HARRY HAROLD YEGAN

Harry Harold Yegan passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2010. We are saddened and will miss him terribly. He was born to Armenian immigrants Carl and Rose Yegan on August 30, 1915, in Hoboken, N.J. They brought him to Fresno by train when he was just three years old. Even as a youngster, his life-long work ethic was being formed as he helped his father deliver produce with a horse and wagon. Harry had a sister, Pearle, and brother Dick, both of whom predeceased him. He attended Emerson Elementary, Longfellow Junior and Roosevelt High School. He met his wife Elizabeth "Liz" at a church youth group dance in the basement of Holy Trinity Armenian Church. A 67 year marriage ensued and the births of their precious sons Richard and Kenneth. Before her death two years ago, Harry faithfully cared for Liz during her lengthy illness. When war broke out in 1941, Harry tried to enlist but could not pass the physical due to a punctured ear drum. So he did his part by making battleship propellers at the Mare Island Navy Yard. After the war he went into the dry cleaning business with his brother Dick in Sanger. They worked hard, saved their money and Yegan Cleaners flourished. Harry and Liz were blessed with two beautiful granddaughters, Ashley and Lindsay. They were the perfect grandparents and their granddaughters adored them. Each visit was accompanied by the traditional apple fritters and no holiday was complete without their Nana and Poppy. Retirement, well earned, was good to Harry and Liz. They were able to travel to Europe, Hawaii and the Caribbean with their friends. Harry remained active his entire life. He bowled for over 50 years on many teams and was quite accomplished. He was also an avid swimmer and he kept up both sports into his nineties. Liz and Harry were adamant about staying in their dream home rather than a retirement home, which they were able to do with the assistance of their companions, Mary Aguirre and Hilda Cebelas, who cared for them for more than seven years. If the dictionary were to give an example of the Puritan work ethic, the name Harry Yegan would be listed. As a second generation Armenian American, Harry was the epitome of how to succeed in America. He stood for hard work, honesty, integrity and love and care of family. He is much loved and already missed, but we are comforted knowing that his life of 94 years was a good one. Harry is survived by sons, Richard Yegan of Clovis, and Kenneth Yegan of Westlake Village, Ca.; granddaughters, Ashley Bininger of Valley Village, Ca. and Lindsay McClain of Nashville, Tn. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the Yegan home.