Joseph Kiljian
...Phoenix Project resident; 92
TEWKSBURY - Joseph Kiljian, 92, a resident of the Phoenix Project, died Wednesday morning,Feb. 27, at his Roy Way residence.
He was born in Chicopee, Feb. 23, 1910, a son of the late Stanislaw and Marya (Borzuchowska)Kiljian, but has lived in assisted care facilities throughout his life.
He was an original member of the Phoenix Project. The project was comprised of a group ofeight men who faced various mental and physical disabilities who had been together in long termresidence at Hedstom’s Nursing Home in Tewksbury. When the nursing home closed, the variousstate social service departments recognized the bond and nurturing that had grown within thegroup and arranged to keep the men together. Through the efforts of many local activists andwith the support of many politicians, they were initially moved to the Flucker Heights communitycenter building, which was modified for their use as a residence. Later, a new building,specifically designed to meet the needs of the group was erected between Flucker Heights andthe Saunders Circle elderly complex on Livingston Street. With the death of Mr. Kiljian, there isone member surviving from the original group, although the program continues at full occupancy.
Joe leaves no known relatives, but he is survived by numerous friends, volunteers, andprofessional staff members who he had befriended during his lifetime.
Committal prayerswere offered on Saturday, Mar. 2, in Tewksbury Cemetery.