BENJAMIN ROBERT SARKISIAN

Benjamin Robert Sarkisian, born on February 4, 1926, in Monmouth, California, died at his home in Fresno on Friday, February 18, 2011. He was the third child of Kenneth and Ruth Sarkisian. Bob attended Monroe Grammar School and Caruthers High School. Bob joined the United States Coast Guard at age 17 after graduating from high school. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific as a radio technician on LST 20 and participated in the first wave landing at Leyte on October 20, 1944, Luzon on January 9, 1945, and Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945. After the war Bob worked in the meat and grocery business and became a partner in the Home Market. He loved golf, gardening, hunting and fishing. He belonged to the South Dos Palos Duck Club, the Knights of Vartan, Fresno Triple X Fraternity, and Fort Washington Country Club. He was especially proud of his daughter Mimi Sarkisian who appeared in the Academy Award winning film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." A message from Bob: To my family and friends, I love you. No tears, just a smile, until we meet again. Take care of yourself, be good and stay on the right side of the road. You are very precious to me. Bye. Bob is survived by his sister, Virginia Krikorian; and his brother, Lee Sarkisian. He is also survived by his daughters, Lori Taylor and Mimi Sarkisian from his marriage to Janet Arslanian Cloonan; son-in-law, attorney Stephen Taylor; son-in-law, Mel Flores; grandchildren, Matthew Schiller and his wife Julie, Patrick and Adam Taylor, and Emily and Natalie Flores; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Logan and Sofia Schiller; niece, Susan Krikorian; nephew, Rick Sarkisian and his wife Melanie; niece, Cindy Crownover and her husband Charles; and nephew, Craig Arslanian. Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home, 1002 'T' Street in Fresno on Friday, February 25, 2011, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, 3673 N. First Street in Fresno on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to VA Central California, Health Care Systems, Department 135, 2615 E. Clinton Avenue, Fresno, Ca. 93703. Please include "For PTSD" on the check.