Dr. Vartan (Van) Ghugasian, DMD of Arlington, formerly of Watertown, passed away unexpectedly on May 23, 2022. Vartan was the beloved brother of the late Armen Ghugasian, beloved son of the late Jack and Takuhe (Seferian) Ghugasian,. Cousin of Paul Seferian and his wife Penny of Medway, Diane Sheperd and her husband Ed of Arizona, Charles Seferian of Medford, Liz (Karaian) Gardner of Maine and Sarah Karaian of Lexington.. Vartan is also survived by many loving relatives of the Seferian, Minakyan, Candan, Giritlian, and Karaian families.
Vartan completed his undergraduate studies at Tufts University and his professional studies at the Tufts School of Dental Medicine and went on to open a private prosthodontist practice on Boylston Street, moving to the Fresh Pond area in Cambridge in later years. Van and Armen were an infectiously popular pair lending entertainment, current events, and comradery to all who walked through the door. Patients turned into friends and friends turned into life-long friends. Vartan’s reputation preceded him as he built a thriving practice one block at a time of quality, compassion, and integrity … His insatiable drive to help others led to treating many of Boston’s homeless. He gave generously to many causes near and dear over the years; one of them being the Perkins School for the Blind for which he never forgot stealing an apple from as a little boy.
Vartan became involved in humanitarian activities in Armenia starting in the 1990s. He and his colleague Dr. Myron Allukian Jr. helped establish a state-of-the art free dental clinic for the Karagheusian Foundation in Nork (ultimately expanding to 5 locations). Vartan personally provided free dental care to children for one month every year for over a decade. They hosted and trained Armenian dentists in the US so that they could bring their training back to other dentists in the homeland.
The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the government awarded the Medal of St. Nersess Shnorhali to Vartan on December 30, 2007 in recognition of his humanitarian actions for the homeland.
Vartan was bestowed with an honorary fellowship on November 9, 2020 from the American Academy of Dental Science (the first and oldest honor society for the field in the world) for his years of service to the organization. He has affectionately been referred to as the “patriarch” of the group and a member for over four decades.
Vartan was a founding member and past president of the Armenian Dental Society, fellow of the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy as well as other dental societies. He remained active in teaching at the Harvard and Tufts Schools of Dental Medicine for the remainder of his profession.
Vartan was a longtime member of the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church Men’s club and former member of the St. James Choir and Executive Committee.
Van was loved by his family for his keen sense of humor, loyalty, wit, and wry smile. He was an eloquent listener and a compassionate human being who appreciated life’s simple pleasures such as a homegrown tomato, springtime flowers, and a long country drive. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, and his brother Armen’s wonderful cooking. He could be fierce in his convictions, had a penchant for telling a side-splitting joke, and a passion for collecting the finer things.
His life was forever touched by the Armenian genocide and he dedicated his to paying it forward by advancing the health of others. He had a soft spot for the underdog, the less advantaged, and the suffering.
Rest in peace with Armen gentle soul.
Visiting Hours at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, 558 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown on Monday, May 30, from 2 - 6 p.m. Funeral Service at St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown on Tuesday, May 31, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Vartan’s memory to The Howard Karagheusian Comm. Corp, 381 Park Avenue South, Suite 617, New York, N Y 10016 or the Takuhe Ghugasian Memorial Award Fund of St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472 or the Armenia Tree Project (armeniatree.org).
Masks are required in the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home and in the St. James Armenian Church. COVID distancing in the receiving line and pews is also required.