On this sad occasion, the Pastor, Board of Trustees, and all the auxiliary bodies of St. Sarkis Church, extend their heartfelt sympathy to Abraham's family members.
Abraham “Abe” Karapetian was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on January 21, 1926, he was the youngest son of Horan and Nazane (nee Esahakian) Karapetian. Throughout their lives, Abe and his older brothers, Armenak, Levon (Leon/”Lou”), and Peter (Barouer) enjoyed close relationships with each other as they supported their parents’ efforts to sustain the family after fleeing atrocities by the Turks and Bolshevik Russians in their northern Armenian village of Ortakilisa.
Abe’s interest in everything mechanical began in his youth. His earliest hobby was building and flying model airplanes, which carried into his mechanical arts classes at Fordson High School. After Fordson Abe served his country during WW II as a Staff Sergeant in charge of the Headquarters Motor Pool at the U.S. Army Air Corps base in Schweinfurt, Germany. After the war Abe returned home, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Detroit Institute of Technology in 1949. He was recalled to U.S. Air Force military service during the Korean conflict, this time as a flight radio operator in the 509th Bombing Wing, flying daily sorties along the western Russian border.
In 1952 Abe began his lengthy and successful 36-year career in Detroit as a facility engineer with Chrysler Corporation.
Away from his professional career Abe developed yet another passion: adventuring in the great outdoors. Early on, he built his own small boat, which led to a life-long love of fishing. He hunted wild game in and outside Michigan and always invited his brothers and family members to join him in countless camping trips in the U.S. and the wilds of Canada. Amid all this, Abe invested much of his leisure time teaching his nephews and nieces all that he could share about fishing, hunting, firearms, and camping. He also served as a Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America, again sharing his love of the outdoors.
Never married, Abe took responsibility for caring for his parents in his home. After his parents passed and after his retirement, Abe relocated to North Ft. Myers, Florida, where he spent most of his retirement years deep-water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. An avid boater, he was elected Commodore of his fishing community, a role he carried with great pride.
Abe is best remembered as a faithful and dedicated son, brother, and uncle who always stepped up to build or repair anything for anyone in need and who shared his considerable skills and generous heart with family and friends at every opportunity.
FAMILY MEMBERS
Abe was predeceased by his beloved parents, Horan and Nazanne, and dear brothers Armenak, Levon and Peter Karapetian.
He is survived by his loving nephews and nieces, David (Jan) Karapetian, Paul Karapetian, Ophelia (the late John) Alalabakoff, Elizabeth (the late Ronald) Serafin, Arthur Karapetian, and Eleanor Karapetian; and predeceased by Aswan (Marjam) Karapetian, Roxanne (the late Donald) Kalvelage, Haik Karapetian, and Margaret Karapetian.
Abe is also mourned by many other relatives and friends.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Private inurnment took place in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date.
May his soul rest in peace.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
Abraham's
family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory be made to St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church (to make memorial donation online
Cli
ck Here
).
CONDOLENCES
