Charles Karabeth Bujuklian

1925 - 2017

CHARLES KARABETH BUJUKLIAN
September 9, 1925 – March 27, 2017
Resident of Saratoga
Karabeth Bujuklian was born September 9, 1925 in Lyon, France. His parents, Nichan M. and Marguerite Ketchian Bujuklian had fled to France during the Armenian Holocaust. He was the oldest of their 10 children.
Karabeth served in the French Army during WWII. In 1951 he came to America with three of his sisters to work on an uncle's farm. He was asked to change his name to a more-American name, so he picked "Charles". He was very proud to be an American.
He met the love of his life, Jennie Tewell, in Reedley, California. They were married April 25, 1951, and soon had a son, Jon. One year later they had a daughter, Michele, and the family was complete. In 1953 they moved to Elko, Nevada. Charles worked for Safeway stores (where the handsome Frenchman was nicknamed "Frenchy" by customers and friends). He also worked many side jobs to support his family and help bring the rest of the family from France.
In 1961 the remaining family moved from France to Fresno, California. So, in 1962, Charles moved his family to San Jose to be closer to them.
Charles took his marriage vows very seriously. In 1972, Jennie became brain-damaged. Rather than putting her in a home, he cared for her for the remainder of his life.
In 2012 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia. He was lovingly cared for by Jon and Michele until his passing Monday, March 27, 2017. He leaves behind his wife, Jennie Bujuklian, son Jon (Nele) Bujuklian, daughter, Michele (Terry) Zink. Grandchildren: Michael (Deborah) Zink, Korey (Kim) Bujuklian, Mark Bujuklian, Trevor (Jennifer) Zink, and Joel (Yvonne) Denney. Great-grandchildren: Christian and Elizabeth Bujuklian; Anna, Madeline, and Charlotte Zink; Faith, Lily, and Zachary Zink; Madison, Chloe, Mason, and Charlotte Denny. Also siblings: Rosette (Roy) Weins, Germaine Blanc, Lucie Ciciarelli, Leon (Katrina) Manou, Marcel Durant, Christianne (Ray) Carlson, Josette Sirabian, and Andre Manoux, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother Jeannot Manou.
Funeral services will be held at Darling & Fischer Funeral Home, 615 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030, on Sat., April 8th (viewing 11:00-12:00; service 12-1:00). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 2290 N. First Street #101, San Jose, CA 95131.


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