enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was
Celebrating Zabel
Varadian’s life
NORWOOD – Isabelle Shiranian
was born on November 14,
1925, in New York City, to Abraham
and Vartig Shiranian. She
excelled academically at Central
High School and was a member of
the National Honor Society. She
was a proud member of the Providence
Varantian Chapter of the
Armenian Youth Federation and
participated in the Sts. Vartanantz
Church Choir and Ladies Guild
for many years.
To support her family after her
father’s death, Zabel worked for a
jewelry manufacturer during her
high-school years. After graduation,
she became an executive secretary
at U.S. Life Insurance Co.
During World War II, the female
members of the Providence ayf
wrote to the Armenian soldiers
who were in the battlefield. Zabel
pulled out of a hat the name
of Melkon (“Mal”) Varadian, who
was stationed in North Africa with
General Patton’s 7th Army. When
Melkon returned to the States,
they met at an AYF meeting, and
their 61-year journey together began.
Two years after their meeting,
Melkon and Zabel were married,
and shortly afterward, they
started a family. The couple would
be blessed with three children,
Michael (Armenie), Sandra (Megerdich),
and Malcolm (Kristen);
grandchildren Nick, Siran, Antranig,
Armen, Melkon, Sarah, and
Ani; and great-grandchildren Emily,
Nicholas, and Carl. All were to join
the Providence ayf.
In 1956, Mal and Zabel purchased
the Public Street Market in South
Providence, which they operated
for 40 years until their retirement.
Many lifelong relationships developed
with employees. Arthur
(“Jake”) Butler came on board as a
young man, devoting many years
to Zabel and Mal in the operation
of the store. Jake, his wife Sandy,
and their family remain cherished
friends to this day.
The couple hired and mentored
countless family members and
sent to the South Pacific where he
played instrumental roles in the
Battle of Layte and the Guadalcanal
Campaign. During his service,
he showed his inventive talents
by developing a method of cushioning
military tank interiors to
prevent injuries and was issued
a commendation for creating a
method to repair and improvement
the Reisling gun.
He returned to Philadelphia to
start a manufacturing business
with his two brothers. Originally
known as Miller Brothers,
Miller Edge grew to become an
industry leader in safeguarding
for motorized doors, gates and
automated machinery markets.
Under his leadership, Miller
Edge was issued over 100 patents
in the U.S. and abroad. He was
recognized multiple times for his
professional achievements. In
1991, Norman received the Distinguished
Service Award from
the Door & Operator Dealers Association
honoring his personal
achievements. In 1998, Miller
Edge received the International
Door Association Industry Service
Award. In 2007, he received
the International Door Association
Humanitarian Award.
Norman was always thankful
for the freedoms and successes
neighborhood youths. They provided
the first employment for
dozens of young men who grew
to be family friends and successful
members of the Rhode Island
Armenian-American community.
Holding court at the Public Street
Market, Zabel and Mal offered
guidance in the business, athletic,
and personal lives of many. Their
service and generosity benefited
individuals and families, and
made a lasting impression on the
community.
Family was an important part
of Zabel’s life. Having lost her
father at an early age, she gave
constant attention to her mother
and uncle, Sarkis Keri Marderosian,
both of whom lived near the
market. She was very proud and
fond of her many nephews, nieces,
cousins, and other extended family
members, speaking of them
affectionately and often, and was
a loving sister to Dickran (Marie
Rose) and Charlie Shiranian, deceased.
Despite her many illnesses and
surgeries, Zabel kept people happy
with her kind demeanor and
beautiful smile. She took great
joy in the accomplishments of
her children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren, relishing
their celebrations and graduations.
She also enjoyed the constant
company of her “grandpuppy,”
Mollie.
She will be remembered for
her wonderful sense of humor.
Zabel laughed heartily when, at
one event, she and Mal were accidentally
left behind in an empty
school parking lot. The family caravan
drove off, everyone thinking
the others had Mal and Zabel with
them!
