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Oshagan Minassian Obituary

Of Watertown, July 26, 2008. Beloved son of the late Karnig and Sirvart Minassian. Loving brother of Alice Palandjian and her husband Haroutune and Zaven Minassian and his wife Rachel. Cousin of Nancy Moscofian. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Services at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge on Thursday, July 31 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Armenian Church. Prayer Services at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the above named church. Interment at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown. Arrangements by Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, WATERTOWN.

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Published by Boston Globe from Jul. 29 to Jul. 30, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Oshagan Minassian

18 Entries

Seroun Wang

June 13, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Robert Dini

August 12, 2008

To say Father Oshagan was an inspiration is not enough, for his beautiful life remains a great example of endurance and love -- love for his family, his friends, his congregation and his music, which is now resounding in heaven. When I returned to Boston, I was honored to be put center stage with Father's wonderful Erevan Chorus. This was a highlight of my singing career that has given me great memories and great pleasure. More importantly, we shall miss his humor and the wonderful presence of a man of deep spirituality and artistry who showed us how to live life to the fullest while enduring his physical limitations. Nancy and Mark join me in expressing our deepest sympathies and condolences to all the many people whose lives he touched.

Kimberly Boghossian

August 11, 2008

I actually just found out of his passing last Sunday at the church that I go to in Providence (Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church). I have been singing in the (Prov.) choir for about 3 years & when I found out this news, my face was in shock inside. I received a couple cassette tapes in the beginning of my choir journey & he is actually singing my favorite season of Lent & Christmas on them. He has a most wonderful voice. Sometimes when I visited the Cambridge church I saw him & all his different expressions. People tell me that he didn't smile alot in public, maybe because of the diving incident, but I didn't believe anyone. He did in fact tell some funny jokes when he told me & my family to sit down with him. He will never be missed for sure. Hayr Simeon even adressed that in one of his sermons that he was a beloved man to be around and be able to talk to. I am looking forward to coming to future picnics at the church, such as his 40th & so on to remember him more by. Also if I'm not mistaken I think Fr. Oshagan is in our church history of former priests, an interesting fact of history. May he rest in peace and always be in all our prayers.

Kim, Susan, Drtad, Deran and Mary Hazarvartian/Bergoudian

August 6, 2008

Fr. Oshagan was not only a kind, gentle, loving man with wisdom that is unmatched by many, however my parents grew up with him from the time he was young.

My father (Nerses Bergdoudian) and Der Hayr were special friends, not only sharing the music, love of the Armenian culture, jokes (multitude) and the history of the Armenian Church. They would have hours of conversation. When my dad passed Der Hayr was their for my mom, checkin in on her and helping her through his phone conversations.

The one thing that stands in my mind are his heartfelt concerts (amazing). Each year I would attend his Christmas concert and tears would come to my eyes with the angelic sound of music. They always were inspiring and definite brought you into the spirit. His other concerts brought the pride of the Armenian culture to heart. We are ARMENIAN, We have MUSIC and we need to be proud of our culture/heritage Always!

Der Oshagan will certainly be missed, but we hope that his Erevan Choral Society will perform in his memory as a remembrance of this cheerful, loving, caring, intelligent, witty and inspiring person that he is/was.

Our deepest sympathy to his family.

Anne Rowe

August 3, 2008

Father Oshagan has a special place in my heart. With his funny jokes (he had a new one each time we met) and with his serious conversations as well as lighthearted talk, he has made an impression on me that will never disappear. I think of him and his family often and wish them peace in this difficult time.

Yeghish Manusharyan, Hayr Soorp, Melik Mavisakalyan by Jirair

July 30, 2008

Yeghish, Hayr Soorp, Melik, Diramayr by Jirair

July 30, 2008

Hayr Soorp after concert celebration by Jirair

July 30, 2008

Yeghish Manusharyan, Melik Mavisakalyan, Hayr Soorp, Sirvart Minassian

Jirair Hovsepian

July 30, 2008

I always admired this kind, generous, humorous, courageous, and musical man who kept the Boston community on its feet with his music. He left us, but he left his indelible imprint on the community and the lives of many, including myself. It was thru him that I met my lovely wife, Ani. It was because of him that I joined the Yerevan Choral Society for 2 seasons. He has found his place among the angels who will make up his choral group for eternity.
May he enjoy God's peace in His presence.

