My eulogy to my Dad Vahe Kazandjian
Posted on February. 27. 2020
by Lucy Kazandjian Forcheskie
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lucy Kazandjian Forcheskie and I am Vahe’s daughter. As I stand here, I see many friends and family that have come a distance to be here to honor my dad. My Dad had such a charismatic personality where he could walk into a room not knowing anyone but by the end of the night everyone loved him. Once you met my dad, it would leave a lasting impression. My brothers and I would joke, “Dad has the gift of gab”. I can only speak for myself, but when I think of the impression he left on my life, the first word that comes to mind is admiration.
I could stand here and list all the ways I admire my dad, but that would take all day. So I’d like to focus on 3 key reasons. First and foremost, was his love and commitment to my mother. My father adored my mother. I have fond memories of them laughing and joking amongst each other while playing backgammon. They would speak to one another in Arabic, their secret language as my brothers and I called it, since we only knew how to speak English and Armenian. They had such chemistry. They were the best of friends. My parents were happily married for 47 years and during his last days, his only concern was for Mom’s well -being, not his own impending mortality.
Second, I admire my dad for the kind of father he was to my brothers and I. He was always so loving, playful and encouraging to all of us. My dad would close his mechanics shop and take us on month long cross county camping trips. He took us fishing, swimming, hiking, dirt bike riding, target shooting, you name it, we experienced it with my dad. In 1979, I was diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes and shortly after my brothers were also diagnosed with the same chronic disease. Having three children with juvenile diabetes was a daunting task, but my dad took it with stride. He reached out to all the doctors and would fix all of their cars at no cost just to ensure that we were receiving the best care possible.
I remember for the first week after my diagnoses, I had to stay at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles while my parents learned how to care for me before I could go home. Staying at the hospital was scary since I was only five and didn’t understand what was going on but my dad did everything, he could to make my stay enjoyable and comfortable. One evening after visiting hours, my father surprised me with a brand new bright red wagon filled with stuffed animals and toys. Before placing me in the wagon, he looked me in the eye, smiled and said in Armenian. “Toon ee-mine ahckig es es. Toon Katch Hi Ash chee gess. Yes ke ze shag ga see rem., translated: You are my daughter. You’re a brave Armenian girl. I love you very much. He placed me in the wagon and pulled me through the halls of the children’s wing at Children’s Hospital. After that day, I faced my diabetes head on and continue managing it fearlessly. My dad was the type of man that didn’t easily get discouraged. He faced adversity head on fearlessly.
Lastly, I admire my dad for being so dedicated to teaching me to speak Armenian and teaching me the importance of knowing where my family/ethnic roots lie. He would always tell my brothers and I, “Hyren ccc -oo se”., translated “speak Armenian.” Dad would always say you’re American Armenian but don’t forget the Armenian Part. He would tell me stories of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and how his father, my grandfather was a genocide survivor. Dad would say, “it did happen, Me more nar.” translated DON’T FORGET. Dad, I promise you, I will not forget and will pass down our Armenian history and culture to my sons as you did to me.
My dad was a man of honor, dignity, and integrity. He taught me many things but those three traits he instilled in me. He led by example.
I can go on and on about all the fond memories I have of my father and all the special things I learned from him, but words cannot express how much my dad meant to me. Dad, I love you and I will miss you tremendously. I am so grateful for the time I had with you and so glad my husband and sons got to know you as well.
May God Rest Your soul.
Vahe Kazandjian: A legacy of a Goodwill Ambassador for Armenia,
a devoted soldier for democracy and freedom, a deserving son of Armenia
BY APPO JABARIAN
Years ago, when I met Vahe for the first time, it was clear to me that he was being guided by a strong sense of mission to positively impact his friends, his community and his nation.
I also noticed a similarity between him and my father. Both served in the armed forces. My father served in the French Army stationed in Lebanon during World War II and then he was invited to join then newly formed Lebanese Army. Vahe has served in three national armies: Egypt, USA and Artsakh Liberation Army.
Vahe’s genuine smile reflected a rich spiritual inner self.
The Armenian Nation along with the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh) and Armenian Diaspora have lost a great friend and a supporter of Armenian Cause with the passing of Mr. Vahe Kazandjian.
Vahe was a role model for many in the Armenian American community and beyond.
His legacy as a genuine friend, a Goodwill Ambassador for Armenia, a devoted soldier for democracy and freedom who lived in the shadow of humility, will be venerated by today’s and coming generations.
I knew for a long time that Vahe’s children suffered from infant diabetes. Along with his devoted wife Seta, Vahe looked after his children. Yet he also fought with tooth and nail for the right to exist and prosper for other people’s – his fellow Armenians children in faraway Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). In order to defend them physically against tyrannical and despotic occupier Turkish Azedrbaijanis of Artsakh, He enlisted in the Armenian Defense Forces of Artsakh and served valiantly yet he remained in the shadow of humility.
Whenever he saw a fellow human being; a fellow Armenian grappling with adverse conditions of life, he would go out of his way to help guide that person out of the mazes of life.
Just before passing, Vahe was struck with the premature passing of his youngest son Christopher. May their pathway to eternity in the company of our Lord be forever illuminated.
Vahe and Christopher are survived by Mrs. Seta Kazandjian (wife, mother), Leon Kazandjian (son, brother) and Lucy Kazandjian Forcheskie (daughter, sister)
Staff members of USA Armenian Life Magazine and Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly express their condolences to the Kazandjian family, relatives and friends