The Varadian family appreciates
the kind devotion of Zabel’s many
friends and family in the Providence
community who were so
supportive throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to Sts. Vartanantz
Church Endowment Fund and
ayf Camp Haiastan.
he found in the United States.
He also kept a special place in his
heart for those suffering in his
Armenian homeland. Following
the devastating Armenian earthquake
of 1998, Norman organized
the collection of used copier and
fax machines. The machines were
refurbished at the Miller Edge
warehouse, packed with clothing
for cushioning and sent to Armenia
to help businesses rebuild. In
2004, he donated the funds required
for the construction of a
water treatment plant in the Armenian
Village of Nor Gatashen.
Prior to his donation, the people
of this village had no clean running
water. In 2007, he donated a
classroom to the Armenian Relief
Society Daily School at St. Mary’s
in Toronto, Ontario.
Norman was a lifetime active
member of St. Gregory’s Church
in Philadelphia. He was a member
of Armenian Bowling League, St.
Gregory’s Men’s Club, Knights of
Vartan, Masonic Brothers. He also
was a supporter of anca, ayf, Armenia
Fund, and other organizations
too numerous to note.
Norair Deirmengian (Miller)
was laid to rest on January 24,
2009 at Arlington Cemetery in
Upper Darby, Pa., following funeral
services held at St. Gregory The
On a Watertown billboard, the Torch of Liberty urges the United States to
officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.
“Torch of Liberty” billboard
to urge Genocide recognition
by Rosario Teixeira
Norair K. Deirmengian, 1914–2009.
WATERTOWN – The Armenian
Genocide commemorative
billboard is scheduled to go up on
Watertown’s Arsenal Street April 6.
In the middle of the billboard, the
torch of liberty is urging the United
States to officially recognize the Armenian
Genocide.
The commemorative billboard is
sponsored by Peace of Art, Inc., a
non-profit organization which uses
art as an educational tool to bring
awareness to the universal human
condition, and promote peaceful
solutions to conflict.
Around the same time that the
Armenian Genocide commemorative
billboard will be installed,
President Obama will visit Turkey
as part of his international tour. It
has been speculated that he may
influence the opening of the borders
between Turkey and Armenia.
Everyone has been following
President Obama as he engages in
carrying the torch of liberty and attempts
to open dialogue for peace
and cooperation with all nations.
The Armenia diaspora has been
following President Obama as well,
and waiting for the official recognition
of the Armenian Genocide by
the United States.
“Political compromise is not a solution
to this problem,” said Daniel
Varoujan Hejinian, the founder
of Peace of Art, Inc. He added that
recognition of the Armenian genocide
will contribute to discouraging
future use of genocide as a sociopolitical
solution. “In addition, it
will contribute to the political stabilization
in the region, and it will
improve and normalize relations
between Armenia and Turkey.”
connect: PeaceofArt.org
Illuminator Armenian Apostolic
Church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations
to: St. Gregory Armenian
Apostolic Church, 8701 Ridge Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19128.
Onstage at the
Kennedy Center
Family Theater:
“The Georgetown
Boys”
WASHINGTON – Following the
Armenian Genocide of 1915, thousands
of children were orphaned.
From these, 109 were brought to
Georgetown, Canada, to be trained
as farmers. “Canada’s noble experiment”
has been called the country’s
first humanitarian act on an international
scale, yet the young refugees
were to face culture shock and
discrimination in their adopted
home.
On April 25, the Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural
Society New Jersey Chapter–Youth
Theater Group will bring their story
to life in a production organized
by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative
Committee of Greater
Washington.
“The Georgetown Boys,” a musical
by Herand Markarian, will be onstage
at the John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts Family
Theater, 2700 F St. NW. Washington,
D.C., at 7:30 p.m.
connect:
Elo Tanashian 1-301-740-2751
or Garbis Muradian 1-703-836-0827
(10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)