Yeghish Manusharyan, Hayr Soorp, Melik Mavisakalyan

Jirair Hovsepian

July 30, 2008

Fr. Vartan Kassabian

July 30, 2008

It is with a sense of deep loss that we heard of the passing of Fr. Oshagan, a truly devoted and faithful servant of Jesus Christ and the Armenian Church to which Fr. Oshagan devoted the greater part of his life. I was truly in awe of Hayr Soorp's faith and resilience even in the face of the many difficulties that he endured throughout his life.
I am certain that our Lord has now welcomed Hayr Soorp into the Heavenly Gates where he will sing the praises of our God for all of eternity. Hayr Soorp thank you for all that you gave to the Armenian Church and to our culture as a true son of the Armenian People.

Fr. Vartan Kassabian,
Methuen, Mass.

Apo Ashjian

July 30, 2008

It is with deepest sorrow that we heard of the passing of our dear Hayr Soorp. He has finally entered his eternal rest, to be with his mother where he always wanted to be.

Hayr Soorp was one of the greatest supporters of the Sayat Nova Dance Company (SNDC) and whenever I was at his house giving him haircuts, he always took a moment and prayed for us. He was extremely proud of SNDC and after every one of the Group’s performances, it was a guarantee that Hayr Soorp will pick up the phone and call me to give his praises as well as to critique. I appreciated his advice and wisdom very much and learned a lot from him.

He unselfishly shared his choir recordings with Sayat Nova and we have choreographed and performed to a number of them. We will forever be grateful to Hayr Soorp for helping us add to our repertoire. I’ve known Hayr Soorp to be one of the most dedicated men to his culture as, year after year, he shared his music with this community with some of the biggest names in the music industry. He was an icon and a great loss. We will miss him terribly.

On behalf of the Sayat Nova Dance Company membership, we extend our sincerest condolences to his sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Haroutune Palandjian and to our very own members Jack, Shaghig, Sevag and Talar Palanjians.

Thank you Hayr Soorp, for your kindness, generosity, leadership and for putting music in our hearts and smiles on our faces. We will miss you. May you rest in peace.

On behalf of SNDC
Executive Committee and membership

Sarkis & Anahid Salakian

July 29, 2008

My sister and I joined the Erevan Choral Society in 1973 and never missed a concert or a rehearsal all this because of our love and respect for our beloved Hayr Soorp, the icon of the Armenian community and the community at large. I worked very closely with him both as a singer and also as his stage manager. We have lost a very dear friend and will miss him terribly. May he rest in peace. Asvadz hokin loosavoreh.

Fr. Antranig Baljian

July 29, 2008

I first met Fr. Oshagan when I was a teenager living in Worcester. He organized a joint Worcester-Whitinsville Chorus which I, my sister, my future wife and many of my friends sang in. I will be forever grateful to Hayr Soorp for instilling within me at such a tender age a deep love and appreciation of our beautiful Armenian music. Aside from being reunited with his beloved mother in Heaven, I think Hayr Soorp got a new "Bashdon" there: directing the angelic choir; unfettered by wordly cares or human frailties, his spirit soars with peace and joy.

May God illuminate his soul.

Der Antranig

Anoush, Hrair, Greg, Armen, Haig Dekmejian

July 29, 2008

We were so sad to hear of Fr. Oshagan's passing...he was more than a friend...he was our loving brother. There are no words that can express our love for him and not enough tears that can express our sadness. May his soul rest in peace and may God comfort his family and close friends who were always there for him.

Nancy Kalajian

July 29, 2008

Fr. Oshagan was a special man - he loved music, always encouraged me to join his choral group, had so many stories and jokes to tell and share with others. When he told a joke or riddle (of which he must have had hundreds up his sleeve since I never heard the same one twice), he looked so carefully at you when he came to the punchline; I think he wanted to make sure that you "got it." I think it brought him satisfaction and happiness to know he brought joy and laughter to someone else's life (despite his own hardships). What an honor it was to know him - as a pastor and a friend. His life was a special gift. My sympathy to all his loved ones.

Lalig Musserian

July 29, 2008

I sang for several years in Hayr Sour's beloved Yerevan Choral Society and will always remember his bright smile and twinkle in his eyes. He loved his music and his choir and I will always be grateful for the numerous Armenian songs and their stories I learned from Hayr Sourp. Rest in peace, our dear Father Oshagan, I will always remember you in my prayers.

Ed Shahzade

July 29, 2008

You were an exceptional man. I will remember you forever in a very special way. You are Fr Oshagan.
For decades everyone knew you could only give kindness and wisdom. I will always love you.

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