Gechijian, Haig of Winchester, MA.,passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at his home in Winchester, at the age of 100. Son of the late George and Nartoohy (Bagdigian) Gechijian, and brother to the late Arshag and Armen Gechijian, of Belmont, MA.
Beloved husband of the late Patricia (Moushegian) Gechijian. Devoted and loving father of David Garo Gechijian of Boston, Mark Aram Gechijian of Arlington, and Pamela Lee Gechijian of Boston.
Also survived by many other loving family members and friends.
Funeral service at Saint James Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, on Tuesday, March 11 at 11:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the church on Tuesday morning from 10:00 – 11:00, immediately prior to the funeral service. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.
Contributions in Haig’s memory may be made to the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, 186 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111 or to Saint James Armenian Church, Watertown, MA 02472.
Interment at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. Veteran WW II, US Army.
Haig was born March 29, 1924 in Everett, Massachusetts to the late George & Nartoohy (Bagdigian) Gechijian. He was raised in Arlington, and was a graduate of Arlington High School, class of 1941. Following high school, Haig moved to Belmont, Ma. with his family. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served in Southeast Asia during World War II, as a technician in the 68th Signal Battalion. Upon returning home from service Haig attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Ma., with the assistance of the G.I. Bill. He graduated MIT in 1948, with a degree in General Engineering. He began his professional career at Jarvis Engineering Co., in Boston, Ma., followed by employment at Lincoln Laboratory, in Lexington, Ma. From 1959 to 1972 he was employed by The Mitre Corporation in Bedford, Ma., where he served as the Associate Director of General Services. His major role was the planning and construction inspection of a new 100,000 sq. ft. office building in McLean, Virginia, to serve as the corporation’s headquarters. It was at Mitre Corp. that he met his beloved wife, Patricia, with whom he would later have three children, David, Mark, and Pamela. He married Patricia in 1966, and settled in Winchester, Ma., where he raised his family, and resided until his passing. In 1972 Haig began his employment with MIT, where he served as Manager of Engineering Services in the Physical Plant Department for 20 years, until his retirement in 1992. During this time, he was instrumental in providing mechanical and electrical engineering support throughout the planning, design, and construction phases of all new buildings on campus. Major projects that he was directly responsible for include the Arts & Media Technology Building, a Medical Services Building, a Special Events Center, and a Student Housing Facility. In addition to his vital role as employee at MIT, Haig also forged many lifelong friends, and deeply entrenched himself in the MIT community throughout the duration of his life.
Outside of work, Haig found a deep-rooted sense of connection and brotherhood as a Freemason. Initiated in 1950, he was installed as Worshipful Master of the Hesperia Lodge in 1959, and after 50 years of faithful service was anointed the title of Senior Past Master. His 100th birthday marked his 74TH year of membership with the organization. In addition to the Masons, Haig also found fellowship as an active member of St. James Armenian Church in Watertown, Ma., in company with his two brothers, Arshag & Armen. He was a frequent participant of the monthly Men’s Club and Hye Café get-togethers. Haig always enjoyed gathering with friends and family, particularly when good food was involved.
Haig was an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life. For much of the 1970’s and 1980’s Haig was a key member of a limited group of personnel responsible for filming and editing game footage for the Harvard Crimson Football Team, as well as The New England Patriots. The coaches would utilize the film to analyze and enhance game performance and strategy. Haig was passionate about this hobby, and enjoyed traveling with the teams on most weekends during game season. In his later years Haig could always be found enjoying televised sports, and rarely missed a game involving our local teams.
Haig also had a steadfast love for the ocean. As a young boy he spent weekends with his family on the shores of Manomet, Plymouth. His brother, Armen, later purchased a home in the seaside town of Humarock Beach, Marshfield, where the family summered for many years. Once married, Haig built his own beachfront vacation home for his wife and children in Humarock. His summers were punctuated with family cookouts, fishing with his sons, and simply enjoying soaking up the sun.
When not relaxing Haig was always fixing something, and using his engineering skills and smarts to assist neighbors and friends with any mechanical issue they may have encountered. He never shied away from lending a helping hand, and became revered for always knowing how to solve any problem. A man of high intellect, Haig was also very soft spoken and approachable. Even-tempered and kind, he was always concerned most with the well-being of those around him, even in times of his own recent health challenges. Silent but strong, Haig was a fighter. He never gave up pushing forward in life, whether in advance of his career, providing for his family, or in the face of set-backs. He enriched the lives of many through his kind acts and words, wisdom, and sharp wit. He will forever be missed by all who knew him.