Martin J. AZARIAN

AZARIAN, Martin J.
Martin J. Azarian, 90, of Bloomfield and Old Lyme, died Thursday, (September 19, 2013). Born in Hartford on May 30 (the "real" Memorial Day), 1923, Martin was the son of Armenian immigrants, the late Jacob and Nevart Azarigian. Upon graduating from Weaver High School, Hartford, Class of 1942, "Marty" worked as a draftsman at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford. During World War II, Marty served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force, participating in the European theater. Assigned to the 484th Bomb Group, the 15th Air Force, Tech Sergeant Azarian flew as both a ball and tail turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator. On December 6, 1944, a day the family commemorates every year, Marty was shot down over Graz, Austria, captured and taken prisoner of war in Barth, Germany. Six months later, Marty escaped with two other POWs in a rowboat and trekked eastward, walking five days to freedom. Marty began J.M. Azarian Builders in 1948. He married his sweetheart, Carmela A. Dellaripa, on September 6, 1954, moving to Bloomfield in 1957 to the home he built to raise his family. Summertime was in Miami Beach, Old Lyme, where the master builder continually puttered in the shed, always fixing, painting or rustproofing something. He loved walking through the beach streets, right until his final days, with a twinkle in his green eyes, a kind smile and always a minute to chat. Marty was fiercely proud of his Armenian roots. His love for family was undeniable. Marty is survived by his daughters Roseanne June Azarian of Middletown and Carol Elizabeth Macdonald of Chester and his granddaughter Olivia Rose Macdonald, who made him so proud and joyful. Marty is also survived by his sister Agnes Adajian, best friend Robert Rustigian and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Marty was predeceased by his wife Carmela, his son Martin and his brothers Edward and Gregory. The family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Arthur B. Landry, Jr., the cardiologist whose care was always so valued by Marty, whom he called "Buddy." A special thanks to Price Rite, Windsor, for their kindness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, September 24 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave., Bloomfield. Burial with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Bloomfield. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. For directions and to share condolences online, visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.