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BORN
1925
DIED
2020
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Raphael Missirian Obituary
Franklin - Raphael A. Missirian, July 2, 2020 entered this world on Christmas Day, 1925 in Aleppo, Syria to devoted Armenian Christian parents Assadour and Araxie Missirian, as the third of eight children. A gifted linguist, Raphael was fluent in six languages - Armenian, English, French, Arabic, Italian and Turkish. In 1954 he relocated to Baghdad as a civil engineer to supervise the construction of the 100 mile Baghdad-Kirkuk highway. It was in Baghdad where he met the love of his life, Anahid Hovnanian. Raphael and Anahid's engagement came in November of 1955 and they were married on April 8, 1956. Soon after came three daughters Mania (1957), Sonia (1959) and Maral (1963). After fleeing Iraq via Beirut, he successfully moved the family to the United States in 1963, landing in Philadelphia. Later they moved to Mt. Laurel, NJ, Wellington, FL and in 2018 to Franklin, TN to live close to family. Never was a meal partaken without a toast to life and positive prose saluting life to the fullest. These daily festivities often included nightly dancing and Armenian music. In October of 2019, Raffi and Ano took first place in Franklin's Senior Talent by singing a rendition of "Forever And Ever"; a song that they had been singing to each other continuously over their 64 years of marriage. That evening they received a standing ovation at the sold-out Franklin Theatre - a crescendo to a life well-lived.
Raphael is preceded in life by his wife, Anahid, daughters; Mania Missirian, Sonia Kouyoumdjian(Vahe), Maral Missirian-Dill (Stuart Dill), brother Hirair Missirian (Lucy), sisters Manig Hagopian and Sybil Aprahamian, grandchildren Sevan Topjian(Keri), Talar Saraffian (Raffi), Haiig Topjian (Nila), Nina Achadjian (Hratch), Shaunt Kouyoumdjian, Raffi Kouyoumdjian, Ani Missirian-Wilson (John Wilson), Ohan Missirian-Dill and eight great- grandchildren; Van, Siroon, Mane, Noone, Zareh, Shahen, Thadeos, Lina and another baby girl due in November, and many beloved nieces and nephews across the globe.
There will be a private family graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Franklin, Tennessee on Sunday, July 5, 2020. For complete obituary and online guestbook, go to AustinFuneralService.com 615-377-0775
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Austin Funeral & Cremation Services, LLC5115 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027
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