Dr. Nishan J. Kechejian

Of Brocckton, a general and vascular surgeon, died on Friday, May 25, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 74. His widow is the former Rita Basmajian. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January. Dr. Kechejian was born in New York on December 9, 1932 to the late Nazaret and Araxy Kechejian. He graduated from Bates College in 1955 and Georgetown Univ. School of Medicine in 1960. He was a member of the Blue/Grey Society at Georgetown. He interned at Georgetown Univ. Hospital and conducted his residency in surgery at the Meadowbrook Hospital in Long Island. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1963. He and his beloved Rita settled in Brockton in 1968. During his distinguished medical career, Dr. Kechejian was on staff at the Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center for 39 years where he also served as a Trustee. In addition, he practiced at the Brockton Hospital, the Goddard Memorial Hospital, the New England Sinai Hospital, and the Lakeville Hospital. He served as a senior clinical instructor in surgery at the Tufts Univ. School of Medicine and a clinical instructor in surgery at the Boston Univ. School of Medicine. He was instrumental in training numerous surgical residents and medical students and contributed to several medical societies. In the larger medical community, Dr. Kechejian was appointed to the Mass. Board of Registration in Medicine in 1993 and served as chairman in 1997 and 1998. Locally, he was known as an avid GOP supporter and served as a Brockton City Councilor for eight years, 1977-1985. He was a member of the Thorney Lea Golf Club where he formerly served on the Board of Directors. Dr. Kechejian actively supported the Armenian community. He was a faithful parishioner at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cambridge where he served as a Diocesan Delegate for the Eastern Diocese. He was a member of the Armenian Assembly and testified before the U.S. State Dept. in support of aid to Armenia following its independence in 1989. He was also a founding member of ARMEN-PAC, a political action committee for the benefit of Armenians worldwide. In addition to his wife, Dr. Kechejian is survived by six children; Dr. Gregory Kechejian (Kathleen) of Milton, Steven Kechejian (Linda) of Arlington, Dr. Peter Kechejian (Joanne) of Ft. Salonga, NY, Atty. John Kechejian of Dallas, TX, Paul Kechejian of Dallas, TX, Atty. Ruth Kechejian Lenahan (Timothy) of Scranton, PA. and the late Mark Kechejian. He was also the grandfather of 10 loving grandchildren and dear brother of Dr. Sarkis Kechejian (Ida) of Dallas, TX. Services will be held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge on Wednesday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours in the Mt. Auburn Chapel of the Giragosian Funeral Home, 576 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown on Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church or the new Emergency Room Fund at the Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, 235 N. Pearl St., Brockton, MA 02301. For directions and guest book, please visit www.giragosianfuneralhome.com. Giragosian Funeral Home 617-924-0606