Bernard “Ben” Akillian, formerly of Ashland, October 2, 2014. Beloved husband of Vivian (Cormier) Akillian. Devoted father of Joyce Rossignol and her husband Charles, Steven Akillian and his wife Phyllis and Gail Phillips and her husband Eric. Loving grandfather of Chris Rossignol, Jacqui Rossignol and Zachary Phillips. Brother of the late Victoria Assarian, Setrak, Sarkis and Nubar Akillian. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral Service at Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church, 200 Lexington St., Belmont on Monday, October 6 at 11:00am. Visiting hours at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home ,558 Mt. auburn St., Watertown on Sunday from 2 – 5 pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church. Interment at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.
The following article was written in honor of Bernard “Ben” Akillian at the time of his induction into the Watertown High School Athletic Hall of fame.
The Watertown High School Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction ceremony and banquet on Friday, May 2 at the Hellenic Cultural Center on Bigelow Avenue in Watertown. One of our own, Bernard “Ben” Akillian, who is the current Chairman of our Parish Council will be honored on that joyous evening. Ben has been a lifelong member of the Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church. His parents and siblings made up one of the original founding families of our church at the time of Father (later to be Bishop) Lorez Kogy. Ben was an outstanding scholar-athlete at Watertown High School, Ben was offered a professional baseball contract with the New York Yankees but chose to attend Harvard College instead. Ben played for the legendary John P. “Stuffy” McInnis. Ben was one of the Ivy League’s best outfielders, a hard hitter who displayed major league potential with his running, fielding and throwing skills. Upon his graduation from Harvard, Ben was again approached by the New York Yankees and other major league baseball teams who were interested in signing him to a minor league contract. Although greatly tempted to pursue a career in professional baseball, Ben wisely followed the advice and counsel of his older brother, Nubar, and attended Harvard Business School. After military service, Ben joined the federal government, and retired after 37 and half years of federal service. He lived most of his married life with his wife Vivian, his children and grandchildren in Ashland. MA. Ben’s family summered many years at their favourite place, Camp Wulamat on Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. Veteran U.S Army